Sermons on A Advent 1:

Altered Plans

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 23, 2019

Joseph was open to God's instructions and changing his intended actions.

December 22, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Matthew 1:18-25 Altered Plans Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Differing translations of the Bible can prompt us to reconsider a passage. For instance, the Good News ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

His Birthday Wish

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 9, 2011

I believe Jesus’ birthday wish would be that the world will know why He has come. Do you really know the love and sacrifice behind this gift?

We have our birthday wishes, but what would Jesus wish for on His birthday? What do you think He would really want? • To have a party where there are lots of food? A great time of feasting? A year-end holiday filled with fun and joy? Lots of presents? • Or do you think He would really want ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Of The Overlooked Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on Mar 17, 2009

The God of the oppressed is also the God of the overlooked and that God’s love is encompassing, God’s love is embracing, and God’s love is enduring.

God of the Overlooked Luke 2: 8-15 Luke 2:10 “I bring you good news of great joy” Over thirty years ago, Dr. James Cone, Professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York, wrote a breakthrough book in Black Theology called “God of the Oppressed.” This book catapulted Dr. Cone to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Peace Series

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 18, 2012

To extend the gift of peace to people during a busy time of year.

[S] In just a few more days we will celebrate the most spectacular event in all of human history. The general population calls it Christmas or Winter Break or Happy Holidays, but we know it as the birth of the Messiah. We tend to celebrate the event with the giving and receiving of gifts as ...read more

Scripture: John 2:8-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Good News Of Christ

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 2, 2014

The Gospel is good news when you respond, and we have the hope of eternity is His return.

The Good News of Christ Introduction- This morning marks the beginning of Advent. The 4 weeks prior to Christmas. It is a time set aside for waiting in expectation for the celebration of the Christ child. For believers in 2014, we celebrate that Christ the savior has come and we anticipate ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Are You Ready For Christmas?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 17, 2019

God himself laid the foundation for Jesus' ministry through the work of John the Baptist. Our life will be a waste if we don't build on God's foundation.

Well, are you all ready for Christmas? Shopping done? Wrapping done? Tree up? Decorating done? Christmas cards done? Cooking done? Me, neither. Feel exhausted just thinking about it? All those jobs that are part of preparing for Christmas can make December a very hectic month. And there is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

Here I Am To Worship

Contributed by Michael Bolin on Dec 25, 2010

Discerning true worship from the example of the "Magi."

Good morning! I hope everyone has had a great Christmas. I want to thank each of you for being here this morning. Christmas is behind us and how many have taken that deep sigh of relief? This holiday season isn’t over and the Christmas story isn’t done. We have looked at Joseph, Mary, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

"getting Ready For Christmas: Pointing Beyond Ourselves"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 5, 2018

Do our lives point Godward?

“Getting Ready for Christmas: Pointing Beyond Ourselves” Jeremiah 10:1-5 A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a restaurant with a friend when my attention went to a Christmas tree in the corner of the room. It had different colored lights, ornaments of silver and gold and a bright red bow on ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:1-5

Denomination: United Methodist

A World Where Nothing Is Lost

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 28, 2008

A fish that would not die symbolized the Christ who is able to give a relationship that will never end, as opposed to our typical dependence on things or on information to make us secure.

We have, at our house, a small miracle. I can only call it a miracle. Maybe we ought to build a small shrine to house this miracle. The miracle is the incredible, indestructible fish. Our own private incredible, indestructible fish. You see, from time to time somebody in our household will decide ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-40

Denomination: Baptist

A Promise In The Darkness

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Isaiah the prophet communicated the prophecy about Immanuel to Ahaz. An angel communicated the promise of Jesus to Joseph. Ahaz responded in fear. Joseph responded in trust.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Most of you are familiar with the story: Joseph had learned that Mary was with child, and he was making plans to divorce her quietly. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying to Joseph: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Tale Of Two Kings

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

There would have appeared to be no contest in a contest between the great King Herod and the little baby Jesus. But Jesus' power of humility and holiness and obedience to God, displayed at Christmas was greater then and continues today.

Our text for this morning is Luke 2:1-7, the story of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You’ve probably heard it many, many times before. Can there be anything new in it, any way that this ancient text relates to our world today? Let’s see. I encourage you to open your Bible to it as Linda ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

He Is Not A Puppy Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Dec 28, 2025

A sermon portraying the controversial Christmas Christ. The God who acts (do we want him to act?). The God who instructs (how uncomfortable are his instructions). The God who rescues (Because, yes, we need the weight of our messes to be lifted from us).

This sermon was first preached (with slightly less visuals in 2007 at Holy Trinity Barkingside, then again in 2025 at St Christopher's Hanwell. ................................................................ [holding a cardboard box] – So I’ve got here a controversial statement. Now what I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7, Hebrews 1:1-12, Isaiah 52:7-10, Titus 3:4-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Waiting For Christmas

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 28, 2010

It’s obvious why kids look forward to Christmas. But today we’re going to look at two people who were looking forward in eager anticipation for a much different reason.

INTRODUCTION: Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait until Christmas arrived? When my brother and I were young, my Mom would have this Christmas calendar with cotton balls stuck to each of the squares. Each day we took turns taking a cotton ball off. We were excited to do so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas On Purpose Series

Contributed by David Rumley on Dec 21, 2009

Learning from the heralding messages of the Angels to the Shepherds. In this first message of our Christmas series we learn to respond like the shepherds... to pause our normal activity, search out Christ, and come to a place of worship. This series conc

THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS Luke 2: 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 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Putting The World Right Again

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 17, 2019

Mary had pretty impressive understanding of what God was doing as she treasured in her heart the thoughts about the baby in her womb

This morning we’ll continue following the Christmas story through the eyes of Mary, the mother of Jesus, an amazing young woman. Think with me about what must have been going through Mary’s mind and the emotions she felt in the early months of her pregnancy with Jesus. She had seen an angel who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:29-36