Sermons on Empty Manger:

The Approachable God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

To find the Child-that was the goal. Anything that takes us off the path that leads to Christ is not part of God's plan. The job of the angels and the star was finished when the shepherds and the wise men bowed before the Christ-child.

Lucy is expounding on the meaning of Christmas and she says, "this is the time of the year that we show kindness and good will, when we accept others and welcome them into our home." Charlie Brown says, "why can't we be kind and accepting all through the year and not just at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Preparing For A King Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 19, 2020

Why is the birth of Jesus significant and what does it mean to us today. Is there a connection between the world and world events during his first coming and his imminent return?

Grace Community Church Winchester VA www.gracecommunity.com Watch this sermon on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/LiIFk7xq1pM Introduction In our journey through Luke, we finally come to the birth of Christ. Just in time for the celebration of Christmas. In typical Lukean style, he packs volumes of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:3-4, Romans 12:2, Revelation 17:12-13, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 18:36, James 4:4, 1 John 4:3, Micah 5:2, Romans 8:7, Luke 2:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Christmas Story Through The Eyes Of Joseph Series

Contributed by Jamie Bogaard on Dec 7, 2017

A Candlelight service told mostly through the eyes of Joseph

Christmas Eve Candlelight service Saturday, December 24, 2016 The following narrative is based on scriptures from Matthew 1 and Luke 1 & 2 and from On this Holy Night by Max Lucado. I did this as a first person monologue and my daughter helped me out by playing Mary. Please feel free to use ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Friends

"All I Want For Christmas Is…”

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 7, 2017

As kids all we wanted was our two front teeth! But as grown ups, we've reached a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas and of life. Now love, good health, happiness, forgiveness, and Jesus would be what we want.

“ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS…” Lk. 2:6-14 INTRODUCTION A. CHRISTMAS QUIZ See how well we know the facts about the first Christmas: 1. When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, how did they get there? a. They walked b. Joseph walked; Mary rode a donkey c. They took a chariot d. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Isaiah Saw The Cradle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 9, 2018

Isaiah tells us this newborn Messiah would bring light to a dark world. In what ways is our world "dark" and how does Jesus change that in our lives?

OPENING: Video – Christmas, The Nativity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6A9fMLnsY) (The video was all dramatic music and words on a screen. After the video was done, I spoke the words to open the sermon) “His birth… foretold in ancient writings a miracle that would threaten an empire. His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-6, Matthew 4:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Grinch Did Whoville A Favor Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 16, 2018

When the Grinch stole Christmas, it was one of the best things he could have done, because, it not only reminded the citizens of Whoville of the real meaning of Christmas, but it also brought a revelation to the Grinch himself that Christmas was, perhaps, something much more!

WHEN THE GRINCH DID WHOVILLE A FAVOR Lk. 2:6-14 INTRODUCTION A. CHRISTMAS QUIZ See how well we know the facts about the first Christmas: 1. When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, how did they get there? a. They walked b. Joseph walked; Mary rode a donkey c. They took a chariot ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Hard Side Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 29, 2016

Every instance of our lives is part of a greater spiritual conflict. The first Christmas was no exception.

Open There is the beautiful side of Christmas. It’s found in Luke's gospel. Luke’s account of the first Christmas is a love story set to music. There are angels coming and going. They’re singing and lighting up the sky. There are shepherds coming to visit. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Advent Of Christ Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 28, 2021

Advent is a celebration of hope concerning the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This message looks at the meaning of Advent by discussing the symbolism of the Advent wreath and the multi-colored candles.

I have entitled our message this morning “The Advent of Christ.” This coming Wednesday evening we will be decorating the Christmas tree in preparation for the Christmas season. In many churches across America, decorating the sanctuary, which is sometimes called “Hanging the Greens,” is the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

What To Say When We Don't Know What To Say - Funeral Sermon

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 30, 2021

When someone passes away unexpectedly, we often are left without knowing what to say. Through the story of Lazarus' death, we can see some things we can say when we do not know what to say.

“What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say” Introduction There are not many times when I am left speechless. I’m often told that I have a tendency to not be quiet and listen — that I actually talk too much. When I first heard of Debbie’s passing, however, I found myself without words to say. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-36, John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reverence For The "irrelevant" Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jan 6, 2023

If there was a "least likely to be the Messiah" award, Jesus would have been a contender for it.

Good morning! Please open your Bibles to Matthew 1. Well, this is the beginning of the last week of 2022, which means, of course, that every time you turn the TV on you’re going to get a “Best of 2022” list. I was scrolling through ESPN.com this week, looking at their top ten of 2022 list. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 43:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

His Name: Immanuel PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 3, 2024

This sermon explores God's promise of His constant presence, proximity, and personhood, assuring us that we are never alone, forgotten, or without hope.

Good morning, family of faith. It is a privilege to stand before you, to share in the joy of fellowship, and to unfold the wonders of God's Word together. Today, we gather under the banner of His love, His grace, and His mercy, bathed in the warmth of His promise - a promise that has been whispered ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Topics: He Is With Us

Hurts Heal

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

It is humbling to be part of this community of faith. To be pastor of a really great church, a growing church.

Hurts Heal “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Welcome The King Of Glory!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 17, 2025

As we begin another Advent season let’s turn our thoughts to a portion of God’s Word that will guide us in our preparation for Christmas. Psalm 24 will also provide us with correct expectations for our celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Preparation. Expectation. From today until the “big day” in December those are the two things most of us will be experiencing. If we are adults, we will probably put some time into preparing for Christmas. Maybe we have already invested a few hours in the upcoming holiday. Many of us did that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Is About Warfare

Contributed by Clarence Talley on Dec 19, 2000

The Advent of Jesus Christ is the continuing saga between good and evil

CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT WARFARE by Rev. Clarence Talley, Sr Youth Pastor and Professor of Art PVAMU Don’t be alarm but Christmas is also about warfare. Christmas is more than the fulfillment of the promised Messiah. It is also an escalation in the war between the forces of good and evil. No one, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Ugly, The Bad, And The Good

Contributed by Joseph Ng on Feb 26, 2001

God’s verdict on the lives of Solomon, Ahab, and Hezekiah is different from that of secular history and is what matters ultimately.

Opening: You’ve heard of the 1966 Western movie starring Clint Eastwood entitled The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. As we consider the lives of kings in the Old Testament, it will be apparent that some are ugly, bad, or good. In particular, the lives of three Hebrew kings--Solomon, Ahab, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational