Sermons on First Advent:

War Is Over

Contributed by Cameron Horsburgh on Dec 7, 2002

The story of the angels isn’t so much about a heavenly sing-song than God announcing the end to the war between himself and the human race.

I’m sure we’re all fairly familiar with this scene—a group of shepherds are in the field quietly minding their own businesses when an angel appears to them. *The Angels* We don’t know the name of this angel. However, the only angel to be named in the gospels in connection with the birth of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Hebrews 4:16

Denomination: Holiness

The Bethlehem Discovery

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Dec 19, 2007

An Advent sermon, following the theme of an adventure: the plan, the journey, the discovery.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do you ever examine the deeper meaning of commonly used words? Take the word “discovery,” for example. It is fairly common in our vocabulary. Someone may say, “The other day I discovered a six-month old tub of cottage cheese in the back of my refrigerator. It ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

A Year Without Fear

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Jan 3, 2008

A sermon based on the four "fear not"’s of the nativity story.

A Year Without Fear INTRO.: As a new year begins, there is much uncertainty in each of our lives. We don’t know what the new year will bring. As I read the Christmas story, I was impressed with the number of times the phrase “do not be afraid” or KJV’s “fear not.” appears in the story. As we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Coming Of The King

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the enjoyment and ignorance that surrounds much of the world’s "Christmas" understanding.

I’m looking forward to visiting Middle Earth in a day or two... J.R.R. Tolkein’s "Lord of the Rings" - having been voted top book in the BBC’s "Big Read" - reaches its conclusion in the third cinema film "Return of the King". It’s so tempting to start drawing on Tolkein’s imagery. The conflict ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:16-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fact Or Fantasy?

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon asking whether we regard the Christmas story as merely a story, or are there facts which should make us sit up and respond?

Christmas is a wasteful time ! Not a waste of time, but a wasteful time. In 1998 the UK threw away 2.5 billion cards, worth £350 million in the shops. If you stuck these cards end to end they would have stretched 236,000 miles - that’s nine times round the globe! We used a massive 85,000 miles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Divine Directions Series

Contributed by Ron Baker on Dec 14, 2006

This sermon should motivate people to see that God was directing the events at the incarnation and He has given us directions as well.

Divine Directions (4 of 4 in the series “Jesus our Messiah” – Matthew 1-2) Text: Matthew 2:12-23 - Date: December 17, 2006 INTRODUCTION We see here in this narrative section of Scripture that there was a lot of Divine Directions taking place. God seemed to be directing all these events ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:12-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing For The Guest Of Honor

Contributed by Richard White on Dec 13, 2003

Jesus came as a baby in a manger, now he is coming as the King of Kings, we must get ready.

Preparing for the Guest of Honor Isaiah 40:1-11 ISA 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To Us A Child Is Born

Contributed by Michael Fogaras on Dec 15, 2003

The Christmas Story that means so much to all Christian believers can be told with six words, “To us a child is born.” Our great Light, Liberator, and Lord.

TO US A CHILD IS BORN ISAIAH 9:1-7 INTRODUCTION: The Christmas Story that means so much to all Christian believers can be told with six words, “To us a child is born.” If it were not for the appearance of Immanuel (God with us) we would not need to celebrate Easter. The birth of Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Immanuel: God With Us

Contributed by Wayne Searls on Dec 7, 2002

A Christmas sermon illustrating the reality of God’s presence in our world and in our lives.

IMMANUEL: GOD IS WITH US Matthew 1:18-23; Text: v.23 SCRIPTURE: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Chasing The Stable-Boy Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 10, 2004

Instead of following after the "power and prestige of the world" how about following the humility of Christ?

I visited with an incensed high school student last week. Apparently her father had decided they weren’t going to get a Christmas tree or put up any of the other usually seasonal decorations. Instead they would have “Birthday” balloons and a birthday cake. And the presents would be arranged around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:30-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Making A Positive Impact For Jesus

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 7, 2007

John the Baptist made a big impact on many people. This sermon encourages people to make a positive impact (for Jesus) upon people, and not simply to be going through the motions

Just occasionally we come across someone who makes a big impact upon us. Early in my life John Stainer made an impact upon me. At the time he had a big bushy beard – a bit like I imagine John the Baptist. John was my Sunday school teacher (John Stainer that is, not the Baptist), and he made an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Our Messiah, Our Peace

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 17, 2007

Isaiah 11:1-10 is the Old Testament for the Second Sunday in Advent, Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary. This was the occassion for the preaching of this message in December 2007, and the theme is that the Jesus, Our Messiah, is our personal peace in

Our Messiah, Our Peace! --Isaiah 11:1-10 Reading the newspaper, any piece of literature, or even the Bible between the lines can be a dangerous thing, because you face the possibility of misinterpreting the message. However, two Hebrew words, even though they actually do not appear in our text, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

What Are You Looking For? A Way Back? Series

Contributed by Jay Winters on Dec 24, 2007

This was the 3rd Sunday in Advent. The people in Jerusalem were looking for a way back...but what God gives them instead of a way back is a way forward, a way on.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who brings us the way of His holiness. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There was once a water carrier in India whose job it was to bring water from the river to his master’s house. Day after day, he would ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Narnia: Always Winter, Never Christmas Series

Contributed by Richard Francis on Nov 28, 2005

In the middle of winter, we need Christmas, but in our spiritual winter, we need Jesus and all he brings to us.

Always Winter, Never Christmas Isaiah 64:1-9 Charlie Brown says that Christmas is at the top of a long hill, and I think that’s a pretty good description of how Christmas seems when you are young. I know it was that way with me. December 25 was the most highly-anticipated day of the year as far ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Message We Don't Like

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the ’offensiveness’ of God’s Christmas present to us - the idea that we need ’saving’ from sin!

Someone sent me three facts that prove Jesus was a Mexican! His first name was Jesus; he was bilingual, and he was always being harassed by the authorities. Then again, you can prove he was black - he called everybody "brother", he liked Gospel and he couldn’t get a fair trial. Or maybe he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed