Apart from the many helps for a Christmas sermon, the Preachers Institute would like to offer you one more article to spice up a Nativity service for those who attend your worship. There’s nothing better than when ‘the lights go on’ for our listeners, and they see or hear something perhaps they’ve never understood, or perceived before. Add these Scripture verses to your Christmas sermons, and offer a brief explanation of these points.
If your listeners learn something from your sermon, they will remember it. And that’s good preaching!
Scripture verses for Christmas Sermons
Virgin Birth: Matthew 1:23
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name, Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14
A young woman conceiving and bearing a son happens thousands of times a week. It’s no sign from the Lord.
The Adoration of the Magi: Matthew 2:1-2;
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! Psalm 72:10-11
The Star: Matthew 2:2
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: a star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17
The star of Bethlehem was, according to the Fathers, not an astronomical event, but a revelation of Divine Energy.
Born in Bethlehem: Matthew 2:5
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2
Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” Remind your listeners that immediately after His birth, Jesus was placed in a manger – a feeding troth.
Slaughter of the Holy Innocents: Matthew 2:6
Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not.” Jeremiah 31:15
Flight into Egypt: Matthew 2:15
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1
Donkeys and Oxen at Nativity scenes!
The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.” Isaiah 1:3
Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will he spend the night at your crib? Job 39:9
There is a similarity in sound and meaning between the Hebrew word for branch (nazer) and the word Nazareth (nazeroth)
“He shall be called a Nazarene” Matthew 2:23
There is no verse like this in the Old Testament. Rather, Matthew is interpreting the Old Testament in several places theologically. What did he mean? The word ‘branch’ (nazer) is a specific Messianic reference in the Old Testament in many places, and therefore Jesus is called the Branch (nazer) in many places
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men of good omen: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, upon the stone which I have set before Joshua, upon a single stone with seven facets, I will engrave its inscription, says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. Zechariah 3:8-9
In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel. Isaiah 4:2
You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I make you hear new things, hidden things which you have not known. Isaiah 48:6
(‘hidden things’ is literally ‘nazeroth’ – the city of Nazareth is literally in this verse!
“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: `The LORD is our righteousness.’ Jer. 23:5-6
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: `The LORD is our righteousness.’ Jer. 33:15-16
Brothers, I hope this is at least interesting, if not helpful for you. Offer your best at this great season of the Nativity of the Lord. God will bless you as you proclaim His Truth to a hopeful and hungry congregation.
May God grant you your heart’s desire this Nativity season!
