Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Prior to the revision of the church year and lectionary, the Fourth Sunday of Advent really was "Christmas" Sunday in many Protestant churches. Lections were changed, Christmas hymns and carols were sung, and sermons were oriented toward the celebration of Christmas rather than toward Advent. It was almost as if there were two celebrations of Christmas; people could take their choice of attending one or the other - or both - of the Christmas services. Such practices were a natural outgrowth of interpreting Advent as a time to prepare for "the birth of Christ in our hearts" at Christmas.