Sermons on Advent I:

Taking Christ Out Of Christmas

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 2, 2023

If Christmas has become a "cultural" holiday, This message looks at what happens when we try and take out all of the religious elements.

Have you noticed that every year, people seem more intent on secularizing Christmas? They wish you a “Happy Holiday” or “Seasons Greetings” and then have presentations at school that make no mention of the Manger or the Wise Men, let alone the Christ Child. Now, I may be a little overly sensitive, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Grace Your Home With More Than Decorations Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 10, 2009

First Sunday of Advent in this series: Anticipation and expectation for a wonderful & worshipful Christmas sets the stage for a different type of season.

John Calvin, the Reformer most responsible for what we know as Presbyterianism, disliked statues, artwork, icons and the like which were used in Catholic worship in the 1500’s. He had good reason; for the depictions, relics and the like worship they themselves had become objects of worship. Yet, in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Wise Men

Contributed by Jesse Crooks on Dec 30, 2023

These men came in search of the Christ Child .

The Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12) 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Fruit For Christmas

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 14, 2015

John the Baptist (and John Wesley, too) said that repentance would bear fruit in a changed life. Preparing for the coming of Christ means living and life of repentance and bearing the fruit that reflects that repentance.

Merry Christmas. Here’s your orange. No joke. An orange was a pretty common Christmas gift in years gone by, especially during the Great Depression. A child would awaken on Christmas morning to find a stocking stuffed with an orange, and apple, perhaps a banana, a few nuts, and if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Heart Of Christmas Is Joy Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 21, 2022

This is an adaptation to the sermon from the series 'The Heart of Christmas' on Sermon Central

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD? www.mycrossway.org Watch this message at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/171848 It can be easy to get lost in all the gifts, decorations, and parties and miss the central focus of Christmas. Jesus was born to bring ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:9

Denomination: Brethren

Anticipating Messiah -- His Practice Series

Contributed by David Welch on Dec 29, 2008

Second in the advent series anticipating His coming through the study of OT propehecy. This focus of this message is what Messiah will do?

2nd Sunday of Advent “The PRACTICE of Messiah” What will He do? INTRODUCTION Advent means arrival, start, coming, beginning, dawn. Christmas commemorates the first advent; the first coming of Jesus Christ. Every Jew and many Gentiles anticipated the coming of the Messiah promised all through the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:18-19

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Firm Foundation/ Quicksand

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jun 20, 2008

Advent message that allows us to apply the principal of building on a firm foundation

SC 6/20/08 FIRM FOUNDATION/ QUICK SAND MATTHEW 7:24-29 INTRO- THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS A HECTIC TIME THERE ARE DEADLINES TO MEET. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Nazarene

Peace On Earth

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Mar 24, 2020

We might read a Christmas card that says "Peace on Earth" and not think anything of it. But the hope of God's peace is revolutionary.

In years past at Christmas time you would see the phrase, “Peace on Earth,” quite a bit. It might be on a banner in a store window or on Christmas cards or decorations in someone’s front yard. We did get one Christmas card with the phrase, but not as many as in years past. As the years go by we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14

Sharing Christmas Greetings Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Dec 12, 2008

Vital ways God taught us to share Christmas greetings.

Ever wondered where the idea of Christmas greetings came from? Why do we greet others with “Merry Christmas” and send Christmas cards, letters and emails? The idea comes from God. God was the first Christmas greeter and He didn’t send a card or even an email to say, “Merry Christmas” to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

O Little Town Of Bethlehem Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 1, 2024

We sing O Little Town of Bethlehem, but it seems like a strange choice for Mary and Joseph to travel 120 km when Mary was "Great with Child". This message seeks to answer some of the questions

O Little Town of Bethlehem, So you probably know the story, the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her the exciting news, she’s going to be a mom, even though she is still a virgin, they work out the details but then there is the entire process of telling her parents and her fiancé, in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Prince Of Peace Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Dec 22, 2008

One day Christ, the Prince of Peace, will bring peace to this earth, and today he can give you peace with God and the peace of God.

To us a child is born, to us a son is given... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is the Prince of Peace. On the night of His birth, the angels announced that peace was coming to the earth. “Do not be afraid. I bring you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

"god With Us: Our Savior"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 30, 2020

Jesus came to save us from our sins.

“God with Us: The Savior” Matthew 1:20b-21 Excited about Christmas, a little boy was finishing a letter to Santa with a list of the Christmas presents he badly wanted. And then, just to make sure he had covered all his bases, he decided to send his Christmas wish list to Jesus as well. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Jesus’s Christmas Wish

Contributed by Mark Vann on Dec 15, 2022

Jesus wishes that all are saved.

Christmas Poem O come all ye faithful, to the little town of Bethlehem, Because in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light, It was a silent night, an O holy night, Oh what a sight as the harold angels sing, But Mary said He’s coming soon, but there is no room, As she reminded Joseph ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9

Anticipating Messiah - His Person Series

Contributed by David Welch on Dec 29, 2008

First in a four part Advent Series following the prophecies of Messiah’s coming to build anticipating for Christmas.

“The PERSON of Messiah” Who Is He? INTRODUCTION Advent means arrival, start, coming, beginning, dawn. Christmas commemorates the first advent of Jesus Christ. Every Jew and many Gentiles looked forward to the coming of the Messiah promised all through the Hebrew Scriptures. God imbedded details of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Zechariah And Elizabeth – A Story Of Hope Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 9, 2016

Advent is the good news that there is hope regardless of your situation

Most of you are probably familiar with the classic Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The movie begins with George Bailey about to commit suicide in Bedford Falls, New York on Christmas Eve in 1945. As the prayers of his friends are heard in heaven an angel apprentice named ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-66

Denomination: Baptist