Sermons on First Advent:

There Is Hope

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 5, 2004

We have hope because of: 1. Who we are. 2. Whose we are. 3. Where we are.

On November 21, 1943, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a letter to his fiancee, Maria von Wedemeyer, while he was imprisoned by Hitler during World War II. In the letter, he talked about a spiritual lesson he was learning from his life as a prisoner. He wrote: “A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

Dark Christmas

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Dec 27, 2004

The Magi came in the dark to the Light. Harod stays in the dark.

Acknowledgement – I found great value in a Christmas Sermon series by Darren Ethier – A fellow contributor to this site. His sermons are called “Christmas Perspectives Series.” Dark Christmas Matthew 2:1-20 Most of you will recall that in these last few weeks of the year we are looking at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

Only Six Miles Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Dec 9, 2013

It was only six miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.

Only Six Miles Christmas series 2013 #1 Matthew 2:1-6 1st Dec 2013 Shell Point Baptist Church ALL SERMONS IN CONDENSED FORM How long would it take to walk six miles? • If you/good shape/walk/couple of hours. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Rest

Contributed by Josh Reich on Feb 13, 2007

In the midst of the holiday season, we talk about peace and yet our lives are moving at incredible rates of speed. How do we slow down in our world and experience the peace God promises?

As I was thinking this past week about what to talk about, I decided to share with you a little about where I am in my spiritual journey and what God has been showing me recently. No matter how I live throughout the year, every year around the holidays I find myself tired. Have you ever thought ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Dec 2, 2006

A Topical Christmas Sermon

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Matt. 2:1-12 Christmas is a season of wonder. Someone expressed that wonder this way: I am the Christmas Spirit— I enter the home of poverty, causing pale faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder. I cause the miser’s clutched hand to relax ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Olive: Exhaustion Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 2, 2003

How do we replenish our exhaustion? The world into which Jesus was born was spiritually weary. We too are worn out from conflict, moral uncertainty. God has acted to come among us and to give us power to become.

“All ye, beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way, with painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing: O rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing!” You don’t have to look long to find examples ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:17-35, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Cry Of The Crier

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 1, 2005

This sermon examines the words of Isaiah - who was told to cry "all men are like grass"! What is the purpose of this cry? What does it point us to? Read and find out.

December 4, 2005 Isaiah 40:6-8 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Boy Jesus

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 4, 2005

The mystery of the incarnation helps us to know: 1. God’s strength is in his apparent weakness. 2. Jesus understands the human condition. 3. God’s desire is to be with us.

A new trend is literally turning a longstanding Christmas tradition on its head. Hammacher Schlemmer, a retail company based in New York, is offering a unique yuletide decoration: the Upside-Down Christmas Tree. The tree is seven feet tall and pre-lit with over 800 commercial grade lights, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:39-52

Denomination: Methodist

A Middle Aged Reason For Hope

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 8, 2005

In this Psalm I examine the Psalm writer’s attitude to the future as he faces old age and how he deals with his enemies. This is during Advent and has a little reflective flavor of the season in it.

December 11, 2005 Psalm 71 What do you think about your future? Maybe you’re one of those people who’s done an overall road map of your life. Maybe in ten years you want to retire, or have your house paid off, or have enough money saved up to buy a car, or get married and have children. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-25

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Why He Came

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 9, 2002

Why did Jesus have to come to earth? This message looks at what Christ has to offer us.

As she made her way along the road she wondered about the sense of it all. Although she had agreed she still couldn’t understand why. She lived in a poor country that was occupied by a foreign army, violence was never far away and often during the night you would hear soldiers entering the home ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Wesleyan

Is Our Message Any Different? Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Dec 3, 2005

Christmas Realities - Part 2. This Christmas we need to check the reliability of our message because the reality is that there is a lot of fluff out there.

IS OUR MESSAGE ANY DIFFERENT? Christmas Realities – Part 2 December 4, 2005 Mark 1:1-8 INTRODUCTION: Where do you get your news? Network news? 24-hour cable news channel? Newspaper? Internet? Today there are more options than ever before in history for getting your news. In the old days the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

You've Got Mail

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Feb 3, 2006

God has spoken to us through Jesus Christ. He has sent us mail through Jesus who is the message and the messenger rolled into one.

Did I get any mail? This is one of the most common questions we find ourselves asking. I suppose all of us like to receive mail. We all like someone say to us, “You’ve got mail.” There is something rewarding and exciting about receiving mail, even if it is junk mail. If nothing else it, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not Another Teenage Pregnancy Story

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Dec 20, 2007

Virgin birth is it credible and how Mary instructs us to a joyous faith in the midst of current difficult realities - an advent/christmas story

Gospel Reading – Luke 1:26-38 Theme: Annunciation to Mary Sermon title – Not another Teenage Pregnancy Story Response: Luke 1:46-55 Song of Mary – She Glorifies/Rejoices in God for he has been mindful of her. 26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Narnia: What If There Were No Christmas Series

Contributed by Lin Smalec on Nov 25, 2005

This sermon introduces the first book of the Chronicles of Narnia as part of an Advent series. It connects the state of Narnia (always winter, never Christmas) with the world without Christ.

Rev. Lin Smalec Salem Church, Waynesboro, PA WHAT IF THERE WERE NO CHRISTMAS? First Sunday of Advent 27 November 2005 A few years after World War II ended, a professor at Oxford University in England wrote a series of children’s books that captured the imagination of a generation. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational