Last Minute Christmas Idea/Illustration (Repost)

If you’re like me, you will take any ideas in order to make the final Christmas/Christmas Eve/Advent message special. Every preacher wants to carefully craft his words on Christmas Eve in order to make the service meaningful and Christ-exalting.

Recently, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, I preached a sermon on Zechariah’s song (the Benedictus) from Luke 1:67-79. Looking back through Luke 1, I challenged the congregation to learn from what the Lord did to Zechariah by being still and listening. Instead of us being so diligent about telling God how to do His job, we would serve our souls well if we would remember the job He is already doing.

To illustrate, I told the story of the song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Read about it here. Of course, this story is intriguing in a host of ways. What struck me about it for this sermon, however, was what Wadsworth heard. He was quiet and listening in the midst of struggle and pain. While wrestling with his life’s circumstances, he heard bells.

You may not be preaching from Zechariah’s song on Christmas, but perhaps you can use the Wadsworth’s poem/song as an illustration.

What are you planning to say, preacher?

Comment below and let’s share with each other!

It is Christmas after all. . . 🙂