Worship Notes for Advent and Christmas 2024
December 1 First Sunday of Advent Luke 21:25-36
Sermon Title: “Lift Up Your Heads, Your Redemption Draws Near”
Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds
specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous
Branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus’
contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.” With them, we eagerly await the coming days:
another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.
December 8 Second Sunday of Advent Luke 3:1-6
Sermon Title: “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”
Forerunners and messengers advance the advent of our God. While John the Baptist’s voice in the wilderness may be
the principal focus of the day, Malachi’s prophecy could as easily herald the coming Christ as the forerunner of the
LORD of hosts. Finally, all the baptized are called to participate in the sharing of the gospel. In so doing we prepare the
way for the coming of Jesus and assist all people in capturing a vision of the “salvation of God.”
December 15 Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-18
Sermon Title: “The Joy of Repentance and Renewal”
Christ’s presence in our midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of God in prayer, in
every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with a winnowing
fork in hand is good news—and cause for exultation—for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third
Sunday of Advent.
December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]
Sermon Title: “The Magnificat: A Song of Hope and Fulfillment”
The cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little
town of Bethlehem and Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms
that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the
church always lives as when in Holy Communion—with high delight—“we proclaim the Lord’s death.”
December 24 Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
Sermon Title: “The Light of the World Has Come”
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised
king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus
Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone,
including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with
the whole world.
December 29 First Sunday of Christmas Luke 2:41-52
Sermon Title: “Growing in Wisdom and Grace”
On the First Sunday of Christmas, we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus, both in the temple, both growing in
wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God “to sing psalms,
hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with a savior. As the festival continues, “let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts.” It is Christmas, still.
December 1 First Sunday of Advent Luke 21:25-36
Sermon Title: “Lift Up Your Heads, Your Redemption Draws Near”
Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds
specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous
Branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus’
contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.” With them, we eagerly await the coming days:
another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.
December 8 Second Sunday of Advent Luke 3:1-6
Sermon Title: “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”
Forerunners and messengers advance the advent of our God. While John the Baptist’s voice in the wilderness may be
the principal focus of the day, Malachi’s prophecy could as easily herald the coming Christ as the forerunner of the
LORD of hosts. Finally, all the baptized are called to participate in the sharing of the gospel. In so doing we prepare the
way for the coming of Jesus and assist all people in capturing a vision of the “salvation of God.”
December 15 Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-18
Sermon Title: “The Joy of Repentance and Renewal”
Christ’s presence in our midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of God in prayer, in
every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with a winnowing
fork in hand is good news—and cause for exultation—for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third
Sunday of Advent.
December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]
Sermon Title: “The Magnificat: A Song of Hope and Fulfillment”
The cradle and cross are inextricably connected on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Between a lovely tribute to the little
town of Bethlehem and Mary’s magnificent song of praise, the letter to the Hebrews reminds us in no uncertain terms
that Christ’s advent is for “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” It is the kind of tension in which the
church always lives as when in Holy Communion—with high delight—“we proclaim the Lord’s death.”
December 24 Christmas Eve Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
Sermon Title: “The Light of the World Has Come”
In winter’s deepest night, we welcome the light of the Christ child. Isaiah declares that the light of the long-promised
king will illumine the world and bring endless peace and justice. Paul reminds us that the grace of God through Jesus
Christ brings salvation to all people. The angels declare that Jesus’ birth is good and joyful news for everyone,
including lowly shepherds. Filled with the light that shines in our lives, we go forth to share the light of Christ with
the whole world.
December 29 First Sunday of Christmas Luke 2:41-52
Sermon Title: “Growing in Wisdom and Grace”
On the First Sunday of Christmas, we find the boy Samuel and the boy Jesus, both in the temple, both growing in
wisdom and stature and in favor with God and humankind. We too have returned to the house of God “to sing psalms,
hymns, and spiritual songs to God,” who has gifted us with a savior. As the festival continues, “let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts.” It is Christmas, still.