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The Nativity of our Lord - B

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

The Prince Of Peace In A World Of Violence -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Originally published for December 24-25, 2005)

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He's the real thing! -- Hebrews 1:1-4 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Good morning! Whose birthday are we celebrating today? (Let
How many know him? -- John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Good morning! What are we celebrating today? (Let them
Our Redeemer -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Many of you have seen coupons before. Chances are your parents use them. But how do coupons work?
Savior, Messiah, Lord -- Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Today I brought a campaign poster of our president.
God's Word -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Whenever someone speaks to us, it is with words.
What's an angel? -- Hebrews 1:1-9 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
(Note: This lesson has more questions for children than other lessons.
View from the manger -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
(Note: Before you begin your story, remove the figurines from the manger scene.
Have patience -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Good evening! Can anybody tell me why we are in church
The birth of Jesus -- Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Merry Christmas, everyone! The day has finally come and we are excited.

Children's Activity

Children's bulletin

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Christ mass -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
How we conceive Christmas is critical to our faith.
Are we great enough? -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Can we measure up to Christmas?
Story versus Message -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Christmastime is a wonderful time.
God in the Wings -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Many in Christendom express concern that Christ is crowded out of Christmas by our fascination with
Home for Christmas -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
My living room contains a painting of the great race between a horse and a steam locomotive by the C
Night watch -- Isaiah 62:6-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Rembrandt's grand painting of The Company of Captain Frans Cocq has captured lingering reflec

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

In a Christmas sermon... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
In a Christmas sermon Martin Luther nicely explained the implications of Christ's nativity for the w
When the University Medical... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
When the University Medical Center of Princeton was ready to construct a new building in 2014, the m
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2014) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
Isaiah 9:2-7
This account of the birth of Christ is so commonplace... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Craig Kelly -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
This account of the birth of Christ is so commonplace this time of year that it can tend to be gloss
In The House of the Dead, Dostoevsky, the great... -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
In The House of the Dead, Dostoevsky, the great Russian writer describes a Christmas day in a
Children, as all parents know, do not have an... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
Children, as all parents know, do not have an innate sense of right and wrong and of proper behavior
In the opening decades of Methodism, it was not... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
In the opening decades of Methodism, it was not a church but a religious society focused on spiritua
In the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
In the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street, which usually appears on television th
It may be hard to believe but the longest reigning... -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Craig Kelly -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
It may be hard to believe but the longest reigning monarchy on earth is in Japan, where its emperors

The Immediate Word

Ups And Mary: A Story Of Delivery / Fear Not! -- Luke 1:46b-55, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Romans 16:25-27, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
To provide you with a full complement of resources, this installment of The Immediate Wor

Worship

SermonStudio

Bulletin Insert for Christmas Day for Year B -- John 1:1-14 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Service For The Christ Candle Reader A: ___________________
Bulletin Insert for Christmas Day for Year B -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Service For The Christ Candle Reader A: ___________________
Christmas Day -- Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Day -- Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Day -- John 1:1-14 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Eve -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Eve -- Psalm 96 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Eve -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Christmas Eve -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Promise Fulfilled: A Gift Given -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
During the last years of the Roman Empire, in the city of Myra, the regional bishop died.
Training For A Purpose -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Some years ago, many of us, like others before and after, went through basic training or boot camp.
First Light -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Curtis Lewis -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Have you ever seen the aurora borealis?
Bedlam Or Bethlehem? -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Frederick R. Harm -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
I wonder if you have ever realized how the word "bedlam" entered our language?
God Is Now Here -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Paul E. Flesner -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once observed that the Christmas event can only be spoken about in poetr
The Hidden Power Of Small Beginnings -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Maurice A. Fetty -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Jesus was born during the golden age of the Roman Empire, under the reign of Caesar Augustus.
Home For Christmas -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Beverly Elliot hadn't seen her son Russell Love in more than four years.
Have I Got News For You! -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- William L. Self -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
My favorite Christmas story is about the young boy who was given a very important role in the church
Light in the Land of Shadows -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
On a trip to Munich, Germany, Samuel Miller had a chance to watch Karl Vallentin, the last of the gr

Free Access

First Light -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Curtis Lewis -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Have you ever seen the aurora borealis?

Preaching

SermonStudio

The Nativity of our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Revised Common Isaiah 9:2-7 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
Baby Talk -- Hebrews 1:1-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Luther said it: When God speaks to humanity, God always speaks in baby talk.
Christmas Eve Day -- Isaiah 9:1-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2001
If we look at the context of the passage, the words that immediately precede and follow it announce
Christmas Day -- Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2001
This is the same Old Testament text that will be specified for Christmas Day in Cycles A and C.
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
God has come among us in the person of his Son -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God has come among us in the person of his Son. Let us rejoice!
Christmas Day -- Psalm 97 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1993
The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- John R. Brokhoff -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1993
A child is born whose name is wonderful and whose government
Christmas -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- George M. Bass -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
Note: A detailed study, with sermon suggestions, is available for the first Christmas service in Cyc
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Seasonal Theme

