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Children's Activity

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Moving day -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Backpacking -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Materials:Thin ribbonRound lollipops
Backpacking -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
God watches over us -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Today's lesson has some difficult things to share with children.
Follow God's directions -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Teachers or Parents: We would all like our children to
Popular John -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Teachers or Parents: Bring a newspaper or news magazine.
Going with God -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Teachers or Parents: Travel is likely to be part of the
Warned In A Dream -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Today's story gives students a chance to act out the
Hometown pride -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Materials:Hangers String Construction paper Markers

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Bulletin (ages 8-10) -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Bulletin (ages 5-7) -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

What Do We Do with Jesus? -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
A friend once explained it like this: in a dream, he saw a marvelous apparatus of yellow silk billow
Cost of Deliverance (COD) -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- David Coffin -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
In my early years of ministry, I took this Sunday off, and let the supply preacher worry about these
God's love and trust in us -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The Christmas season is over in the secular world.
In praise of praise -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Our English word "carol" emerged from the public celebrations of late Medieval France.
Trapped in stained glass -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
I love stained glass. I grew up in churches that were very traditional, older structures, and
Rock-solid change -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
As the end of the old year draws near, and as the dawn of a new year begins to break, we think about
Vulnerable Savior -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
It is only two days after Christmas.
The suffering children -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1995
When a bomb destroyed the federal building in Oklahoma City earlier this year there was an outpourin
The price of loving! -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Galatians 4:4-7, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Now come the bills! Christmas is a time of exhilarating gift giving.
Search and preserve mission -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- William H. Shepherd -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
"Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty," says the bumper sticker.

Children's bulletin

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Bulletin (ages 8-10) -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Bulletin (ages 5-7) -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007

Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

A Father's Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Call to Worship:

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

A Big Serving of Cruelty for Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Nazish Naseem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2025
For December 28, 2025:
Obedient to Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
For January 1, 2023:
The Dreams We Have for Children -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
For December 29, 2019:
Fleeing Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The gospel text for the First Sunday after Christmas tells of Jesus and his family’s flight to Eg
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
Illustrations For December 30, 2007 From The Immediate Word -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Did you notice that on this first Sunday of Christmas-well, in reality the only Sunday of Chr

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Whose Plans? -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
Object: Ideally, find a big map of the Holy Land to show where Mary and Joseph trav
Trusted Advice -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
Children are at a stage in life where they are told to do all kinds of things.
Instant Obedience -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2017
How many of you have a dog?  Have you ever tried to teach your dog some tricks?  Isn't it amazing ho
Moving On -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Anna Shirey -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
First Thoughts
Likewise -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Moving day -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophe
Brothers and sisters -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the
Backpacking -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt. (v. 14a)
Brothers and sisters -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the
Backpacking -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt. (v. 14a)
We're free! -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Good morning! I cut this notice out of the paper to show
Follow God's directions -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Good morning! In the Gospel reading today, we heard about
Family! -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
I brought this family picture album with me this morning to
Going with God -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Have any of you ever gone to a foreign country? (Let them
A child of God -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
I brought this family picture album with me this morning to
Hebrews 2:10-18 -- In God we trust -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Good morning, boys and girls. I have three coins in my hands.
Galatians 4:4-7 -- Part of God's family -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Good morning, boys and girls. I want to show you a photograph
Pleasant dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Good morning, boys and girls. This morning I brought my

Free Access

Trusted Advice -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
Children are at a stage in life where they are told to do all kinds of things.

