The holidays are now behind us. We had a seven part series this year, “The Son of David”. I love to preach Christmas series. We have had a different series almost every year of my ministry.
Other preachers have spoken to me of being challenged by preaching at seasons like Christmas. I suspect that perhaps the reason is a too narrow view of what is acceptable for a Christmas series. If we simply return to the Christmas passages in Matthew and Luke again and again, it can get difficult. One can only exegete so much out of these very familiar passages, especially when our people have heard it all before.
I don’t wish to make a big point on this post, but simply to ask a few questions of any preachers who read it. First, do you find Christmas to be a “homiletical challenge”? Do you dread Christmas for that reason? If not, why not? And what do you do to preach Christmas? What are your goals in preaching for the Christmas season?
I am thinking of writing up some of my approach, but I’d like to hear from others first. Is it a topic of interest?
1. For me, it’s definitely a topic of interest, I’d very much like to see your thoughts on it. Then, if you have ideas on Easter, you could give us those, too. :)
2. I don’t find Christmas hard, but we’ve typically only had one or two “Christmas” sermons a year.
3. What I have done to preach Christmas, besides the obvious: A) Phil. 2 B) Hebrews 2 C) Character studies on Joseph and Mary D) Scripture’s “Fear Nots” (have you noticed that’s always the first thing angels say?) E) Preached on the second verse of O Come All Ye Faithful (the one that starts, “True God the Son, Light from Light eternal”) F) Extended series on Messianic prophecies leading up to Christmas G) Preaching through Daniel, I scheduled it so the 70 weeks came at Christmas time, and made that my Christmas message H) Simeon I) Gal. 4:4 and I John 4:10, 14.
One year, I didn’t preach at all. We just read Scripture interspersed with singing Christmas carols. Messianic prophecies, parts of Luke 1, Matthew 1, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:25-35, Mt 2:1-11, parts of John 1 (including v. 29), parts of Rev 19, 21, 22.
I loved preaching messages at the seasons when I was in the pastorate. This year at Thanksgiving I preached a message from Psalms 105-107 (one message!). At Christmas I preached a message from Isaiah 7-9 (my wife asked: “are we going to stay all night?”) and a message from 1 Timothy 3:16. That is a fantastic text.
@ Jon
Well, you have certainly given me some additional ideas to add to my list for future series. (Although I did have the “Fear Not” one already!) The Christmas carols often have tremendous doctrine contained in them. A series on those phrases would certainly be worthy. Wesley’s “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” would be a good one too.
My son challenged me to write up some of what I do, he thinks it might be of interest to others. So I’ll be doing a bit of a series on this I think.
@ Dr. M
Very good to hear from you, hope I’ll get to see you again soon. Your wife’s comment reminds me of the story of Criswell preaching through the entire Bible one New Years Eve. I think they went all night and then some. That would have been a tremendous experience, I think.
@ All… maybe no one would like to confess being frustrated by Christmas preaching! But be sure to chime in about things you have done that were a blessing. I’ll be sure to steal your ideas for future use.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
I really enjoy Christmas preaching. We have 3 big events in December and we use Christmas as a platform for the gospel and saw a good number saved and baptized over the course of the month. I always preach one message on the deity of Christ at Christmas