Fourth Sunday Of Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Seasonal Theme
The Advent season is a time of expectation, anticipation, and preparation for the coming again of Jesus in Bethlehem and in our own hearts.
Theme For The Day
Mary, the mother of Jesus, as our model of a trusting, faithful servant of God.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
God's Promise To David
The promise is made by God that David would be given a great name and a people. Nathan tells David that God (the Ark) should have a permanent home instead of the portable tent and that David's name will be great and Israel will have its own country (v. 10). So here is the divine promise of a dynasty. The summary of God's care for David in verses 8 and 9 is nice. God has brought David from being a shepherd to making him a prince over the people. And God has been with him all the way. And now God will make his name great and provide a place for his people.
New Testament Lesson
Romans 16:25-27
Paul's Doxology
This doxology is the ending of Paul's letter to the Romans and serves as a "homiletical frame" for the book in which the writer summarizes Paul's gospel. This is the gospel Paul preached and which Jesus brought to us all, counting on us to witness to others. It is one which strengthens us. It is a good news which was always there but brought to us by the Christ. It is gospel for us all and always has been for all humanity. And it is a gospel which calls for our obedience and deep faith. So this letter to the Romans ends with a grand song of praise.
The Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth Of Jesus Foretold
This is no time to argue the doctrine of the virgin birth. Here are some things to notice. Mary and Joseph were engaged which, in that day, often included cohabitation. Jesus' lineage is also traced through Joseph (v. 27). Also, remember that when Mary was searching for Jesus at the Temple, she told him "your father and I have been searching ..." (Luke 2:48). Jesus is often referred to as Joseph's son (Matthew 13:35 and John 6:42). The important thing to note in this story is Mary's willingness to be used in a special way by God. The footnote to verse 28 says, "Blessed are you among women ..." from which we get the formulation of the "Ave Maria." And notice the Holy Spirit is a part of this special conception and birth. Mary calls herself "a servant of the Lord." Then there is a relative Elizabeth who, in her old age, is already six months pregnant (v. 36).
Preaching Possibilities
No matter how hard we try to save the "Christmas theme" until Christmas Eve and the beginning of the liturgical season of Christmas, our people on this Sunday will be immersed in the Christmas story. So let's go with it.
The Old Testament may be a footnote about Jesus' being in the lineage of David and the promise God made with David. The New Testament Romans passage, I think, is more remote and difficult to use.
One could do a two-part sermon titled as "Today: God Begins The Process To Save Us" and, on Christmas Eve, "The Process Continues." One year I used the topical approach and preached on the theme: "Give my love to the family, Part I" and, on Christmas Eve, "Part II." In that case, we looked at the whole Christmas story as God's plan to give love to family (us) much like a person signs a letter or Christmas card or ends a phone call with the words, "Give my love to the family."
That love came through a willing servant, Mary.
That love came to people like us and to all the world through Jesus' birth, death, resurrection, and return in Spirit.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Mary's Christmas or Pregnant With Whose Son?
A. Retell the Gospel story of the angel Gabriel coming to young, yet unwed Mary to tell her of God's plan to come into the world through her body.
1. Mention how this was the fulfillment of what God had promised long ago in the Old Testament lesson: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16. Joseph was in the lineage of David.
2. Tell how the advice of the angel in verse 30 is a big understatement! And how verse 28 is the basis for the familiar "Ave Maria." You may want to arrange to have it sung during this service.
3. Call attention to Mary questioning how this could be done (v. 34) and then the answer that nothing is impossible with God (v. 37).
4. Mention that the fact that Elizabeth was also pregnant fills in the story we have been looking at the last couple Sundays -- for this is John the Baptist who announced Jesus' coming and also baptizes him.
B. Now move to what we can learn about God in this story.
1. God is accustomed to using everyday people to accomplish God's will in the world. Here was an unwed teenager who would become God's instrument of Grace to the world.
2. With God all things are possible if we will submit to God and seek to do God's will (v. 37).
3. The point of Luke's account is not to prove Jesus' divinity because Mary was a virgin, but that the Holy Spirit was a part of the conception and gestation of this son who is and will be very special. "The child will be holy" (v. 37).
C. Discuss how there is a middle ground between the two extremes we see in the observance of Mary. Some worship her making a "holy quartet" and others give her no respect at all. We plead for a middle of the two extremes: a woman who calls for profound respect and devotion as Jesus' mother. And one who was willing to permit the will of God through the Holy Spirit to direct her life. A good example for us.