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

The Refugees -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Joe shivered and cuddled up against his young wife, now sleeping at last with the baby held secu

Devotional

SermonStudio

Christmas 1 -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely; and he became their
Christmas 1 -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Christmas 1 -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
...
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 148 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

Illustration

The Immediate Word

A Big Serving of Cruelty for Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Nazish Naseem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2025
For December 28, 2025:
Obedient to Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
For January 1, 2023:
The Dreams We Have for Children -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
For December 29, 2019:
Fleeing Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The gospel text for the First Sunday after Christmas tells of Jesus and his family’s flight to Eg
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2023) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
Isaiah 63:7-9
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2019) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
Isaiah 63:7-9
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2013) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Isaiah 63:7-9
When the United States... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
When the United States occupied the Philippines in the 1890s, Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem that prom
Recently my wife... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Recently my wife came home from a ladies Bible study and related this story of mistaken compassion.
The Sunday after... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The Sunday after Christmas is calculated to be a bit of a "downer" compared to the Christmas festiva
If we are suffering... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Bob Ove -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
If we are suffering in any way, it can help to know that God's only son was sent to suffer for us.
The war between... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The war between Austria and Piedmont, which erupted in April 1859, was one of the bloodiest ever rec
Finding something... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Finding something spiritually meaningful in the Holy Family's fleeing to Egypt is a tall order.
William McCumber says... -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
William McCumber says that the men in this section of the scripture are "unwise men." These religiou
NULL -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Isaiah 63:7-9
NULL -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
As a young vaudeville actor Bob Hope found himself alone each Christmas.
NULL -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Mothers, this is for you.
NULL -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
There is a common expression about "walking a mile in someone else's shoes." It even found its way i
NULL -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
"So you understand the roaring wave of fear that swept through the greatest city in the world just a
NULL -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
In Matthew's text today, however, Joseph seems to do a lot based on dreams.
In Ken Follett's The Pillars... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
In Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, the monk, Remigius, has been a
People sometimes come up with... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
People sometimes come up with some strange ideas about Jesus as companion and friend.
Isaiah demonstrates the difference between... -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Isaiah demonstrates the difference between ordinary folks and the extraordinary. It's also

StoryShare

A Series of Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
In 2004 Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan published the book Chronicles: Volume One.

Preaching

The Immediate Word

A Big Serving of Cruelty for Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Nazish Naseem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2025
For December 28, 2025:
Obedient to Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
For January 1, 2023:
The Dreams We Have for Children -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
For December 29, 2019:
Fleeing Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The gospel text for the First Sunday after Christmas tells of Jesus and his family’s flight to Eg
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
Illustrations For December 30, 2007 From The Immediate Word -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Did you notice that on this first Sunday of Christmas-well, in reality the only Sunday of Chr
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are

SermonStudio

First Sunday After Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Theme For The Day
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 148 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas 1, Cycle B; Christmas 1, Cycle C; an
First Sunday after Christmas Day -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9 (C); Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (E)
First Sunday after Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
By specifying this text on the first Sunday after Christmas -- that day so often called "low Sunday,
First Sunday After Christmas -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 148 adapted)
The First Sunday After Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme
First Sunday After Christmas/Holy Family -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 63:7-9 (C)
God enters the human family and leads us through suffering to salvation -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Russell F. Anderson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9 (C, L)
First Sunday After Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1992
Lesson 1: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (E); Isaiah 63:7-9 (C, L)
First Sunday after Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- George M. Bass -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue

Sermon

The Immediate Word

A Big Serving of Cruelty for Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Nazish Naseem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2025
For December 28, 2025:
Obedient to Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
For January 1, 2023:
The Dreams We Have for Children -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
For December 29, 2019:
Fleeing Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The gospel text for the First Sunday after Christmas tells of Jesus and his family’s flight to Eg
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
Illustrations For December 30, 2007 From The Immediate Word -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Did you notice that on this first Sunday of Christmas-well, in reality the only Sunday of Chr
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A

SermonStudio

The Gift that Matters! -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
As we gather on the Sunday after Christmas we do so with a sigh of relief.
The Horror Before The Blessing -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
A few years ago, a woman wrote in exasperation to the editor of her newspaper.
Restoration Frustration -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Tony S. Everett -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Here we are gathered together a few days after Christmas.
Not What You Expected -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- John N. Brittain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Some years ago, my wife and I took a group of students on a short-term mission trip to Belize, the o
The Incarnation: What And Why? -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
We have just remembered again the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus.
The Rest Of The Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Susan R. Andrews -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
Just five days later, the needles are falling, the poinsettias are drooping, and the cookies are sta
A Worldly Salvation -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
In the early 1960s, John A. T.
One Born Among Us -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Have you ever noticed the importance children play in history?
The Power Of A Dream -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Do you dream? Do you remember your dreams?
Why, God? Enough Is Enough -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
E-mail From: KDM To: God Subject: Endurance
Reclaiming The Past, Proclaiming The Future -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- R. Glen Miles -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
What do you do when you need to pick yourself up and move forward into a difficult situation?
Been There, Done That -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- William B. Kincaid, III -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
We can thank Mountain Dew for throwing one more cliché on the heap of cutesy phrases.
We Know Exactly How You Feel, Jesus -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Frank Luchsinger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
Oh, Christmas has come and gone, but its scent lingers: spiced cider, evergreen, bayberry candles,
Holy Love And Herod's Love -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1995
You must understand something about Herod the Great before you can understand what caused him to kil
Divine Naivete -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Paul E. Robinson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1995
If you ask a child for his favorite Christmas carol, you'd better be ready!
Enough! -- Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- John B. Jamison -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1992
There are many things that could be said about this passage. It is an amazing story.
What Is God Like? -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Robert A. Beringer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1992
There is an old story about a little girl who was one day drawing a picture.

Free Access

The Horror Before The Blessing -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
A few years ago, a woman wrote in exasperation to the editor of her newspaper.

Stories

StoryShare

A Series of Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
In 2004 Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan published the book Chronicles: Volume One.
A Life-Saving Monkey -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
"Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; fo
Protecting The Good -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- John Fitzgerald -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Contents"Protecting the Good" by John Fitzgerald* * * * * * *
God With Us -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Contents "Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
Have You Seen Any Eskimos Lately? -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Ron Lavin, Fanny Lee Seville -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week
God's Filling Me -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
StoryShare Edited by John Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt

SermonStudio

When Evil Seems To Win -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- David E. Leininger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
"Peace on earth." Ha! Even in the Christmas story, it doesn't last long.
Warnings -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
Vickie Eckoldt
Identifying With Suffering -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.
So Unnecessary! -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Some things are beyond understanding - especially when a loss of life is preventable.
Christmas Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
Jeff and Cheryl had a dream. Actually they had the same dream.

Worship

The Immediate Word

A Big Serving of Cruelty for Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Nazish Naseem -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2025
For December 28, 2025:
Obedient to Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
For January 1, 2023:
The Dreams We Have for Children -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2019
For December 29, 2019:
Fleeing Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
The gospel text for the First Sunday after Christmas tells of Jesus and his family’s flight to Eg
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
Illustrations For December 30, 2007 From The Immediate Word -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Did you notice that on this first Sunday of Christmas-well, in reality the only Sunday of Chr
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are

SermonStudio

Christmas 1 -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Greeting And Opening Litany P: Brothers and sisters, we gather on this day
Christmas 1 -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Call To WorshipOne: All God's people -- boys and girls, women and men,
Fire And Hail, Snow And Frost -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Isaiah 63:7)
First Sunday After Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
HymnsO For A Thousand Tongues To Sing (CBH110, NCH42, UM57)
First Sunday After Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Theme: God's Saving Acts In HistoryCall To Worship
First Sunday After Christmas -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Theme: Christ -- One With UsCall To Worship
First Sunday After Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Theme: Holy FamilyCall To Worship
First Sunday After Christmas -- Psalm 8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Birth and Escape -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
The Community Acknowledges God's Presence
First Sunday After Christmas (Holy Family) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 63:7-9Theme: Saving PresenceCall To Worship
The Escape To Egypt And The Return From Egypt -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1992
Suggestions:Use as an anthem.
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- B. David Hostetter -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1992
CALL TO WORSHIP
God's saving presence -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 111, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This passage is a typical introduction for a psalm of intercession in that it prefa
Jesus leads us to salvation -- Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
CHRISTMAS 1 -- Psalm 111, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Norman A. Beck -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1986
The emphasis in most of the texts selected for this occasion is on the responsibilities of God as Fa
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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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