Sermons on bethlehem:

Why These Particular Shepherds?

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 29, 2002

The night our Savior was born in Bethlehem there were many other shepherds watching over flocks in the Judean hill country. This outline submits some thoughts as to why these particular shepherds were so highly honored.

WHY THESE PARTICULAR SHEPHERDS? Now there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.” Luke 2:8-9. There were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Dec 4, 2019

It is hard to believe that December is already here. And with December upon us, as a church, we need to go back and visit the area of Nazareth and Bethlehem and see what all that excitement was about some 2000 years ago.

Introduction: It is hard to believe that December is already here. And with December upon us, as a church, we need to go back and visit the area of Nazareth and Bethlehem and see what all that excitement was about some 2000 years ago. To us, looking back at the events that unfolded, it is called ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Light That Leads The Way

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 2, 2015

Only by wading into the life that Christ offers and letting it wash away our sins, our false identity, our injustice and selfishness, our commitment to violence will we be recognized and worship the One who is coming in Bethlehem.

John 1:6-8, 19-28 sets the stage for Christ’s ministry. John the Baptist was the witness to the light of Christ. He was the light that would lead people to Christ. Jesus would fulfill the expectations the Jews had regarding the long-expected Messiah, but not in the way many Jews expected. He ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Anglican

Not My Favorite Christmas

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Pause and imagine Joseph explaining everything to his parents. “Yes, mom, as I told you earlier. Mary is a good young lady, and we didn’t do anything. She is “with child” because of the Holy Spirit, and I didn’t lay a hand on her. I know it’s hard to believe, but I promise you it’s true.”

No one wants to miss the magic of Christmas. And no one wants to have anything less than a fantastic Christmas holiday experience. Christmas is this wonderful time of year, and we want to spread that unmitigated joy to everyone! But there are just some Christmases that we don’t have the joy that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Christmas Star

Contributed by Richard Stevens on Sep 17, 2024

The Star of Christmas is not the star that led the Maji from Mesopotamia to Jerusalem and ultimately to Bethlehem. It's not the star on the top of our Christmas tree, not Santa Claus, not our good feelings, good will, gifts, hopes for peace, celebrations or any of the rest.

SLIDE – Introduction I want to talk a little while this morning about the Star of Christmas. Now, I’m NOT talking about the Star that appeared to the Maji. That Star they led from Mesopotamia over to Jerusalem. That Star that King Herod couldn’t see and didn’t know about. So, Herod called ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-15, Luke 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Look Forward, Not Back

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 29, 2017

Advent is a season when we look forward to the coming of Jesus, both His first coming born in Bethlehem and his second coming in power and great glory - are we ready? 'Be on your guard.' ‘KEEP AWAKE!

LOOK FORWARD, NOT BACK MK. 13:33-37. Today we start a new Christian year and that is marked in our lectionary by our gospel readings coming from St. Mark. Mark is unusual as it is the only synoptic gospel which does not give an account of the birth of Jesus. But it does speak of when Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:33-37

"Does The Resurrection Of Jesus Really Matter?"

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Mar 28, 2002

Easter often seems to be more about “Cadbury Bunnies, and new clothes” The events surrounding an itinerant teacher from Bethlehem are buried somehow by many in the celebration of spring and Easter dinners. Does the resurrection of Jesus really matter?

West Greeley Baptist Church March 31st 2002 “Does the resurrection of Jesus really matter?” 1st Corinthians 15:16-20 Pastor Mark Hensley 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

"God's Glorious Gospel Glows In The Dark”

Contributed by Daniel Schroeder on Dec 29, 2001

Christmas lights and decorations still up means you are celebrating Christmas, the Gentile Christmas - Epiphany. On this festival we celebrate that the Savior born in Bethlehem shines out good news to all nations that he is the Savior of all.

“God’s Glorious Gospel Glows In The Dark” I. Lighting up the sin-darkened world II. Attracting people from all nations Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I suppose its not too late to find people still celebrating the Christmas season in Jackson. Yes, you probably have seen a few ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

A Right Response Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Dec 20, 2005

How do you respond to the news a savior is born in Bethlehem? Many people repond in different ways, yet the shepherds responded correctly. This is number 3 in a 4 part series "I’m dreaming of a right christmas"

Introduction – You just might not be responding to Christians properly . . . If you turn on the lawn sprinklers on Christmas Eve to keep carolers away If you get your Christmas tree at a rest stop at night If you give bathroom fixtures as Christmas gifts If your favorite Christmas movie is Jurassic ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making The Right Turn To Jesus

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Dec 22, 2007

Christmas Eve sermon. The wisemen made a wrong turn. Instead of following the star all the way to Bethlehem, they thought the new King would be born in a royal palace. They eventually got it right. This message is for those who are at crossroads in their

Dear brothers and sisters, have you ever made a wrong turn in your travels? I know I have! My misadventures usually come from taking the wrong exit off a freeway. Thirty some odd years ago I drove from new York to Seattle. As you may know, getting out of New York City is not the easiest thing in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Birth Announcement

Contributed by Jeff Waibel on Sep 24, 2016

2,000 years ago everyone was watching the Roman empire, but the most important event happened in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. A baby was born and the birth was so important the birth announcement was sent 700 years earlier.

So I am reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy right now. When you undertake some task as crazy as reading War and Peace, you have to work it into conversations as often as you can. Anyway, War and Peace is set during the Napoleonic wars from about 1803-1815. The book really makes the point that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 4:12-16

Denomination: *other

How The Grinch Almost Stole Christmas Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 5, 2015

Who could hate Christmas. A poor teenage bride her husband are forced to make a long trip. With no place to stay but a barn, the girl gives birth to a son. But there was a Grinch in Bethlehem who tried to steal the first Christmas.

How the Grinch (ALMOST) Stole Christmas Play clip from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” first few lines You hear that story and you think that must be make believe because who could hate Christmas. What is to hate? A sweet little poor teenage bride her husband are forced to make a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Is For Purity Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 15, 2021

Purity is to be prized by categorically every one of God’s children. The last text I read puts it in stark terms: If you don’t prize purity, then you’re not a child of God.

In a California neighborhood in 2009 one resident decorated his lawn with a depiction of Jesus shooting Santa Claus with a double-barrel shotgun. Fox News had reported that Jesus points the weapon at Santa’s dead body while Rudolph lays sprawled across the hood of a pick-up truck. The creator, Ron ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:5, Romans 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas - I Am The Lord’s Servant!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 16, 2019

She was a young girl, living in an obscure village in a humble, farming area. And she was pregnant - a scandalous situation for a young, unmarried teenager.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Luke 1:26-38, 46-49; 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 ILL. He was an impressive man in his 50's, vice-president ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46-49, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Silent Night

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 16, 2015

On a silent night nearly 2000 years ago the cry of a newborn baby ushered in a new beginning for mankind. A saviour had arrived one who would set us free for all eternity. His cry is the one the whole world longs for but finds so very difficult to hear.

Silent Night Matthew 1:18-2:12 Who is this Jesus and why has He come in this way? Why did God use this Jewish couple to reveal the Messiah to the world? If God wanted to save the world from sin why didn’t He make it big news? Why reveal His plan in such an ordinary understated ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed