Christmas Preaching Guide: Top Sermon Outlines and Resources for the Holiday Season
Christmas offers pastors and churches the incredible opportunity to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope, peace, and love His life brings. This Christmas Preaching Guide is designed to inspire and equip pastors with sermon outlines and resources for the holiday season. SermonSearch offers curated outlines that are easy to tailor and rich with scriptural insights, providing practical guidance for delivering memorable messages.
With seasonal reflections that touch the hearts of congregations, these sermons can celebrate and connect the timeless Christmas story to our lives today. Your Christmas sermon can remind listeners of God’s promise and the gift of grace brought by Jesus, whether you choose to focus on prophecies, angelic visitations, or the humble setting of Bethlehem. Our resources aim to help you prepare your own impactful message that will resonate with your congregation during this cherished time of year. We’ve curated a variety of sermon outlines, series, and illustrations.
Be sure to also check out our Advent, Christmas Characters, and Christmas Eve Preaching Guides.
Popular Sermon Outlines:
Preparing for Christmas
by Ernest Easley
Scripture Reference:
Luke 1But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.'
The Main Point:
Preparation is key to understanding the significance of Christ’s birth, focusing on how God prepared the world for Jesus.
Summary:
This sermon explores the preparations leading to the first Christmas, urging believers to spiritually prepare themselves in anticipation of Christ’s birth, much like the Biblical figures did in Luke 1.
The Gospel According to the Wise Men (3 of 4)
by J.D. Greear
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 2:1-18After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.
The Main Point:
The story of the Wise Men reveals profound truths about God’s presence in chaotic times and His invitation to all to seek Him.
Summary:
J.D. Greear delves into the significance of the Wise Men, emphasizing their journey as a model of faith and the importance of seeking Jesus even amidst life's complexities.
Mary's Song: Faith in Action (1 of 4)
by Jim Perdue
Scripture Reference:
Luke 1:46-55And Mary said: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...'
The Main Point:
Mary’s song is a powerful testament to her faith, exemplifying how believers should respond to God’s promises with praise and trust.
Summary:
This sermon explores Mary's Song as a response to God’s incredible promises, showcasing her faith in action and offering inspiration for living a life of praise.
Herod's Trouble
by Richard Bradley
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 2When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
The Main Point:
Herod's response to Jesus’ birth highlights the conflict between earthly power and divine truth, offering lessons on how to react to God's presence.
Summary:
This sermon examines King Herod's troubled reaction to Jesus' birth, reflecting on how fear and resistance to God’s plans can hinder our spiritual journey.
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Scriptures about Christmas:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Luke 1:30-33
But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.'
Sermon Illustrations On Christmas:
The Unspeakable Gift
This story beautifully illustrates the heart of the Gospel: Christ's incarnation as the greatest expression of love, through a powerful illustration of a Persian king who disguised himself as a commoner to visit his people, sharing in their hardships and offering kindness.
Would We Know?
Through heartfelt questions, the poem asks whether we would make room for Christ in our lives, or if we would turn away, missing the opportunity to encounter Him. This poignant reflection encourages us to slow down and seek Jesus in the everyday moments of life.
Additional Sermon Illustrations On:
Sample Blessings & Prayers to End a Sermon On Christmas:
1. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, may the light of Christ shine brightly within us. May the joy of His birth fill us with wonder, and may His peace calm our hearts amidst the busyness of the season. As we reflect on the journey of the Wise Men, the faith of Mary, and the promises of God fulfilled, may we be inspired to seek Him wholeheartedly. Let our homes and hearts be filled with gratitude, love, and kindness, and may we carry the true spirit of Christmas into every corner of our lives, sharing His light with those around us.
2. Heavenly Father, as we draw near to Christmas, we pause to thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In this season of preparation, we remember how You prepared the world for His coming, and we ask that You prepare our hearts to receive Him anew. Help us to let go of distractions and focus on the miracle of His birth—the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. Lord, may we respond to this gift with faith, just as Mary did, trusting in Your promises. May we seek You, like the Wise Men, and offer You the treasure of our hearts. In the midst of life's challenges, may we find peace and hope in the knowledge that Christ is with us, now and always. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
