I knew when Pastor asked me if I was especially busy for the next couple of weeks that I should have told him that, in fact, I was busier than a Cranberry Agent. Now, I am busier than a Cranberry Agent, but, without thinking, instead of telling him that I said, “Why, what’s up?” Welllll, what “was up” was that he was looking for someone to do some research for him and he was kind of trying to sneak in through the back door, so to speak. Before I knew what was happening, he had me on the Internet looking for Christmas Sermon Ideas.
Oh, he was slick! He started out by telling me how hard it is at times to find Topical Sermons for Advent. Then he told me that we need to locate an Advent Sermon Series fairly soon, because, as he adroitly pointed out, “Christmas is just around the corner.” Then he snuck in the fact that I am an Elder of the church, and that he highly respects my judgment. I knew right then I was in trouble – – when he alludes to the fact that I am highly respected he figures he has me nibbling at the bait and he is getting ready to set the hook. Before I could think up an excuse that would allow me to wiggle away, he smiled and dealt me the death blow when he said, “Elder, I know you’ll do a good job.”
I didn’t mind him grinning, but when he snickered as he walked away I figured that not only had I been had, but that he was enjoying the fact that he was the instigator of the “haddin’.” Resolving myself to the fact that he had won, I solaced myself with the verse that advises us to never grow weary of doing good, and made my way to the ol’ lap top to see what I could come up with.
I realized that I needed to be looking for something special for this December Sermon Series, and decided that I would concentrate on searching for something that would allow this year’s Seasonal Advent Celebration to focus on Christ during Christmas. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when I came across SEASONING THE SEASON: Bringing out the Flavor of Christ in Christmas Traditions. Geared to far more than just helping us remember that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” this Sermon Series encourages people to focus on Christ in the very traditions that have become part of our celebration of Christmas: Decorating our homes, exchanging Christmas greetings, giving and receiving gifts, gathering with family and friends, and entering the new year by setting goals. What I found to be down right intriguing was the fact that the series, rather than being based on the traditional “Christmas texts” as found in Matthew and Luke are actually taken from the epistles!
Comprised of a Seven Part Series, the Sermon Themes encourage the congregation to:
- Grace Your Home with More Than Decorations
- Greet Others with Expressions of God’s Love
- Give with the Generosity of Christ
- Gather Together with Jesus Near
- Glorify God in His House and Your Heart
- Gratefully Receive What You’ve Given
- Go for Godly Goals
As well as the subject matter, I was impressed with how in-depth the material you receive is. There is a resourceful Pastor’s Manual that includes complete sermon manuscripts you can use, or rework; alternative sermon notes and illustrations and quotations. As well as all the sermon aids, there are Worship Ideas and December Devotional Calendars that can be distributed to the congregation. To learn more about this wonderful Sermon Series, go to http://sundaysolutions.com/seasoning-the-season.html I would suggest you don’t delay, for as Pastor so adroitly pointed out, “Christmas is just around the corner!”