D. Now move to what we ought to do in our lives because of this lovely Gospel story.
1. Pray that the same Holy Spirit might inspire us to more holy living, serving as God's instruments in the world.
2. Work out ways to show profound respect for Jesus' mother as we observe Christmas this week. Perhaps a Madonna carving or picture predominantly displayed by our Christmas tree.
3. Try to discern what our role might be to cause Jesus' birth again in our community.
E. Close with a prayer of thanking God for Mary and asking God to send the Holy Spirit upon us that we might be a willing servant like she was.
F. Arrange to have portions of the "Ave Maria" sung.
Prayer For The Day
We are thankful, dear Holy Parent, that you worked your glorious grace through Mary. Our prayer today is that you would help us to not only respect her, but also to become more like she was. In her son's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
I took my son and wife and grandson to the airport today. It's the day after Christmas and the place was jammed. The birth of the Christ Child still has the power to move people in great numbers all over the world!
A favorite story at St. John's, Des Moines, is about the Christmas Eve that Pastor Louis Valbracht wanted to let a doll down from the chancel ceiling and into a manger in front of the altar. He was preaching and gave the signal to Pastor Louis Piehl, who stood to the side with a fishing rod and reel to let the baby Jesus down. All went well until Piehl ran out of line about one foot short of the baby's being at rest in the manger. Finally Valbracht came out of the pulpit and pushed the doll into the manger, which pulled Piehl out into the chancel. He ran back to the wings, which pulled the baby back in the air, and so on! How many secular forces try to keep the baby from coming again this year?
One Christmas the movie Back To The Future was being promoted and shown. We often celebrate Christmas in a backward glance at what has been, without considering what this meant for our, and the congregation's, future.
In Sholem Asch's play, Mary, the author has Mary say to her other sons, "For as all rivers tend toward the sea, so every road to God must meet in him. He is the bread for those that hunger after it." In another passage she says to them, "Your qualities, however noble they may be, are the qualities of thirst. But your brother is the libation" (¸ 1949, G. P. Putnam's Sons).
The Advent season is a time of expectation, anticipation, and preparation for the coming again of Jesus in Bethlehem and in our own hearts.
Theme For The Day
Mary, the mother of Jesus, as our model of a trusting, faithful servant of God.
Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
God's Promise To David
The promise is made by God that David would be given a great name and a people. Nathan tells David that God (the Ark) should have a permanent home instead of the portable tent and that David's name will be great and Israel will have its own country (v. 10). So here is the divine promise of a dynasty. The summary of God's care for David in verses 8 and 9 is nice. God has brought David from being a shepherd to making him a prince over the people. And God has been with him all the way. And now God will make his name great and provide a place for his people.
New Testament Lesson
Romans 16:25-27
Paul's Doxology
This doxology is the ending of Paul's letter to the Romans and serves as a "homiletical frame" for the book in which the writer summarizes Paul's gospel. This is the gospel Paul preached and which Jesus brought to us all, counting on us to witness to others. It is one which strengthens us. It is a good news which was always there but brought to us by the Christ. It is gospel for us all and always has been for all humanity. And it is a gospel which calls for our obedience and deep faith. So this letter to the Romans ends with a grand song of praise.
The Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth Of Jesus Foretold
This is no time to argue the doctrine of the virgin birth. Here are some things to notice. Mary and Joseph were engaged which, in that day, often included cohabitation. Jesus' lineage is also traced through Joseph (v. 27). Also, remember that when Mary was searching for Jesus at the Temple, she told him "your father and I have been searching ..." (Luke 2:48). Jesus is often referred to as Joseph's son (Matthew 13:35 and John 6:42). The important thing to note in this story is Mary's willingness to be used in a special way by God. The footnote to verse 28 says, "Blessed are you among women ..." from which we get the formulation of the "Ave Maria." And notice the Holy Spirit is a part of this special conception and birth. Mary calls herself "a servant of the Lord." Then there is a relative Elizabeth who, in her old age, is already six months pregnant (v. 36).
Preaching Possibilities
No matter how hard we try to save the "Christmas theme" until Christmas Eve and the beginning of the liturgical season of Christmas, our people on this Sunday will be immersed in the Christmas story. So let's go with it.
