Freshening our breath and our spirits
Children's sermon
Object:
Listerine Oral Care Strips, Tic Tacs, or something to cleanse the breath
Hello, boys and girls. We are getting so close to Christmas we can hardly breathe! Within 24 hours Jesus Christ will be reborn in our hearts. Everyone loves Christmas with all the music, gift-giving, visits with relatives, and family dinners. It is a wonderful time of year.
Even with all the festivities, we shouldn't forget the reason Jesus was born. He did not come into the world so we could exchange gifts. Jesus did not come to have a big dinner with his whole family. He was born so that he could change us into the children of God. Jesus came to purify us and make us like him, always ready to do good for others.
The Bible says that Jesus came to purify us. How many of you know what purify means? (let them answer) It means that we should be free from sin and be filled with love.
I brought something with me that may teach us a little bit about being pure. I have some "oral care strips" that should purify your mouth. (you may want to use Tic Tacs or something else) What I want you to do is stick out your tongue so I can place one of these tiny strips on it. Then put your tongue back in and close your mouth. Your mouth will be fresh and purified right away. (proceed to pass these out one at a time; you should receive many different reactions)
How did you like the strips? (listen to the reactions) Does your mouth feel clean? Is your breath fresh? (let them answer)
Jesus came into our lives to make us fresh and clean. When Jesus is in our hearts we talk and act differently. We look for ways to help other people. We don't have to be asked to visit people who are lonely or ill. We don't have to be asked to share our food or clothing with people who are hungry or cold. We just do it and keep on doing it because we know how much Jesus did for us and how he purified us.
The next time you want to know what it means to be purified, I hope you'll remember when I put the little strip on your tongue and you felt something different immediately. Your mouth felt clean and your breath felt fresh.
That's the way Jesus comes to us. He takes us away from sin and danger and brings us to his way of life, filled with love and promise. I hope you have a very merry Christmas and that your heart will be filled with God.
Even with all the festivities, we shouldn't forget the reason Jesus was born. He did not come into the world so we could exchange gifts. Jesus did not come to have a big dinner with his whole family. He was born so that he could change us into the children of God. Jesus came to purify us and make us like him, always ready to do good for others.
The Bible says that Jesus came to purify us. How many of you know what purify means? (let them answer) It means that we should be free from sin and be filled with love.
I brought something with me that may teach us a little bit about being pure. I have some "oral care strips" that should purify your mouth. (you may want to use Tic Tacs or something else) What I want you to do is stick out your tongue so I can place one of these tiny strips on it. Then put your tongue back in and close your mouth. Your mouth will be fresh and purified right away. (proceed to pass these out one at a time; you should receive many different reactions)
How did you like the strips? (listen to the reactions) Does your mouth feel clean? Is your breath fresh? (let them answer)
Jesus came into our lives to make us fresh and clean. When Jesus is in our hearts we talk and act differently. We look for ways to help other people. We don't have to be asked to visit people who are lonely or ill. We don't have to be asked to share our food or clothing with people who are hungry or cold. We just do it and keep on doing it because we know how much Jesus did for us and how he purified us.
The next time you want to know what it means to be purified, I hope you'll remember when I put the little strip on your tongue and you felt something different immediately. Your mouth felt clean and your breath felt fresh.
That's the way Jesus comes to us. He takes us away from sin and danger and brings us to his way of life, filled with love and promise. I hope you have a very merry Christmas and that your heart will be filled with God.
