Give us a cheer!
Children's sermon
Object:
have the children stand up and raise their heads
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever been to a football, basketball, or baseball game in a big stadium? (let them answer) Do you know what people do when someone scores a touchdown or hits a home run? (let them answer) That's right, they stand up and cheer, clap their hands, and yell. Would you like to pretend that you are there? The game is almost over, we are behind but we have a chance. All we have to do is run five yards or hit a home run with the bases loaded and we will win. And there it is! (have the children stand and applaud) What an exciting time!
This is the First Sunday of Advent and we are preparing for Jesus to return. Jesus tells us a little bit about what to expect. If I were a television announcer, I might describe it a little like this: Listeners, we have been getting reports in from around the world. Right here in our own town, some very strange things are happening. It is really something. People from all over the world are running around asking what is going on. The moon seemed to be moving in different directions last night. The stars would come down and almost touch the earth and then bounce back into the sky like they were tied to a large elastic cord. The sun is brighter than I have ever seen it, and it's closer but not hotter. There seem to be different colors in the sun than bright orange, but I have never heard of those kinds of colors before. And the oceans are rolling, really rolling. People tell me that if you live within 100 miles of the oceans you can hear them roar, really roar, louder than a lion in the next room. People are frightened and are fainting, but others tell me that if you read your Bible you will see the Son of Man, which means Jesus, coming to us on a cloud and he will be filled with power and will look glorious.
If you heard Jesus stand here and tell you this, would you just sit there with your eyes shut and your hands folded? (let them answer) I don't think so. It would be more exciting than a home run or a winning touchdown. Let's stand up and cheer for the return of Jesus. Let's ask everyone to stand up and cheer. (have the congregation stand and applaud) That's what it will be like when Jesus comes, and I guarantee you that you will stand and give great applause.
This is the First Sunday of Advent and we are preparing for Jesus to return. Jesus tells us a little bit about what to expect. If I were a television announcer, I might describe it a little like this: Listeners, we have been getting reports in from around the world. Right here in our own town, some very strange things are happening. It is really something. People from all over the world are running around asking what is going on. The moon seemed to be moving in different directions last night. The stars would come down and almost touch the earth and then bounce back into the sky like they were tied to a large elastic cord. The sun is brighter than I have ever seen it, and it's closer but not hotter. There seem to be different colors in the sun than bright orange, but I have never heard of those kinds of colors before. And the oceans are rolling, really rolling. People tell me that if you live within 100 miles of the oceans you can hear them roar, really roar, louder than a lion in the next room. People are frightened and are fainting, but others tell me that if you read your Bible you will see the Son of Man, which means Jesus, coming to us on a cloud and he will be filled with power and will look glorious.
If you heard Jesus stand here and tell you this, would you just sit there with your eyes shut and your hands folded? (let them answer) I don't think so. It would be more exciting than a home run or a winning touchdown. Let's stand up and cheer for the return of Jesus. Let's ask everyone to stand up and cheer. (have the congregation stand and applaud) That's what it will be like when Jesus comes, and I guarantee you that you will stand and give great applause.