The Old Testament may be a footnote about Jesus' being in the lineage of David and the promise God made with David. The New Testament Romans passage, I think, is more remote and difficult to use.
One could do a two-part sermon titled as "Today: God Begins The Process To Save Us" and, on Christmas Eve, "The Process Continues." One year I used the topical approach and preached on the theme: "Give my love to the family, Part I" and, on Christmas Eve, "Part II." In that case, we looked at the whole Christmas story as God's plan to give love to family (us) much like a person signs a letter or Christmas card or ends a phone call with the words, "Give my love to the family."
That love came through a willing servant, Mary.
That love came to people like us and to all the world through Jesus' birth, death, resurrection, and return in Spirit.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
Title: Mary's Christmas or Pregnant With Whose Son?
A. Retell the Gospel story of the angel Gabriel coming to young, yet unwed Mary to tell her of God's plan to come into the world through her body.
1. Mention how this was the fulfillment of what God had promised long ago in the Old Testament lesson: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16. Joseph was in the lineage of David.
2. Tell how the advice of the angel in verse 30 is a big understatement! And how verse 28 is the basis for the familiar "Ave Maria." You may want to arrange to have it sung during this service.
3. Call attention to Mary questioning how this could be done (v. 34) and then the answer that nothing is impossible with God (v. 37).
4. Mention that the fact that Elizabeth was also pregnant fills in the story we have been looking at the last couple Sundays -- for this is John the Baptist who announced Jesus' coming and also baptizes him.
B. Now move to what we can learn about God in this story.
1. God is accustomed to using everyday people to accomplish God's will in the world. Here was an unwed teenager who would become God's instrument of Grace to the world.
2. With God all things are possible if we will submit to God and seek to do God's will (v. 37).
3. The point of Luke's account is not to prove Jesus' divinity because Mary was a virgin, but that the Holy Spirit was a part of the conception and gestation of this son who is and will be very special. "The child will be holy" (v. 37).
C. Discuss how there is a middle ground between the two extremes we see in the observance of Mary. Some worship her making a "holy quartet" and others give her no respect at all. We plead for a middle of the two extremes: a woman who calls for profound respect and devotion as Jesus' mother. And one who was willing to permit the will of God through the Holy Spirit to direct her life. A good example for us.
D. Now move to what we ought to do in our lives because of this lovely Gospel story.
1. Pray that the same Holy Spirit might inspire us to more holy living, serving as God's instruments in the world.
2. Work out ways to show profound respect for Jesus' mother as we observe Christmas this week. Perhaps a Madonna carving or picture predominantly displayed by our Christmas tree.
3. Try to discern what our role might be to cause Jesus' birth again in our community.
E. Close with a prayer of thanking God for Mary and asking God to send the Holy Spirit upon us that we might be a willing servant like she was.
F. Arrange to have portions of the "Ave Maria" sung.
Prayer For The Day
We are thankful, dear Holy Parent, that you worked your glorious grace through Mary. Our prayer today is that you would help us to not only respect her, but also to become more like she was. In her son's name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
I took my son and wife and grandson to the airport today. It's the day after Christmas and the place was jammed. The birth of the Christ Child still has the power to move people in great numbers all over the world!
A favorite story at St. John's, Des Moines, is about the Christmas Eve that Pastor Louis Valbracht wanted to let a doll down from the chancel ceiling and into a manger in front of the altar. He was preaching and gave the signal to Pastor Louis Piehl, who stood to the side with a fishing rod and reel to let the baby Jesus down. All went well until Piehl ran out of line about one foot short of the baby's being at rest in the manger. Finally Valbracht came out of the pulpit and pushed the doll into the manger, which pulled Piehl out into the chancel. He ran back to the wings, which pulled the baby back in the air, and so on! How many secular forces try to keep the baby from coming again this year?
One Christmas the movie Back To The Future was being promoted and shown. We often celebrate Christmas in a backward glance at what has been, without considering what this meant for our, and the congregation's, future.
In Sholem Asch's play, Mary, the author has Mary say to her other sons, "For as all rivers tend toward the sea, so every road to God must meet in him. He is the bread for those that hunger after it." In another passage she says to them, "Your qualities, however noble they may be, are the qualities of thirst. But your brother is the libation" (¸ 1949, G. P. Putnam's Sons).