Poems

Stories

SermonStudio

Flesh -- John 1:1-14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-Sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
Uncle Patrick came to live with us after Gram died, in the fall of my senior year.
Kathy's Caterpillar -- Titus 2:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Diana Lampsa -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
On a recent August morning, I raced into the drive of a retreat center, late for my morning appointm
Three Days Of Meditation -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- John E. Sumwalt, Judy Von Bergen -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Day One

StoryShare

My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation -- Luke 2:29a -- John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Contents
Christmas Communion -- John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Contents1 Sharing Visions, "Christmas Communion" by John Sumwalt
Christmas Communion -- John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Contents Sharing Visions: "Christmas Communion" by John E. Sumwalt

Drama

Prayer

Devotional

UPCOMING WEEKS
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New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days. Lately, the idea of martyrdom has fallen under a bit of a cloud, don't you think? What do you think of when you hear about martyrs? In my experience, a martyr is either reduced to a psychological complex foisted off on someone who does too much for others, or it's a poor child with a dynamite vest ready to doom himself or herself and plenty of others for the sake of the cause, and the cash benefits paid to the family, after the fact. There's no question about it. The stock on martyrdom is way, way down these days.
David E. Leininger
"Christ is our cornerstone!" That motto was chosen over a century ago for the congregation I now serve. It was October 29, 1895, at 2:30 in the afternoon, that the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the forebears of today's congregation, gathered outside in Pennsylvania's autumn chill to see the laying of the cornerstone of the church building that has been in use ever since.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
God is ready to swoop down and rescue us from the burdens we carry and to lift the heart aches! Our God has known us since birth through old age and gray hair and He will sustain us today!

OFFERING THOUGHT
The secret of money is enjoying the opportunity of giving it away for the glory of God.

BENEDICTION
May the God who transforms disappointments to joy do that for you this week. Amen.



SERMON BRIEFS

Holiness, The Trademark Of A Holy Person
Lee Griess
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met? Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge." To which Rogers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry.
Richard L. Sheffield
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1 NRSV).

Since everything that follows for the rest of the passage I just read from John is commentary on that, we need to hear that clearly, before we hear anything else.

This is the closest English can get to the Greek of John's Gospel: "Let not be troubled of you the heart; Believe in God, also in me believe."1

And here are the translations of others who have listened and interpreted these words for you and me:
Robert J. Elder
In the earliest experience of the church, the apostles soon discovered that their teaching and preaching duties were taking an incredible amount of energy. As the community of believers grew in numbers, and they continued in their commitment to hold all things in common, it became obvious that some details of the life of the community would need more attention than the twelve apostles themselves could give. It was decided to appoint deacons to serve the needs of the church, particularly the needs of the poor and widows who could no longer care for themselves. Seven were appointed.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Confession And Forgiveness
P: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is
the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold.
As he prepares a place for us,
let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
P: Gossip, despair, deceit,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 31:15-16)

One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

All: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.


Collect
 Strengthen us, Lord, in the time of testing and trial, calling to mind the example of the martyrs who died for our faith. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For May 3, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
It is hard for us, living after the resurrection, to understand how Jesus, who was clearly a mortal man, could come to be worshipped as though he were God. Since we believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, we tend to endow his ministry with a divine glow. How could the authorities not see that Jesus was, indeed, the son of God? How did they explain away his miracles? How did they ignore how the average people felt about him?
David Kalas
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.

If you are like me, then you have attended a great many more shows, plays, and performances than you have participated in. And, as members of the audience, the time between acts is an intermission -- an opportunity to stretch your legs, to use the restroom, to enjoy some refreshments.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Scott Dalgarno
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
"Please Don't Forget Me" by Scott Dalgarno
"An Unwanted Gift" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Peter Andrew Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Refuge" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


Words of Power
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 7:55-60

The principal looked at the boy holding the cloth up to his nose. His hair was dishevelled, his lip swollen, and his clothes bore the stains of the muddy playground. The nurse examined him but his bleeding nostrils seemed his greatest injury.

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Good morning, boys and girls. (Show the rubbing of the cornerstone.) Does anyone know what I'm holding? (Let them answer.) This is a rubbing of the cornerstone of our church building. (Read to them what the cornerstone says. Tell them where the cornerstone is located.) I hope that when church is over this morning you can go out and look at and touch the real cornerstone. Cornerstones are very important. Does anyone know the purpose of a cornerstone? (Let them answer.) It's important because it is at the very foundation of our building. The church building is built on top of it.
Good morning, boys and girls. (Have your road map opened as you talk. Examine the map as you greet the children.) If I wanted to take a trip to (name a familiar city in your area) but I wasn't certain how to get there, what could I use to help me? (Let them answer.) A road map! I just happen to have one here. I'm looking for my direction right now. (Point out the way to your destination.) When you go on vacation do your parents sometimes give you road maps to follow? (Let them answer.) A road map is very important when you are going places that you've never been before.

Special Occasion

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