Sermons on Empty Manger:

Christmas Spiritual Contrasts

Contributed by Jay Bunting on Dec 25, 2017

A look at the spiritual reactions to the birth of the Christ.

Luke 2:1-20 Christmas contrasts It is a time of great rejoicing in the palace, for a prince has just been born. Near the throne there is a lively discussion going on as the king’s advisers are making their suggestions concerning the best way to announce to the wonderful news. They have suggested ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

The Big Story: Nunc Dimittis Series

Contributed by Danny Davis on Feb 7, 2014

The last of Luke's four songs celebrating the incarnation of Christ is the Song of Simeon. The righteous priest long anticipated the birth of the one who would bring salvation to the Jews and to the whole world.

Introduction Well, I was really thinking about another carol for all of us to sing together this morning but I thought maybe I would give you a break. The only reason is because I want your voices rested so you can join us for caroling at the Golden Living Center and Bristol Manor after church ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Similarities In The Birth, Sacrifice And Return Of Jesus

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 31, 2015

Have you every noticed some of the similarities of the events that take place at Jesus' birth, death, resurrection and return? Not only are God's finger prints all over each event but it seems as if His power and majesty increases with each event!

Let's read a couple of Bible passages and see if we notice any similarities between the two. Luke 2:4-7 NIV (read from the Bible) “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. He ...read more

Scripture: John 2:4-7

Denomination: Nazarene

The Dark Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 2, 2014

Why does Matthew add the story of the slaughter of the baby boys in Bethlehem. First becasue it is fact and second to trigger assocaiations between Jesus birth and Moses birth (see details in sermon)

I came across this excerpt from a sermon from the Early Church Father St. Quod-vult-deus (Sermo 2 de Symbolo: PL 40, 655) “A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Wise men are led to him from afar. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns in heaven and on earth. When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Exodus 1:15-22, Exodus 2:2-10, Isaiah 63:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Unto Us A Child Is Born

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Dec 7, 2014

An ideal Sunday School or PM service Bible study of Isaiah 9:6

Unto Us a Child Is Born Chuck Sligh December 7, 2014 TEXT: Isaiah 9:6 - “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus: A Star Is Born Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star is born! The Grand Finale The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story.

Opening Song— This is a Strange Way to Save the World https://youtu.be/iKYfzax-sNk Special: O Holy Night Pastor • Welcome • Scripture reading The Birth of Jesus Luke 2 1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Revelation 22:1-16, John 8:1-12, John 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

With Us - Joy Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Dec 10, 2020

In Luke 2 we see some shepherds, some Jewish men and boys keeping watch over the sheep in their care. They got a shock and a powerful message of Joy!

“With Us” - Part 1 - JOY Steele Creek Church December 6, 2020 OUTLINE And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11, Romans 15:13, Galatians 4:4

Denomination: Other

Baby Pictures Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

Christmas Eve wrap-up of a series looking at OT snapshots of Jesus

For a few weeks now at CCC we’ve been looking at different pictures of Jesus – not on FB or Snapchat, but places in the OT where God is giving a glimpse of Jesus, hundreds of years before He was born. Now comes Christmas! Finally, as the NT opens up, we see the very familiar picture of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wholeness Unveiled: A Visionary View Culminated Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 26, 2023

The final sermon in the Visionary View Sermon Series

Wholeness Unveiled: A Visionary View Culminated Introduction: Over the last 12 months we have been considering the theme Visionary View and the key verse that has underpinned the preaching has been Joel 2:28-29 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 12:7, Revelation 1:8, Philippians 2:6-11, Psalm 90:2, Romans 8:17, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 2:10-11, John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Suddenly: A Message Of Hope

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2024

Advent reminds us of two realities: the joy of Christ’s first coming and the anticipation of His second. Both are deeply tied to the theme of suddenly.

Suddenly: A Message of Hope December 1, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 2:8-14 Today, as we begin Advent, our focus is on hope—the hope that came suddenly on that first Christmas night and the hope we continue to carry as we await Christ’s return. Advent reminds us of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Brethren

Sermon – Advent Continues: Peace On Earth And Goodwill Towards Men

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 5, 2024

Our relationship to God is the most important of all relationships, and if we are not at peace with Him, we will never have peace in our hearts or be at peace with others. Good News, peace on earth!

Sermon – Advent Continues: Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards Men Scripture Text: Luke 2:8-14 “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Romans 8:35-38, Philippians 4:11, John 14:27, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 5:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Symbols Of Advent And The Reality Of Advent

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Dec 6, 2022

In this sermon we walk through the symbols of Advent (candles and wreath) and point it all back to the reality of Advent which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Symbols of Advent and the Reality of Advent Text: Romans 5:1-11 OPEN WITH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING Well, we’re getting closer to the day when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I hope you all have been thinking about that. Not just in a shallow way… you know… not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Miracle Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Nov 29, 2021

The real miracle of Christmas is that God, who send his one and Only Son to die in my place, That He became sin for me that I may have salvation. All Scripture quotes are from the NASB.

We tend to take Christmas for granted. Those of us who have grown up in the church, we know the Christmas story from the Bible almost by heart. We can cite the passages from Luke about Jesus being born and laid in a manger. We know how the angels appeared to the shepherds while they were ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Good News For The Outcasts Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Dec 10, 2021

God uses outcasts to announce Jesus's birth.

Good News for The Outcasts Jeffery Anselmi / General Characters of Christmas / Birth of Jesus; Shepherds at Birth of Christ / Luke 2:8–20 INTRODUCTION • Do you remember when you had a child, or when you got married or graduated from High School or College? • What do we usually do when a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Born To Be A Priest Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 25, 2021

Hebrews spends a lot of time focusing on Jesus as our High Priest. But what does that mean to us, and what difference can it make in our lives?

Philip Yancey , in his book “The Jesus I Never Knew” (Zondervan, 2002, p. 25) told of a Jesuit missionary - Matteo Ricci who went to China in 16th century. The missionary took along samples of religious art to illustrate the Christian story for people who had never heard it. He was pleased that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