Sermons on A Advent 1:

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Dec 18, 2001

This catchy slogan has appearred on commercial Christmas material for ages. The implications of the statement bothers me. What does it mean? What is it’s implication for us?

The story goes an angel appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean that in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, the Lord will reward him with his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom. "Done!" says the angel, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

All Ye Jigs And Juleps, Praise The Lord

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 3, 2010

The whole created order finds joy in the coming of Christ. It’s time we truly celebrated, either by doing something good for ourselves or by helping someone else.

The psalm which we just read together was paraphrased many years ago by Archbishop Cranmer as a great hymn of praise, used for generations in the Church of England. Its Latin name is "Benedicite omnia opera": "Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord". This hymn is a long recitation of many of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 148:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Contributed by John A. Peck on Nov 3, 2009

A short Christmas message

During the Christmas season, I confess how much I love to listen to Christmas carols. They calm the heart, and give hope to the soul. The churning mind is quenched, and peace, real peace, seems effortlessly within my reach. How sad it is that so many people find it a time of terrible despair and ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Peace: Ready, Set, Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

Peace comes hard for some at Christmas. We must be open to what God wants to give, we must get down to what God wants us to be doing, and we must find meaning in our ordinary pursuits.

National Baptist Memorial Church, Washington, DC, Dec. 19, 2004 These are stressful days. There is too much going on. Too much work, too much to think about, too many demands. Stressful. We’d really like some peace, wouldn’t we? Just a moment or two of quiet – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Peace On Earth Goodwill To All"

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Dec 5, 2010

Can we really achieve peace on earth and goodwill to all?

Peace On Earth – Goodwill To All This is the Christmas season. In his gospel Luke, recording the eyewitnesses of those around him, wrote these powerful words; “While the shepherds were in the fields watching their sheep by night, an Angel appeared before them to announce the great news of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Christian Church

"Looking At Jesus From Behind Prison Bars"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 8, 2010

A sermon which asks the question, "Where do we find ourselves this Christmas season?"

Matthew 11:2-11 “Looking at Jesus from Behind Prison Bars” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN www.eastridgeumc.com An amateur actor friend of mine told me about an experience she had while performing in a local play. Now, even though she ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"Finding Joy In The Season Of Christmas"

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Dec 12, 2010

Especially at Christmas we are reminded how important it is to find joy in our lives.

Finding Joy in the Season of Christmas Back in 1975 I learned a valuable lesson about joy and time, and I learned how many hours are in a week. I also learned about the power of prayer and leaning on God to endure, finding joy in all things. As a naive and much too enthusiastic youth director ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Christian Church

It’s A New Season

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Dec 14, 2010

This message is a prophetic word to shift you into your new season

Three Kings not to mention all their armies, and animals found themselves in a desperate situation (they had went seven days in the wilderness and they had no water). This is a dilemma: water is a necessity of life, it’s not an extra or luxury it’s necessary to sustain life. Without it you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:1-20, 2 Kings 3:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Promise, Shame, And Fulfillment

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 28, 2010

Advent 1986: Everyone goes through a dynamic of promise, leading to shame, then leading to fulfillment, if we understand fulfillment as the presence of God.

I like the little quip about the fellow who offered His prayer with all sincerity and with tremendous urgency. “Lord," he said, "Lord, give me the gift of patience, and give it to me right now!” Well, at least he knew his need even if he did not exactly demonstrate an understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Prince Of Peace: The Wounded Spirit Whole

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 29, 2010

Advent 1987: Many of us live with deep disappointments, profoundly wounded spirits. Whole nations so live, thanks to the scourge of war. Christ, the Word Made Flesh, does more than tell us to "get over it." He stands beside us, with us.

Jim, as I will call him, was a successful pastor, acclaimed for his preaching skill, sought out for his wisdom, almost worshipped by the flocks of young adults who came to the church he served. It seemed he could do no wrong and that he had it all together, from here on out. Nothing, it seemed, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

To Welcome The Child Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

This sermon looks at how Mary and Joseph welcomed the Christ child into their lives and the implications for our lives and our Christmas

To Welcome the Child Luke 2:21-40 Norman Vincent Peale writes of spending Christmas in Africa with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was hesitant but his wife told him he would love every minute of it. And yet, as Christmas day approached he was troubled because everything Christmas was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Methodist

Come: To A Harvested Self

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 5, 2009

Evil and good live side by side, so we need to accept our sinfulness in order to receive our salvation. God in Christ takes on Himself the penalty we should receive.

It would seem that the negative things in life grow of their own accord, but that the good things, positive things, take a lot of work. If you are at all a pessimist, you will agree that bad things, destructive things, just happen. Nobody has to make them happen. They happen on their own. But good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of Simeon, At Christmas?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 10, 2014

Even in Advent, the song of Simeon, does not appear as being festive; but it is necessary in the build-up to meet with Jesus; and I will warn you just now, it pushes our faith to the limit; but it does provide relieve.

Welcome Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Today is the first Sunday of Advent and the children this morning will be retiring to the hall to make our Advent wreath and they will bring it into the service after the Intercessions so that the first candle can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:2-40

Denomination: Episcopal

The Difference A Child Maakes: Zechariah Discovers Hope

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

What would Zechariah say if he were suddenly dropped in our world? Perhaps he would tell us about his struggle to maintain hope and how God came and met his deepest longings.

Good morning. My name is Zechariah. I understand from your pastor that you observe this day as the Second Sunday in Advent and that you are preparing yourselves for the birth of the Messiah. Well, I was there when God was first preparing Israel for the Messiah. And so your pastor asked me to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-17

Are You The One?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 15, 2019

Are we are sure we are ready?

Are you the One? Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist is the subject of a lot of sermons preached through the Christian season of Advent. And, indeed, it should be, as Advent is a season of preparation. Unlike what is commonly believed, Advent is not a season to prepare us for Christmas, to receive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible