Sermons on Bcp Sunday Before Advent:

What Have You Learned From The Wise Men?

Contributed by Wm. Darryl Scott Sr D.d. on Nov 30, 2002

We sing about these wise men, and then rarely act like wise men ourselves? What can we learn from them?

IN MANY NATIVITY SCENES COMMEMORATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS ONE CAN ALWAYS CATCH A GLIMPSE OF “THE WISE MEN”. WE SEE THEM REPRESENTED ON CHRISTMAS CARDS, WE HEAR AND SING SONGS SUNG ABOUT THEM AND THEIR COURAGEOUS JOURNEY. MOST HOLIDAY SCENARIOS SUGGEST THAT THESE MEN (WHO TRADITION SAYS ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Two Ways To Reclaim The Season Series

Contributed by Joseph Hughes on Dec 7, 2002

Jesus’ words in Mark 13 sound strange this time of year, but they remind us that the season is about the redemption of the world not the resurrection of the "bottom line."

First Sunday in Advent -December 1, 2002 The Holy Gospel - Mark 13:24-37 13:24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 13:25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 13:26 Then they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Pursuing A Tradition Of Seeing God's Reality Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 10, 2004

The reality of the world around us is NOT the reality of being a Christ-follower. How do we cultivate this true-sight in a world that is so often blind

One pleasant surprise while in Mexico last month was seeing a total lunar eclipse. It would have been nice to have had Rick’s telescope down there but most nights there was just too much light from the area to really see many stars. Yet, as the moon took on its orange glow from the shadow of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus, The Sustainer, Is With Us Series

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Jun 9, 2005

Advent Series

Sermon preached by Pastor Larry Brincefield on Sunday, December 5, 2004 at Belleview Church of the Nazarene Title: Jesus the Sustainer with us. Text: John 6:29-40 Introduction 1. A little boy named Billy was taking to his mother after church… He said, “my Sunday School teacher told me that ...read more

Scripture: John 6:29-40

Denomination: Nazarene

Times Up

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Dec 27, 2004

Those that wait on the Lord are included in the kingdom.

Acknowledgement – I found great value in a Christmas Sermon series by Darren Ethier – A fellow contributor to this site. His sermons are called “Christmas Perspectives Series.” Times UP! Luke 2:21-39 To get everyone up to speed as to where we are for the sermon today. I have been sharing with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-39

Denomination: Congregational

In The Service Of The King Series

Contributed by Travis Jarrett on Mar 4, 2009

Part 5 of 7 in the teaching series "Storybooks, Fairytales & the Life God Wants You to Have."

Discussion: On a scale of 1-10, how well do you respond to CHANGE? :: Girl, Interrupted Luke 1:26-29 “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-29

Denomination: *other

Prepare For The Powerful One

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 6, 2002

how John prepared the people for Christ and how we also do

December 8, 2002 Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”- “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

What Christmas Should Mean

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 9, 2002

The meaning of Christmas is often lost in our secular celebrations.

INTRODUCTION A. Where did the celebration come from 1. Origin of the festival is unknown 2. Derived in part from rites held by German and Celtic people to celebrate the winter solstice 3. Christmas festivals have been observed by Christians since the 4th century 4. Incorporate, as many of our other ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest News

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 9, 2002

We live in times with a lot of bad news. This is a positive sermon centered around Christmas’ great announcement of the angels to the shepherds.

December 8, 2002 You can do this just about any day. Pick up the newspaper, or flip on CNN. Of the six prominent lead stories on the front page of the paper, five will have the following words: "TRIAL....DANGEROUS...FRAUD...MURDER....DOWNTURN!" It doesn’t get much better on the inside ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Embrace The World Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 1, 2002

We embrace the world, as Simeon did, when we embrace faith, hope, and love as we both embrace and are embraced by Christ.

Introduction: “Last Christmas, This Christmas e-mail forward” “If you have e-mail, perhaps you received one entitled Merry Christmas that said something like this;” Last Christmas, we were thinking about all the things we didn’t have; this Christmas, we are thinking about all the things we do ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Church Of God

Church Life 101

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 1, 2003

How God’s people are to act towards one another

THE PASTOR’S POINTS sermon ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC (Lighting of the First Candle in Advent) November 30, 2003 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.” John 8:12 (GWT) Have you ever ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, John 8:12

Denomination: United Methodist

An Unwanted Gift: When God Messes Up Your Plans Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Dec 15, 2005

Chrismtas Realities - Part 4. What happens when God interrupts your plans and your world gets turned upside down?

AN UNWANTED GIFT: WHEN GOD MESSES UP YOUR PLANS Christmas Realities – Part 4 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2005 Luke 1:26-38 INTRODUCTION: As the Baby Boomers begin to move into retirement age starting next year we are no longer talking about a baby boom, but about a baby bust. In fact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Expectations Across The Pond

Contributed by Quint Pitts on Dec 9, 2009

This sermon examines the expecations surrounding the arrival of the Messiah. It is designed in Antiphonal format with Christmas carols interspersed throughout.

EXPECTATIONS ACROSS THE POND Christmas Around the World—Part 1 In other parts of the world you might find yourself celebrating Christmas by skiing down a mountain side with a lighted torch in your hand…strewing hay on the floor of your home…knocking on a neighbors door in a symbolic pilgrimage. ...read more

Denomination: *other

Behold The Power Of The Potter

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 18, 2005

This sermon reflects on God’s power to harden the hearts of the Israelites, and how God wants us to respond in light of such judgment.

November 27, 2005 Isaiah 63:16-17 , 64:1-8 You, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance. 1 Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

The Year Of The Lord's Favor Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Dec 17, 2012

When the angels proclaimed the birth of Christ they brought tidings of great joy! Joy is better than happiness for it does not depend on the cirucmstances of life but rather the person of Christ!

The Year of the Lord’s Favor (2) - Isaiah 61 - December 16, 2012 As I begin this morning I want to invite you to take a moment to consider the first question in your sermon notes. That question asks you to complete this statement: “Happiness is ….” And then ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-6

Denomination: *other