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Advent 2007 Resources
Many pastors plan well in advance for their Advent/Christmas sermons. So the Center for Excellence in Preaching is doing what retail stores so often do: we're hauling out some Christmas stuff even before it is Halloween!
On this page you will find that we have imported some Advent/Christmas resources from elsewhere on the CEP website, concentrating them here in one spot for your convenience. We will also post sermon ideas as well as whole sermons on Year A Lectionary texts for Advent 2007.
Introducing Advent
Secular society knows a little something about Christmas but virtually nothing about Advent. The danger for the Church is to end up going in this same direction. In our rush to get to the manger, we are tempted to downplay-or completely ignore-the Advent themes that the Church has long believed are necessary so that we can come to the cradle of Christ in the right way. Read more.
Advent 2007: Links to Sample Sermons on Year A Lectionary Texts
The Year A Common Lectionary for Advent focuses on Matthew's Gospel. In this connection, we highly recommend the two-volume commentary on Matthew by Frederick Dale Bruner (now available through Eerdmans Publishing Company). Bruner's deep insights into the text are invaluable and translate seamlessly into sermons as well.
Remember, too, that more detailed sermon starter ideas will be posted each Monday during Advent (with ideas for the upcoming Sunday's Lectionary text) on the "This Week in Preaching" page.
To see sample sermons on Year A texts and listen to some audio sermons on those texts, Click Here.
Worship Resources from our Ministry Partner at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
At the CICW website you will find a wealth of service planning ideas as well as further ideas for Advent sermon series, Advent music and much more.
Scriptures and Statements of Faith Applying to the Theme of Christmas
The following texts are particularly appropriate for sermons or for supplemental liturgical use.
Scripture Passages:| Psalm 97 | Psalm 98 | Psalm 147 |
| Psalm 148 | Isaiah 52:7-10 | Isaiah 61:10-62:12 |
| Isaiah 63:7-9 | Jeremiah 31:7-14 | Matthew 1:18-2:23 |
| Luke 2 | John 1:1-18 | Galatians 4:4-7 |
| Ephesians 1:3-14 | Ephesians 2:13-18 | Titus 2:11-14 |
| Titus 3:4-7 | Hebrews 1:1-12 | Hebrews 2:10-18 |
| 1 John 4:13-16 |
Statements:
| Belgic Confession, Art. 18-19 | Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A's 35-36 |
| Westminster Confession, Chap. VIII, Sec. 2-3 | Our Song of Hope, st. 3 |
| Our World Belongs to God, st. 24 |
Advent Sermon Series
A few suggestions for possible Advent Sermon Series. Read More.
Advent and Christmas Liturgy and Service Planning Resources
A number of recommended articles from past issues of Reformed Worship Magazine. Read more or jump directly to the Reformed Worship Advent/Christmas archive.