By The Rev. Rachel Brown
Sunday, December 11, 2011 · Third Sunday of Advent
Sermon Series: Tear Open the Heavens – Isaiah 64:1
Sermon Text: Luke 1:46-55
Sermon Theme
It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one.
Sermon Outline
Worship Fully
It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Spend Less
How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? We’re asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Looking for ways to give gifts that don't cost a lot of money? Have a few ideas you'd like to share? Head to rethinkingchristmas.com today.
Give More
God’s gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it’s no wonder why we’re drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving.
Love All
When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most.
