|
Replies: 26
| visibility 1,901
|
CU Guru [1231]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1016
Joined: 7/16/05
|
Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
11
11
Dec 24, 2023, 7:09 AM
|
|
What is the most important thing that needs to be said on Christmas Eve to a congregation of Jesus loving folks who just want to make their little corner of the world a better place??
|
|
|
|
 |
Head Coach [753]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 491
Joined: 10/27/16
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
4
Dec 24, 2023, 7:12 AM
|
|
Give them a way to do just that
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [32656]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 14904
Joined: 6/29/11
|
Be the light of Christmas and the heart of Christmas every day.
9
9
Dec 24, 2023, 7:15 AM
|
|
Remember the hope & love that is today - and try to hold onto that every day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [4857]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 3600
Joined: 11/30/98
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1271]
TigerPulse: 87%
Posts: 1307
Joined: 8/17/11
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
7
7
Dec 24, 2023, 7:46 AM
|
|
Adam said to his wife it's Christmas, Eve! A little humor with the message!
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [5578]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4064
Joined: 10/3/03
|
Don't keep it to yourself
11
11
Dec 24, 2023, 7:50 AM
|
|
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:15
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2156]
TigerPulse: 69%
Posts: 2575
Joined: 6/4/22
|
Re: Don't keep it to yourself
Dec 26, 2023, 12:51 PM
|
|
This verse was not original.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1692]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 498
Joined: 11/21/01
|
Hopefully, the gospel! You cannot assume that everyone
8
8
Dec 24, 2023, 7:57 AM
|
|
sitting in the service has a relationship with Jesus. Many say they love Jesus and accept Him as Savior, but He is not Lord of their lives. We are called to be disciples who make disciples, not folks who have said a prayer that "asks Jesus into your heart" and then go on living exactly like the rest of the world.
If you wanted to make them uncomfortable (because there is no growth in fhe comfort zone), you would go over how the American celebration of Christmas is not Biblical and does very little to honor Yeshua.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3568]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 2135
Joined: 12/1/04
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
8
8
Dec 24, 2023, 7:58 AM
|
|
Even for the most ardent of believers , it’s still easy to “lose” the awe and wonder over just how amazing the miracle of the incarnation truly is. We hear about the “true meaning of Christmas” so much growing up in church but still, it can lose its luster for us bc it becomes, rote, rehearsed to say “God came into the world as a human infant, to save His people from their sins.” Which is what you’re saying in expressing the challenge I assume?
For me I liken it to Bob Ballard, the guy who found rhs Titanic. Years after his discovery, another team of which he was not a part, found a separate portion of the titanic wreck. Ballard was asked about it in an interview and said something to the effect of “big deal, it’s a ship, it hit an iceberg , it sank. Get over it” Do you think that’s what he was saying the moment he found the wreck initially!?!? No, of course, he was jumping and screaming and celebrating … bc this was a monumental discovery… we do the same thing about Christmas… when you first encountered the living God, and learned, truly learned what He did in Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, did you jump for joy, or was it “big deal, he was born, lived, hit a cross and sank.get over it?” No! You didn’t…. Christ’s birth had cosmic consequences and encouraging your flock to rediscover something of that wonder and mystery is always a wonderful thing.. bc I’d bet that many, like myself at times, forget just how wonderful of a gift we received . That’s my thoughts. God bless !
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1589]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 556
Joined: 11/26/18
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
7
7
Dec 24, 2023, 8:07 AM
|
|
Romans 8:38-39;
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1268]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 281
Joined: 7/15/23
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
3
Dec 24, 2023, 8:17 AM
|
|
Jump for Joy
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [46574]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 13745
Joined: 7/18/12
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
5
5
Dec 24, 2023, 8:15 AM
|
|
The Holy Spirit will always fill your heart and mouth with the perfect message needed for the congregation your speaking to.
The amazing love of God sending us all a Savior for the whole world. The greatest eternal gift ever is eternal love, celebrating that perfect love by giving in any way like God did through love helps us shine with His joy and love during our celebration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legend [19697]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 17289
Joined: 8/18/05
|
They'll all likely have lost family or friends around them
8
8
Dec 24, 2023, 8:22 AM
|
|
these next few days. Have them unwrap the greatest gift ever given and share Jesus with them! There will also likely be visitors today in your service with them. Share Jesus with them. Christmas screams the love of God! The gospel should be front and center
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [27374]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 31825
Joined: 8/19/03
|
Re: They'll all likely have lost family or friends around them
2
Dec 24, 2023, 8:27 AM
|
|
Go Tigers..
