Sermons on Merry Christmas:

In The Nick Of Time Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2003

Sermon illustrated by Chrismons: Jesus came at the right time, into a world of spiritual hungers, social unrest, devaluation of life. So He comes to our time, when ultimate questions are being asked, when much seduces us, when we are weak. He will be Lo

Infants, not yet born, seem to have a mind of their own. Infants, not yet born, pay very little attention to the doctor’s predictions, the mother’s preferences, or the father’s fears. When they want to arrive, they arrive; and if they don’t want to emerge into this cold, cruel world, they don’t, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

1 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

The start of Advent

23 Pentecost B Mark 13:1-8 / Hebrews 10:11-25 19 November 2000 Such a text. Wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, family discord, signs of the end of the world. Could be the nightly 11:00 news. We’ve heard it and seen it all. If we were of a ceratin theological bent, we would talk about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Lutheran

2 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

John the Baptist declares, "It is time!"

This is a great text. The majesty of the writing -- what would Christmas be without the Christmas text from Luke? "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus . . . ." All the names and dates. Historical details that make the story come alive. The event, marked in time and place -- in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

3 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

"You brood of Vipers!" and still they come.

What do we do with this John the Baptist? Here is the third Sunday in a row with him. Such a strange man. "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Heaping abuse on the people. And still they came in droves to be baptized. John had that charisma that attracted people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

4 Advent C

Contributed by Roger Haugen on Sep 20, 2001

"My Soul magnifies the Lord"

Here we are on the fourth Sunday of Advent. The morning of Christmas Eve. It’s hard not sliding right into Christmas. Snow, the excitement, the baby to be born, the manger, the Shepherds -- the whole nine yards. Christmas as we have come to know and love and expect. Gifts under the tree, a feast -- ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Truth About The Magi

Contributed by Gary Waguespack on Oct 4, 2001

Wise men still seek him, but who were the wise men. really?

Wise Men Still Seek Him Matthew 2:1-12 Intro. A boy was once asked what he was going to give his sister for Christmas, he replied, “Well,” he said, “last year I gave her the measles.” What will we give Jesus for Christmas? Hopefully a genuine worship that involves our whole lives, that’s what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Real Joseph

Contributed by Gary Waguespack on Oct 4, 2001

Why did Joesph REALLY want to divorce Mary, the answer may surprise you.

Christmas: Mt. 1:18-25 The Real Story of Joseph! Intro. A little boy was lost in a mall. He didn’t know what to do so, knit hat in hand, he just stood and cried. People passing felt bad and wanted to do something, so they started putting money in his hat. A short while later a Security Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jun 19, 2001

Psalm 24 leads us to a correct understanding of whose birthday we celebrate on December 25.

“Whose birthday is it, anyway?” A few Christmases ago the Board of Evangelism and I selected a mailer that showed both a picture of Jesus and a picture of Santa and asked the question in big bold print, “Whose birthday is it, anyway?” Underneath that caption it when on to declare, “We believe the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1

Denomination: Lutheran

A House Is Not A Home

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

Christ comes to dwell in our messy, imperfect homes, just as they are, to build love, not a museum-like perfection.

A house is not a home. A house is not a home. A house is a house, and it may be lovely to look at and fine to visit, but a house, by itself, is not a home. What is the difference? Let me tell you a tale of two houses. These are the best of houses, these are the worst of houses. See if you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

A King In The Gate

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 3, 2001

David’s emergence from grief over Absalom was marked by his "sitting in the gate" -- a sign of healthy recovery in that he had begun to care for others more than for his own wounds, he had returned to the work of justice, he faced vulnerability, he resumed leadership, he could face his own grief.

I This day the noise of battle, the next the victory’s won. Or so the king hoped. Much was at stake. His own future was uncertain; the nation’s stability was shaky; the confidence of those around him was low; and, most of all, his relationship with his son was in jeopardy. There had been a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Day The Aliens Came

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 11, 2001

Christmas Sermon on the Magi: God reveals Himself to all kinds of people – and the least likely are often the most open.

Intro I haven’t seen them for a long time, but about this time of year when I was a kid, we would see ads on TV that informed immigrants that they had to fill out certain forms to register with the government. Which wouldn’t have been that memorable, except that they didn’t call them immigrants. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"The Shepherds' Faith"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

Their faith takes them to the stable, and beyond.

“The Shepherds’ Faith” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts In a survey, nearly a third of those questioned stated that, of all the persons mentioned in the Christmas story, they identified the most with the shepherds. They were your average, ordinary, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Congregational

"Freedom For Prisoners"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

As we envision the Nativity-—the baby Jesus surrounded by his parents, shepherds and wise men—-let’s remind ourselves that our Lord came to suffer and set captives free.

"Freedom for Prisoners" Rev Dr Robert Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s also be aware of how He began His ministry. Jesus read these words from Isaiah, and applied them to Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18

Denomination: Congregational

Mary's "Yes"!

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

Mary is a model of submission to the will of God

“Mary’s ‘Yes!’,” Rev Dr Robert Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts I’d like us to focus on Mary’s response to the angelic announcement. Gabriel comes to her in the town of Nazareth and tells her that she will be mother to the Messiah. After expressing some initial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Congregational

"Nicholas The Wonder Worker”

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

The real story of Saint Nicholas, stripping away the myths and discovering a man who honored Christ

“Nicholas the Wonder Worker” Rev Dr Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Clement Moore writes, “With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick!” Moore was inspired by a plump, bearded Dutchman who took him by sleigh through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Congregational