Preparing the way
Children's sermon
Object:
a box, some wrapping paper, bows, scissors, and tape
Good morning. I brought one of the Christmas gifts I want
to give with me this morning. I suppose I could just give this
box, but it wouldn't seem as special. I always like to wrap my
Christmas gifts in the finest wrapping paper and top each gift
with a bow. Is that how you like your gifts? (Let them answer.)
I have to prepare for Christmas giving by purchasing my gift
and then wrapping it. (Begin wrapping the box now so that by the
end of the children's sermon, you have completely wrapped it.)
There are many steps involved in just giving a Christmas gift.
See how I have to cut the paper and tape it to the box. All this
is preparation.
Today we hear about someone who comes to prepare. Who am I
talking about? (Let them answer.)
That's right -- John the
Baptist. And what is he preparing? (Let them answer.) He is
preparing for Jesus to come.
During this season of Advent we are all preparers like John
the Baptist. We are all preparing for Jesus to come -- at
Christmas and at the end of all time. Preparation is important.
If I didn't take the time to prepare my gift for Christmas
giving, I don't think my gift would be as special as it will be
with the wrapping paper, bow, and the special things I do with
the gift as I prepare to give it. In the same way, as we prepare
for Jesus to come, his coming will be that much more special,
too.
I'm glad we have this season of Advent for us to prepare for
Jesus' coming. I'm glad and excited Jesus is coming. I look
forward to Christmas. But meanwhile, I prepare. Today I want
you to ask your parents, your Sunday school teacher, and others,
for some good ideas on how we can all prepare for Jesus. Will
you do that today? (Let them answer.)
Good. Let's pray:
Dearest Lord Jesus: We prepare for your coming. Amen.
to give with me this morning. I suppose I could just give this
box, but it wouldn't seem as special. I always like to wrap my
Christmas gifts in the finest wrapping paper and top each gift
with a bow. Is that how you like your gifts? (Let them answer.)
I have to prepare for Christmas giving by purchasing my gift
and then wrapping it. (Begin wrapping the box now so that by the
end of the children's sermon, you have completely wrapped it.)
There are many steps involved in just giving a Christmas gift.
See how I have to cut the paper and tape it to the box. All this
is preparation.
Today we hear about someone who comes to prepare. Who am I
talking about? (Let them answer.)
That's right -- John the
Baptist. And what is he preparing? (Let them answer.) He is
preparing for Jesus to come.
During this season of Advent we are all preparers like John
the Baptist. We are all preparing for Jesus to come -- at
Christmas and at the end of all time. Preparation is important.
If I didn't take the time to prepare my gift for Christmas
giving, I don't think my gift would be as special as it will be
with the wrapping paper, bow, and the special things I do with
the gift as I prepare to give it. In the same way, as we prepare
for Jesus to come, his coming will be that much more special,
too.
I'm glad we have this season of Advent for us to prepare for
Jesus' coming. I'm glad and excited Jesus is coming. I look
forward to Christmas. But meanwhile, I prepare. Today I want
you to ask your parents, your Sunday school teacher, and others,
for some good ideas on how we can all prepare for Jesus. Will
you do that today? (Let them answer.)
Good. Let's pray:
Dearest Lord Jesus: We prepare for your coming. Amen.
