Sermons on Christmas Preparation:

Unexpected!

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 7, 2015

John the Baptist was an unexpected person bringing an unexpected message at an unexpected time. A communion sermon for Advent.

Every one of us has certain expectations at Christmas. We expect to buy gifts and we expect to receive gifts. We expect the lights and the colors and the sights and the sounds of the season. We expect to eat a lot! We expect long lines in the department stores, and apparently this year more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Ready - Or Not? #1 Series

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Nov 26, 2008

A SERMON FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Jesus says to keep watch, keep awake - to be ready and prepared. A call to put our spiritual ’house’ in order to welcome him.

Mark 13:24-37 A TIME OF CELEBRATION IS AT HAND! Yes, a time of celebration is at hand – a new year begins today! “But”, I hear you say, “hang on a sec! It isn’t January 1st, it’s November 30!” Ah, true it is, but just the same, a new year begins today! The Church’s new year, that is. Today ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ready - Or Not? #2 Series

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Dec 3, 2008

A SERMON FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT: John the Baptist’s call to prepare the way, that we may receive and welcome Jesus the Christ

Mark 1:1-8 ‘Ready – or Not? #2’ In different ways, we all know the importance of signs and symbols. They point us in the right direction, give us instruction, and help us avoid making mistakes. We might be washing our clothes, and looking at the label inside to tell us what temperature to wash ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ordinary Events That Changed The World Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Dec 2, 2024

A Christmas message focused on the Innkeeper. When we examine the Christmas story and its many events, we see that they generally begin with insignificant, ordinary activities. Yet God does extraordinary things through these events.

OUTLINE From Ordinary to Extraordinary - Part 1 Ordinary events that changed the world Dr. Tom Bartlett December 1, 2024 Luke 2:4-7 (NIV) 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, John 1:11-12

Denomination: Other

A Gift For The New Year

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 13, 2017

Use the principles of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus in Christmas to prepare the way for the new year.

1. I am not a big fan of Christmas – there are theological issues in which a pagan story of Mithras became the basis for the date of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. [Similar for Easter] a. Jesus’ birth is mentioned but not specifically when b. Jewish people tend not to celebrate ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mary, Did You Know?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 26, 2022

We are all making exciting plans for Christmas. But in this sermon I want to talk to you about God’s plan for the first Christmas.

One thing that gets us upset, is when we have things all planned out and someone comes along and ruins our plans. For example, suppose you had plans for Saturday. You were going to take the family to the lake, and have a nice family picnic. You have been planning this picnic for weeks and you had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

"Lord, Prepare Us For Your Advent”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Feb 3, 2025

Just as many of us travel during December, Advent reminds us of Jesus' "travel plans" to serve as our Savior. We'll use the Apostle Paul's travel plans to visit the Thessalonians as our guide.

It’s estimated that a record 80 million Americans traveled 50 miles or more over the Thanksgiving Holiday this year. Of course, the majority (a record 71.7 million) of those traveled by car. But today they anticipate that a record-breaking 3 million people will travel by air. Yes, travel plans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Matthew 25:40

Denomination: Lutheran

The Wonder Of His Preparation (Part 1, The Wonder Of Christmas) Series

Contributed by Marcus Naugler on Dec 12, 2001

God sent us a prophet in the person of John the Baptist to "prepare the way of the Lord." Take a look at the events surrounding his life and see what God did with the wonder of His preparation.

The Wonder of His Preparation (Part 1, The Wonder of Christmas) Text: Luke 1:1-80 (pg. 723 in pew Bible) This is the time of year when we find that our houses don’t have adequate lighting and there are not enough green plants in our homes that look like candy, so we go and put these things into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-80

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas And The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

It is possible to look forward to a merry Christmas in full awareness that we live in a world of misery. Just as there is nothing inconsistent with taking medicine to feel better in a world of sickness, so there is nothing inconsistent with a merry spirit in a world of misery.

Dr. Samuel Upham, a theological professor and a man of great learning, was dying. The family was gathered around his bed and someone said I believe he is already dead. Someone else said his feet are still warm and nobody ever dies with warm feet. Dr. Upham opened one eye and said, "Joan of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Waiting For Christmas

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 18, 2006

We are still in the season of Advent, not Christmas. We can’t be ready for Christmas unless we prepare ourselves through Advent.

Waiting for Christmas Luke 3:1-17 December 17, 2006 Back in the late 1980’s when I was pastor over at First UMC in Morocco, Indiana, I was approached by a gentleman from the congregation asking about my choice of hymns. “Why can’t we sing Christmas hymns?” It has been December for a couple of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Are You Ready For The Second Christmas

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 29, 2002

prepare for the coming of Christ

December 1, 2002 Mk 13:32-37 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:32-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Eve: Good News In The 'hustle And Bustle' And In The Ordinary!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 24, 2005

Jesus is Good News for you in the ’hustle and bustle’ of life and preparations for Christmas. He is also Good News for people going about their ordinary everyday business, like he was for the shepherds.

A man named Charles Tucker decided recently that with all the ‘hustle and bustle’, it would be good to remember why Christmas is a good idea. He said that without Christmas… • The ‘dried’ fruit market would completely collapse • Boring, uneventful lives would have no stress at all • Santa would be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

Advent : Are You Awake ?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Nov 30, 2008

As the season of Advent begins, many people are preparing for Christmas. That’s good, but ...we are primarily being called in this sermon to be alert, to watch, to be awake, preparing for the return of Jesus. So, are YOU awake ?

I came across a suggested prayer for all preachers this week, and it goes like this: “Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff and nudge me when I’ve said enough.” Well, here we go! Are you ready? Are you prepared? Put your hands up if you are ready and prepared ... did you get done yesterday ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

"Christmas Love"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Dec 9, 2008

Christmas tells of first that God loves us. Secondly, that He is preparing a place for us. He trusted us to go share that Good News.

“Christmas Love” December 14, 2008 “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Holiness

Are You Ready For Christmas? Series

Contributed by Doug Henry on Dec 28, 2006

A look at how to prepare for the coming of Jesus from the teachings of John the Baptist.

I was in Wal-Mart a few months ago with a mission. It was the end of the summer season, so I went to the lawn and garden section to check out the sales on all the stuff you use to keep your yard and property looking nice. I went there with the intention of buying a weed eater if the price was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational