8 Christmas Sermon Ideas
Christmas Eve services are often the second-most-attended of the church year. Cousins are in town, lapsed members are present, and the candles do half the work. The pastor's task is to preach the incarnation with such freshness that the familiar story lands as news.
The ideas below cover the four Sundays of Advent plus Christmas Eve itself — angles that move past the manger scene without leaving the manger.
John 1:1–14
1. The Word Became Flesh
The eternal Word took on humanity without ceasing to be God.
- •In the beginning was the Word.
- •All things were made by him.
- •The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
- •Full of grace and truth.
Luke 2:8–14
2. Unto You Is Born a Saviour
The angel announces a gospel, not a holiday.
- •Shepherds, not kings — God's people.
- •Fear not — the first word of Christmas.
- •A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- •Glory to God, peace on earth.
Matthew 1:18–25
3. Immanuel: God With Us
The name announces the meaning of the manger.
- •Joseph's dilemma.
- •Thou shalt call his name JESUS.
- •Behold, a virgin shall be with child.
- •What 'God with us' costs and gives.
Luke 1:46–55
4. The Magnificat
Mary's song is a manifesto of God's upside-down kingdom.
- •My soul doth magnify the Lord.
- •He hath regarded the low estate.
- •He hath put down the mighty.
- •Holy is his name.
Matthew 2:1–12
5. Wise Men Still Seek Him
The Gentiles' first worship of Christ frames the world's invitation.
- •A star in the east.
- •Herod troubled — Christ unsettles the powerful.
- •Gold, frankincense, myrrh.
- •Departed into their own country another way.
Luke 2:1–7
6. No Room in the Inn
The Savior born outside the door reveals the world's heart and offers Himself anyway.
- •A decree from Caesar Augustus.
- •A young couple from Nazareth.
- •Wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger.
- •Will you make room?
Hebrews 2:9–18
7. Why the Incarnation?
Five reasons God became man.
- •To die for sin.
- •To destroy the devil's work.
- •To deliver them through fear of death.
- •To be a faithful high priest.
- •To succour them that are tempted.
Isaiah 9:2–7
8. Light Has Come
Christmas is the dawn of the prophesied light.
- •The people that walked in darkness.
- •Unto us a child is born.
- •His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.
- •Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.
Recommended readings
- Isaiah 7:14 — The virgin birth prophesied.
- Micah 5:2 — Bethlehem named seven centuries early.
- Luke 1–2 — The infancy narratives.
- John 1:1-18 — The theological Christmas account.