Sermons on A Advent 1:

Nothing Will Ever Be The Same Again

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon (centred on the lyrics of a Graham kendrick song) asking how much difference Christmas makes in reality.

Most of us will break the law this Christmas ! The list of activities that are illegal to do on Christmas Day is fascinating & ridiculous. These laws have never been repealed and are still officially on the Statute Books: It is illegal to ride or drive to church, and illegal not to attend. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Here I Am Lord

Contributed by Todd Kornahrens on Dec 24, 2005

We can learn a lot from the faith of young Mary when she encounters the Angel Gabriel

One of the aspects of the Christmas Story that always fascinates and amazes me is the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus It shows us the power of our God, that he can change the rules of nature he can do things that have never been done before to accomplish his will That through the gift of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Eye Witness News 2 - Shepherds (Advent 2, 2009) Series

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Jan 2, 2010

This series approaches the Christmas Story by examining the lives of those present from a very historical perspective. This is week two focusing on the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-12 NIV 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Based On The Evidence Series

Contributed by Jason Duncan on Dec 18, 2007

The third in a series of messages based on the Matthew texts chosen by the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent of 2007.

Judgment and Trouble in the World **The opening illustration is based on pages 299-321 from the book Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides. In the fall of 1849, a fur trapper named James White became frustrated with the slow moving pace of his wagon train along the Santa Fe trail. White, his young ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bethlehem Discovery

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Dec 19, 2007

An Advent sermon, following the theme of an adventure: the plan, the journey, the discovery.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do you ever examine the deeper meaning of commonly used words? Take the word “discovery,” for example. It is fairly common in our vocabulary. Someone may say, “The other day I discovered a six-month old tub of cottage cheese in the back of my refrigerator. It ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

I've Got Joy?

Contributed by Carla Powell on Dec 22, 2007

This sermon was preached on Gaudete (Joy) Sunday (3rd sunday in Advent). I wasn’t feeling very joy-filled, though I felt called to preach on joy (and used that hesitancy as part of the sermon focus). It’s my best "grumpy sermon on joy" ever.

It’s been a rough couple weeks for me. My wallet was stolen last Wednesday. My step-grandfather died – two days ago. I woke up feeling sick and lost my voice - yesterday. Almost got stuck in the snow last night. Had to park around the corner and traipse home in the deep snow with the wind whipping ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

All I (Really) Want For Christmas

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 23, 2007

Like Joseph, we think we want freedom from embarassment, but we really want love. We think we want an ordinary life, but we really want to be special. We think we want a little support, but we get the presence of the Living God

What do you want for Christmas? I hope there’s somebody in your life who is asking that question. I am not one of those who thinks we should do away with gift-giving at Christmas. Yes, it gets out of hand. And yes, it’s very commercial. But still, gift-giving is a part of the joy of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Looking For? A Miracle? Series

Contributed by Jay Winters on Dec 24, 2007

This is the last in a series of Isaiah sermons in Advent all starting with the same question - "What are you looking for?" In this one, we consider the background story of the familiar passage found in Isaiah 7 and the sin of overwhelming "modesty" in bel

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who is Emmanuel. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Lord spoke to Ahaz – “Ask a sign of the Lord your God, let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as the heavens.” It sounds like something that we would ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Denomination: Lutheran

What Are You Looking For? A Way Back? Series

Contributed by Jay Winters on Dec 24, 2007

This was the 3rd Sunday in Advent. The people in Jerusalem were looking for a way back...but what God gives them instead of a way back is a way forward, a way on.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who brings us the way of His holiness. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There was once a water carrier in India whose job it was to bring water from the river to his master’s house. Day after day, he would ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Humble Beginnings

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 24, 2007

The humble beginnings of Jesus in Bethlehem are not really so humble at all because he came to deliver all of us regardless of our place on the economic ladder or position in society.

Humble Beginnings Luke 2:8-20 December 16, 2007 A couple of years ago, Toni and I were trying to get home from vacation. Our plans called for us to catch a plane out of Miami International Airport to Chicago and then on to Fort Wayne. The problem occurred when we arrived in Miami just a day ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

It Isn't Fair Lord

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Jan 3, 2008

A meditation in 2 parts - a Christian complaining about how awful Christmas has become, & God’s response. I included the Christmas story from Luke in the service.

A CHRISTIAN AT PRAYER Lord it just isn’t fair the way they treat us at Christmas time. We’d worked hard to put on the specials this year. Harder than ever perhaps. Did they come – did they heckers like. And the crowds down in town this year seemed bigger too Lord. From the moment they switched ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Be Strong! Do Not Be Afraid. Here Is Your God

Contributed by Carl Benge on Jan 5, 2008

Advent Sermon Year A...John the Baptist and his doubt of faith

Have you ever found your self in a position, where you were certain you were doing the right thing? And then suddenly it seemed everything went to all wrong? Well that is the kind of situation we see John the Baptist faced in our reading from Matthew. Remember John was at the height of his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:47-55

Denomination: Methodist

Wake Up And Love Your Neighbor

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 23, 2007

Approaching Christmas is often a difficult time to love the people around us. Sometimes we need a little encouragment to do so.

Mitch had worked hard all week on his studies. He wrote papers, studied for tests, took exams all week and finally it was Friday. It was time to pick up his friends and go home to visit his family for the weekend. Since it had been such a difficult week, he was exhausted. He decided to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

A Maiden's Christmas Song

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

Joy, gratitude, and mercy, are a part of our calling as Christians. We often do more this time of year, but our calling extends beyond the Christmas holiday, our calling is a part of our lives every day. I can’t help but think that Mary didn’t just sing

At the turn of the 18th century, Christmas could be a very dangerous time for ordinary common folk like us. Back in those days, it was customary for bands of young men to go door-to-door, demanding food and drink and in exchange provide a song for the household’s entertainment. If nothing was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Methodist

A Tale Of Two Angels

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

How did Mary know she was encountering an angel. How do we know if we have an angelic encounter?

In the spring of 1982 Kenneth Nordvall was the speaker at a Morning Prayer group that meets in a town near Springfield Illinois. Before he spoke, a neighboring pastor shared about a recent mission trip to Mexico. While his group was returning, their van developed mechanical problems. After ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Methodist