What we know of the birth of Jesus comes to us as divine revelation in the inspired words of the gospels. The Christmas story comes from the scriptures. These passages are some of the most well-known Bible verses in history. When I prepare Christmas sermons I will read these passages again and again. They are familiar and comforting, and perhaps that’s the problem: because I have come to these passages so often, I am tempted to think that there is nothing new for the Holy Spirit to reveal through these words.
That would be a mistake, because the biblical narrative of the birth of Christ is not only inspired storytelling, but also useful for training in right relationship with God. What better themes for Christmas sermons than to encourage our congregation to go deeper in Christ?
The birth narratives—like all scripture—are fuel for preaching Christmas sermons. These passages are filled with challenges to our faith and the encouragement we need to grow in God. Here are four themes for Christmas sermons from the first chapter of Matthew.
4 Ideas for Christmas Sermons
1. God’s Sovereignty: Poor Joseph
God didn’t get his approval before acting. Can you imagine the real-life shock of these words: “Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1: 18). Mary received an angelic visitation and the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Joseph received the worst news of his life.
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God “drafted” Joseph into a difficult position—would the Almighty ever do the same to us? Have we ever considered the implications of God’s sovereignty? If we affirm that we belong to him, are we willing to be drafted as Joseph was?
2. Right Relationships
The narrative reveals the actions of a righteous man. In his confusion and pain, Joseph’s first concern was for Mary; he “did not want to expose her to public disgrace” (1: 19). How many of us would have this priority? Perhaps this is why the scripture labels Joseph a “righteous man.” Scripture is demonstrating what true righteousness looks like in action.
It’s revealing as well that the scripture describes Joseph’s righteousness not in terms of his relationship to God, but in terms of his relationship to Mary. True righteousness extends two directions—toward God and man.
