Sermons on December 25:

The Messenger/The Voice

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Dec 9, 2018

Delivering the gospel message

Weekend Message/Devotion December 9, 2018 Luke 3:1-6 The Messenger/The Voice I remember as a youngster always looking for the mailman. He was so very faithful to deliver our mail every day. There were not many kids my age to hang out with, so many times I would just walk along with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6, Matthew 3:3, Isaiah 40:1-5, John 3:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ahaz, Isaiah And The Call Of The Virgin Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 15, 2018

We need to listen to His word, and say with Mary, “I am the servant of the Lord, let His will be done in my life.”

December 20 Pre-Christmas Novena The richness of today’s Scripture lessons cannot be exaggerated. There is so much here that literally books have been written about two passages. We are tempted to exegesis instead of exhortation, but without a little of the former, the latter is made ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Catholic

Born To Die

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Dec 23, 2018

The Divine Purpose for the Divine Birth of Jesus

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Weekend Message/Devotion December 23, 2018 Born to Die Hebrews 10:5-10 This reading so illuminates and so magnifies the will of God and the mission of His Only Son that it needs to be more fully shared at this time of year. This reading is surely a Christmas message. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5, Psalm 40:6-8, Hebrews 10:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Pain - No Gain

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on May 19, 2018

It may not be easy, but it is worth it!

No Pain – No Gain Hebrew 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. The greatest things in life - are not plans, but responses. In 1853 George Crum, a chef in ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Earth Mover

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 7, 2020

John the Baptist was a spiritual "bulldozer" calling us to move the rhythms and rhymes of this world towards God's justice.

December 6, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8 The Earth Mover Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Prayer, Politics, Isaiah And Hezekiah Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 14, 2020

God took those pottery shards and put together, in the end, a beautiful mosaic, our Gospel tells us, of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

December 17 of the 3rd Week in Advent 2020 Today’s Gospel makes no sense unless we know something about the history of God’s relationship with the chosen people, Israel. Genealogies in Scripture always mean more than we modern Americans understand. They always point in some way to the Lord, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17, Genesis 49:8-10

Denomination: Catholic

Christmas: The Big Picture

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 4, 2021

John's Gospel places Jesus' birth within a cosmic framework of significance and purpose.

January 3, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 1:1-18 Christmas: The Big Picture Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Well, Christmas is nearly over. Decorations have been packed away until next December. The holiday baking is nearly ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

From A Helpless, Little Baby To The Savior Of The World

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Dec 18, 2019

On this third Sunday of Advent we consider who will come into the world

Luke 2:10-11 Today is the last Sunday of Advent, the season when we’re supposed to prepare for Christmas and the birth of Jesus. In a few short days, we will celebrate another Christmas. We sing of joy to the world. We give presents to people we love. We smile and wish each other a ‘Merry ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:36, Matthew 22:39, Matthew 5:44  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Episcopal

Attaining True Human Dignity Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 18, 2021

During this Christmas season, it makes sense that we should follow Mary’s prophetic declaration, “all generations will call me blessed”, by praying her prayer, the Magnificat, and asking God to give us the same spirit of obedience she had.

December 22 The Magnificat Today's vesper antiphon speaks to Jesus as the "King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart." One of the now "traditional" movies lots of people see each Christmas is one set in the middle of the last century. It's called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:21-28, Luke 1:46-56, 1 Samuel 2:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Open The Doors Of The Church Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 29, 2014

Jesus enjoins us to do the will of the Father, but learning how to do God's will is a lifelong journey.

Thursday of the 1st Week in Advent Joy of the Gospel When I read this passage from the great prophet of Advent, the Hebrew priest Isaiah, my memory goes back almost ten years to our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Both the Old and New Testaments contain a recurring theme, one we see most perfectly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-27

Denomination: Catholic

Always More To Do Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 17, 2023

Take a fresh look at familiar Scriptures: we are all sinners in need of repentance and grace. If we want to be saints, there’s always more to do.

Fourth Sunday of Lent 2023 Laetare Sunday; Rejoice Sunday. We are about halfway through the season of Lent. So how do you know that there’s more work to do to become more like Christ before the Paschal celebration of Easter? Look at it with a sense of humor. You are on Greta Thunberg’s speed dial, ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Holy Innocents And Child Protection Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 15, 2023

The Feast of the Holy Innocents has gained additional significance in today's culture as a day to consider the safety and welfare of children.

Holy Innocents and Child Protection Christianity's Feast of the Holy Innocents, which is celebrated on December 28, has a rich religious and historical tradition. On this day, people celebrate the biblical story of King Herod's brutal order to kill newborn Jesus in order to get rid of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5, 1 John 2:2, Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Other

Better Is The End Of A Matter Series

Contributed by Nkwor Sunday Sunny Azuka Onyekachukwu on Dec 7, 2023

It is always so easy to begin but holding on to the end is always difficult but therein lies the joy of the beginning. Holding on to the finishing line and reaping the reward of a beginning is all that matters in Christ Jesus!

BETTER IS THE END OF A MATTER Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. The word of God makes it clear that the life of a child of God is always going towards a perfect directing. By this, I mean ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8, Proverbs 4:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Two Visits From Gabriel Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 11, 2024

There are four visits from Angels in the story of the birth of Jesus as told by Matthew and Luke.

Two Visits from Gabriel December 15, 2024 There are four visits from Angels in the story of the birth of Jesus as told by Matthew and Luke. Gabriel was the angel who also spoke to the prophet, Daniel. He was considered the guardian of Israel. Luke 1:5-14, 18-19 NIV “In the time of Herod king of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-14, Luke 1:18-19, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:65

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Year Resolution

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Dec 28, 2024

It is important for us to make New Year’s resolutions every year and to live diligently, but what is even more important is the direction of our lives and our ultimate purpose.

New Year’s Resolution: How Should I Live in the New Year? I asked the nurse at the dentist the day before last Friday, "Do you have any plans or resolutions for the new year?" I answered that I hadn't really thought about it, but I was trying to lose some weight. So, did you have any ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19

Denomination: Baptist