Sermons For Advent To Christmas Eve

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Alex Gondola says that in our modern culture we sometimes "experience Christmas at its worst: overcommercialized, expensive, exhausting, nearly devoid of spiritual significance." In this collection of twenty cogent and inspiring sermons for Advent and Christmas, he reminds us of the key to putting the season in its proper perspective -- "Don't forget the child!" For it is only when we are drawn nearer to the child of Bethlehem, celebrating the simple beauties of the stable, that we can escape from the rush of the season into the divine light of saving grace heralded by the birth of God's Son. This volume is an exceptional source of inspiration for sermon preparation, but it's also excellent for personal devotions exploring the meaning of Advent and Christmas. It's a great Christmas gift! Alex Gondola has given us a lovely round of Advent and Christmas meditations. They are reflective and delightful. They shine with little gems of human interest stories that can light our path throughout the whole year. Catherine Clark Kroeger Editor, Study Bible for Women (The New Testament) This outstanding collection of Advent/Christmas sermons brings rich insights and new appreciation for the wondrous story of Christ's coming. Whether you are in a pew or in a pulpit on Sundays, you will be grateful for this book. Dr. William P. Baker Senior Pastor Emeritus, First Presbyterian Church Allentown, Pennsylvania Author of Everyone in the Bible, Who's Who in Church History, A Savior for All Seasons Alex Gondola, a master preacher, in this collection of sermons, with wonderful illustrations, can assist the working preacher expand her or his creative imagination for Advent and Christmas preaching. Dr. Benjamin Griffin President and Professor of Liturgics Andover Newton Theological School Alex A. Gondola Jr. is senior pastor of Dennis Union Church (United Church of Christ) in Dennis, Massachusetts (located on Cape Cod). He has also served congregations in Springfield, Massachusetts; Rome, New York; and Utica, New York. Gondola is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania (B.A.), Andover Newton Theological School (M.Div.), and Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York (D.Min.), and has also studied at the New College of Divinity of the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). He is the author of Come As You Are (CSS), and contributed several stewardship sermons to the CSS anthology From Every Angle.

This comprehensive resource of five sermons with complete worship services provides a solid, thematically integrated worship and preaching program for Advent and Christmas Eve. It celebrates the deep songs of faith that result from personal encounters with Jesus Christ. The four Advent messages examine biblical personalities, revealing in their experiences real struggles as well as profound joy. You'll explore how Zechariah wrestled to believe what the angel told him concerning the birth of his son; how the prophets searched for God's Word of hope in times of personal and social ferment; how Mary was willing to sacrifice her life for God's purpose; and how the birth of Jesus, heralded by the angels and confirmed by the shepherds, combined fear and joy with divine music. In the final sermon (for Christmas Eve), Oliver links those accounts with our contemporary lives by asking what our personal response will be to the birth of the Savior. Will we allow a song of faith to arise in our lives, in our families, churches, and community? Illustrated with poignant stories and anecdotes, the sermons in Songs For A Savior invite us to hear again the truly good news -- that our song of faith is not so much what we create for God, as how we respond to meeting the Savior and receiving God's gift of salvation through Jesus. Songs For A Savior comes from the heart of one who knows the Savior. Oliver offers these worship resources from his years of helping persons discover the Savior. The liturgies develop a theme for each Sunday, and the sermons weave biblical truths into the complexities of our modern lives, enabling new insights and personal convictions. Congregations experiencing Songs For A Savior will grow in their commitment to love and serve the Savior William R. Harvey Pastor Emeritus, Church of the Savior Canton, Ohio David M. Oliver holds an M.Div. degree from Duke University Divinity School and a D.Min. degree in Spiritual Formation from Asbury Theological Seminary. Currently the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Dover, Ohio, Oliver has served churches in Ohio since 1980, and has participated in the Academy for Preaching. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at Malone College in Canton, Ohio, teaching in the field of spiritual growth and worship. He is the author of Gifts We Bring To Honor The King (CSS).

This book provides a complete worship resource for busy pastors... - Sermons for Advent, Christmas Eve, and the Sunday after Christmas - Advent candle readings with scripture verses - Pastoral prayers - Children's object lessons - Dramatic monologues which can be presented by the pastor or a lay person Assign the materials... schedule the sermon titles... then relax and enjoy the season with your family as you employ these inspiring materials in your congregation. Thomas A. Pilgrim is senior pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia. He is a member of the United Methodist Academy for Preaching and a leader of workshops on preaching. He has served on mission trips to Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, as well as on building projects for Habitat for Humanity. His travels have included seven trips to the Holy Land as a tour host/leader. He has written five other books as well as contributions to the preaching journal Emphasis. Lisa Johnson, Who wrote the readings called "The Beholders," is a candidate for ministry in the United Methodist Church. A native of Texas and a graduate of Queens College (City University of New York) and Candler School of Theology (Emory University), Johnson has worked for advertising agencies in New York and Atlanta.