Resources on Christmas

Topical Study on Christmas Christmas is the time for the preacher to drop all the cultural hoopla and sentimentality and focus on the real thing: the incarnation of the Son of God. The good news is that your congregation is tired of the hype anyway. They long for depth and meaning in their Christmas...

Resurrection Apprehension Article by Louis E. Lotz https://www.reformedworship.org/article/december-1991/resurrection-apprehension-lots-ideas-calm-those-easter-sermon-fears Article by Louis E. Lotz Topics: Easter , Preaching , Sermon Source: Reformed Worship Preaching on Easter every year can bring up apprehension. Louis E. Lotz helps calm Easter sermon fears by giving possible sermon topics and thoughts.

Staying Afloat Article https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/advent-hope-staying-afloat Article Topics: Christmas , Hope , Despair , Jesus Source: Theology of Work: The High Calling In this Advent reflection, the author ponders the challenge of offering real hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Christmas Spirit All Year Article by John R. Gunn http://day1.org/2484-christmas_spirit_all_year Article by John R. Gunn Topics: Christmas , Jesus , Salt , Daily Living Source: Day1 Too easily we can lose the spirit of Christmas, Christ coming into the world, once the season is over. John R. Gunn challenges us to not lose our spirit of Christmas during the year.

Christmas Element of Worship by Michelle Riley Jones http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=244 Element of Worship by Michelle Riley Jones Topics: Christmas , Incarnation , Music , Worship Planning Source: The African American Lectionary This worship planning resource is for a Christmas worship service. This resource includes a call to worship, a litany, music, and liturgical resources for a Christmas celebration.

Ash Wednesday Commentary/Exegesis by Marvin A. McMickle http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=197 Commentary/Exegesis by Marvin A. McMickle Topics: Ash Wednesday , Lent , Reconciliation , Culture Source: The African American Lectionary A sermon starter and commentary by Marvin McMickle on 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10, for Ash Wednesday in the African American Lectionary.

Advent Waiting Song/Hymn http://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/135651017705/advent-waiting-prayers-song Song/Hymn Topics: Advent , Prayer , Teaching , Comfort Source: Global Worship Advent resources: a folk ballad, "Every Valley," tells of the times when waiting is hard and hope is needed, a "Community Prayer for Waiting," a banner, a painting, another prayer, and two quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer....

Sadie, the Prayer Dog Commentary/Exegesis by Alyce M. McKenzie http://www.patheos.com/Progressive-Christian/Sadie-Prayer-Dog-Alyce-McKenzie-02-25-2013 Commentary/Exegesis by Alyce M. McKenzie Topics: Lent , Parables , Repentance , Discipleship Source: Patheos As a Lenten text, Luke 13:1-9 encourages us to heed Jesus' urgent call to repentance and not miss out on joy we are missing. Lent is a good time to repent and head toward God.

Season of Lent Commentary/Exegesis by Luke A. Powery http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=72 Commentary/Exegesis by Luke A. Powery Topics: Lent , Grace , Sermon Source: The African American Lectionary A sermon starter and commentary by Luke Powery on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 for the season of Lent in the African American Lectionary.

Christmas is a Scandal Sermon (Complete) by Arthur Landwehr http://collections.carli.illinois.edu:80/cdm/ref/collection/uni_sermons/id/557 Sermon (Complete) by Arthur Landwehr Topics: Christmas , Scandal , Incarnation Source: Arthur Landwehr Sermon Collection In this sermon on Isaiah 7:10-15 and Matthew 1:18-25, Arthur Landwehr discusses reasons why Christmas is a scandal: incarnation, virgin conception, simple setting, and people, etc. "Happy are those who are not scandalized by Christmas."

Christmas Is Peace on Earth Sermon (Complete) by Arthur Landwehr http://collections.carli.illinois.edu:80/cdm/ref/collection/uni_sermons/id/552 Sermon (Complete) by Arthur Landwehr Topics: Christmas , Peace , War Source: Arthur Landwehr Sermon Collection History is measured by wars, but peace with God is the beginning of peace for the soul, for the nation, and for the world. A Christmas sermon outline on Isaiah 2:1-5 by Arthur Landwehr.

Why Not "Move" Advent to November? Article by Lester Ruth https://www.reformedworship.org/article/september-2003/why-not-move-advent-november Article by Lester Ruth Topics: Christmas , Advent , Incarnation , Liturgy Source: Reformed Worship Lester Ruth relates how he tried observing Advent in November for a congregation that did not have a strong tradition of Advent. He also discusses situations in which "moving" Advent would not work well.

Christmas Message Audio/Video by Michael Bruce Curry http://day1.org/7078-episcopal_presiding_bishop_michael_currys_christmas_message Audio/Video by Michael Bruce Curry Topics: Christmas , Redemption , Devotion Source: Day1 In this Christmas devotional, Michael Curry reflects that in the person of Jesus, the mountain of God came to us to show us the way to live, love, and transform the world.

Christmas Traditions Audio/Video by Unknown http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2003/12/19/december-19-2003-christmas-traditions/21513/ Audio/Video by Unknown Topics: Christmas , History , Video , Tradition Source: Religion & Ethics Newsweekly This video is a news story about how many of the most widely-known Christmas traditions were actually adapted from pagan practices before being given new Christian meanings.

Christmas Sermon Starter/Outline by Lynette Ford http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupCulturalAid.asp?LRID=302 Sermon Starter/Outline by Lynette Ford Topics: Christmas , Family , Education , Worship Planning Source: The African American Lectionary In this article, Lynette Ford reflects that John the Baptist could be a good model to follow as we commemorate the birth of Jesus. Included are suggestions for Christmas activities, music, audio visual material, and more....

Christmas Music Tells the Story Audio/Video by Kim Lawton http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2015/12/18/december-18-2015-christmas-music-tells-the-story/28354/ Audio/Video by Kim Lawton Topics: Christmas , Hope , Nativity , Music Source: Religion & Ethics Newsweekly A video that looks at how Christmas music—carols, hymns and pop songs—embody the meaning of the Christmas story and play a central role in the celebration of the season.

Annotated List of Christmas Carols Children Can Sing in the Sanctuary Article by Carolyn Brown http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/06/annotated-list-of-christmas-carols.html Article by Carolyn Brown Topics: Christmas , Congregation , Singing , Children Source: Worshiping With Children A list of several Christmas Carols that children can sing in the Sanctuary. This list gives notes on when, where, and for which age levels each song is appropriate.

Christmas Gift Giving Audio/Video by Kim Lawton http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2013/12/06/december-14-2012-christmas-gift-giving/14073/ Audio/Video by Kim Lawton Topics: Christmas , Generosity , Busyness , Video Source: Religion & Ethics Newsweekly This video interview illustrates themes of busyness, giving, and generosity as Bob and Diane Gayer describe their ministry that created an alternative Christmas market offering gifts ideas that support local and international charities.

Christmas Eve Communion Prayer Element of Worship by Katherine HawkerSelf https://liturgyoutside.net/christmas-eve-communion-prayer/ Element of Worship by Katherine HawkerSelf Topics: Christmas , Blessing , Prayer , Holy Spirit Source: Liturgy Outside Katherine HawkerSelf offers a communion prayer for Christmas Eve. "We break the bread and remember the paradox that it is in our brokenness that we become whole."

Christmas Commentary/Exegesis by Marvin A. McMickle http://theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupLectionaryReading.asp?LRID=182 Commentary/Exegesis by Marvin A. McMickle Topics: Christmas , Incarnation , Nativity , Worship Planning Source: The African American Lectionary For Christmas, Marvin A. McMickle presents this commentary on Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2:8-14. He includes background information, a biblical interpretation, and other suggestions for a service.

‘Twas the Day After Christmas… Article by Bob Robinson https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/twas-day-after-christmas Article by Bob Robinson Topics: Christmas , Contentment , God Source: Theology of Work: The High Calling Bob Robinson reflects on his own experiences of disappointment and discontent in giving and receiving Christmas gifts, on Paul's words in Philippians 4:11-13, and that true contentment for the Christians comes from only God himself.