The world is a great place
Enjoy it
Make it better
Be honest and kind. Something difficult for many to do….regardless of the beliefs
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [10929]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4671
Joined: 10/25/11
|
Phil. 4:7
3
Dec 24, 2023, 8:29 AM
|
|
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team Captain [488]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 200
Joined: 1/16/22
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
8
8
Dec 24, 2023, 8:36 AM
|
|
Even among Christians, I think the one message that needs to be reinforced is why we celebrate this season. Christmas has been so over-commercialized that in the public eye it's no longer about celebrating the birth of our Savior, but instead is about Santa Claus, presents, family gatherings, lights and decorations. In all of the noise we have lost sight of "reason for the season". Last Sunday I talked about this very subject at the mission I work with for my church.
Luke 2: 8-14 perfectly explains what it is we are celebrating. It is the announcement of the birth of Jesus to a flock of shepherds in the field, and where they can find the baby. They then go and see for themselves, leave in wonder spreading the word to all that they saw that the Messiah was born.
It's very important to note who the birth of Jesus was revealed to first. In the time of Christ's birth, shepherds were held in low esteem, it was not a job to be desired, even if it was necessary to keep providing lambs for sacrifice at the temple. Like any other job, there's a pecking order, so not only was this lowly shepherds that it was revealed to, but the ones who were watching over the flocks at night, not during the day. Basically the lowest of the lows, yet they received the news first.
This helps to emphasize just how humble of a beginning Jesus had when He came into the world. It's something we can all recognize and learn from; from the humblest of beginnings come the greatest of things. A statement I've seen repeated often over the years helps sum this up perfectly:
- He had no servants, yet they called Him master;
- He had no degree, yet the called Him teacher;
- He had no medicines, yet they called Him healer;
- He had no army, yet kings feared Him;
- He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world;
- He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him;
- He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
From the humblest of beginnings came the greatest man in history.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [2156]
TigerPulse: 69%
Posts: 2575
Joined: 6/4/22
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
Dec 26, 2023, 12:54 PM
|
|
Christmas was originally a pagan holiday that Rome intertwined with Christianity once it became the official religion of the empire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1268]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 281
Joined: 7/15/23
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
1
Dec 24, 2023, 8:40 AM
|
|
Barrington Bunny by Martin Bell is a great short story for Christmas Eve or Easter. It is in his first book "The Way of the Wolf"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Legend [19610]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 16899
Joined: 9/5/02
|
|
|
|
|
|
110%er [5225]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 4635
Joined: 10/28/02
|
Follow your heart and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
1
Dec 24, 2023, 10:23 AM
|
|
One of my favorites this time of year comes from Matthew chapter 7 where Jesus is talking to the disciples about how to treat others. This is the original "golden rule" in Matthew 7:12 NIV, 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Treat others as you would have them treat you, regardless of color, race, gender, etc. Just be nice to each other and pay ii forward when someone does something nice for you. That is a recipe for a great sermon.
Have a great Christmas and let us know how your sermon turns out!
Go Tigers!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orange Blooded [3700]
TigerPulse: 61%
Posts: 2995
Joined: 12/2/98
|
After 25 years of full time ministry- I get it, my friend
2
Dec 24, 2023, 10:30 AM
|
|
Sounds like your congregation needs a new missional focus internally and externally that sparks a refreshed need for rhe gospel
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [25008]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 32316
Joined: 2/15/09
|
I think its best to avoid the scolding sermon on Christmas Eve
1
Dec 24, 2023, 10:49 AM
|
|
Ones that admonish those who don’t usually attend for not coming more often.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [27188]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 16032
Joined: 10/13/08
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
1
Dec 24, 2023, 11:23 AM
|
|
Start with this to get their attention.......
HTH
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oculus Spirit [90820]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 45503
Joined: 10/18/09
|
Thx CURev28 for Christmas Eve post that enlisted others to
3
Dec 24, 2023, 12:14 PM
|
|
share their thoughts and all offered sincere words, lessons & suggestions that actually helped me to refocus on what is important at CHRISTmas!
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-In [32656]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 14904
Joined: 6/29/11
|
What did you put out there for the flock, good Reverend ?
Dec 26, 2023, 11:01 AM
|
|
Would love to hear / read your message . . . .
CURev28®
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU Guru [1019]
TigerPulse: 100%
Posts: 1341
Joined: 9/17/01
|
Re: Christmas Eve sermon writing is the hardest
Dec 26, 2023, 11:46 AM
|
|
I think it’s kind of like me asking Tigernet the best way to treat Hypertension or Diabetes? 😀 I guess the difference is many of us do study the same book you do. My comment is that Christmas signifies Emmanuel or God is with us … the best news for a broken world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
All-TigerNet [10216]
TigerPulse: 74%
Posts: 18315
Joined: 2/20/09
|
Easy!! Two things
1
Dec 26, 2023, 12:28 PM
|
|
Vote republican always then volunteer and watch poll place for cheating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Replies: 26
| visibility 1,901
|
|
|
50
