Sermons on Bethlehem:

Look Forward, Not Back

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 28, 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

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

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

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

Advent: Magi & Gifts Series

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Dec 22, 2020

God has provided salvation through Jesus as His free gift.

Advent: Magi & Gifts December 20, 2020 Morning Service Fourth Sunday of Advent Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: God has provided salvation through Jesus as His free gift. Focus Passage: Matthew 2:1-16 Introduction: Talk personally about some strange gifts you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

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

"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

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

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

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

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

"Two Miracles, Two Expecting”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 16, 2021

“Expecting” is the word we use when a woman is pregnant. Mary and Elizabeth are miraculously expecting a baby. God's plan for the salvation of humanity and the defeat of Satan's authority enter human history at Bethlehem. Includes a quote from Josh McDowell.

In Jesus Holy Name December 19, 2021 Text: Luke 1:39,56 Redeemer “Two Miracles, Two Expecting” Some of you had the good fortune of attending a baby shower last Sunday after church. Baby showers are joyous occasions. Everyone celebrates the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39

Denomination: Lutheran

Missing Christmas: The Innkeeper Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 8, 2021

We’re doing this little three-part series entitled The Characters of Christmas in order to see the magic of Christmas in the faces of those who first experience its warmth and joy.

No one wants to miss Christmas. “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose” – who would want to miss such a magical experience? But how do you get the most out of Christmas – the full experience of Christmas? Yes, you’ll watch your favorite Christmas movies, and you’ll ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Over The River And Through The Wood Series

Contributed by Jeff Armbrester on Dec 22, 2004

The theme is final preparations. This worship experience will focus on the excitement and stress of the final week before the big event. Mary and Joseph had to make a long journey to Bethlehem. We have last-minute shopping and dinner plans to make. And in

The Crandles are not as bad as we thought. They have decided to have a Merry Christmas by putting forth the effort to get along and enjoy each other. What about you? How are your Christmas plans coming? Are you getting excited? Or, is worry and fear getting a grip on you? As you travel “Over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Real Heart Of Christmas

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Nov 11, 2006

The real Christmas story begins long before the birth of that baby boy in Bethlehem; it begins in a place called Heaven, the home of God. Something took place in the mind and heart of God that made it all possible. That something is what was expressed by

It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army in London, England was near the end of his life. His health was poor, and he was going to be unable to attend the Army’s annual convention. Booth had become an invalid, and his eyesight was failing him. No one knew ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational