Advent sermon ideas
Advent is the season of the church year that marks the time leading up to Christmas. Comprised of four Sundays, Advent helps us prepare for the celebrations of Christmas.
What is Advent?
Advent is not itself a biblical word, but it means "a coming." Advent is both a preparatory season for remembering the coming of Christ in Bethlehem and the anticipation of the coming of Christ at the last day. Advent is one of two penitential seasons in the liturgical calendar. For four weeks prior to Christmas, Advent sermons and worship prepare us for the great event of the incarnation and call us to meditate on the three "comings" of Christ:
- Christ's birth at Bethlehem
- Christ's coming into our lives today
- Christ's second and final coming at the end of time
Advent also counteracts the hype of the commercial Christmas culture by inviting us into a deeper and more fruitful spiritual renewal in postures of hope and waiting for the Savior.
While the rest of the world is busy hanging Christmas greenery, we "deck the halls" with purple and blue. The church has the opportunity to beout of step, as usual, unable or perhaps unwilling to catch the spirit of the holidays. The world wants brightly colored lights and jingling bells; the church gets out the dark blue and sings about how lost we are.
Far from what the world expects, Advent begins not on a note of joy, but with a searching inventory of our deep uneasiness and aching need. We dare not rush to Bethlehem and kneel at the manger until we spend some time here, in a purple-hung church, admitting that we do, in fact, need redemption.
How do I plan Advent sermons and worship?
When planning the sermons and worship for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, consider uniting them around a theme, symbol, and/or color.
When is Advent?
The four Sundays leading up to Christmas
What colors can be used for Advent?
Purple, violet, or blue (royal blue, deep blue, or just blue).
What objects or symbols can be used for Advent?
What themes can be used for Advent?
- Hope, love, peace, and joy
- Waiting (See Old Testament prophecy)
- Christ's first and second coming (See Second Advent)
- Examining the Christmas story (See Gospel lessons on Christ: The Savior has come)
- Prophecy of Christ's coming (See Old Testament prophecy)
- The genealogy in Matthew 1, with a focus on the four women figures around the birth of Christ, such as Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Joseph, the shepherds, Herod, the Magi (See Gospel Lessons on Christ: The Savior Has Come)
Sermon series ideas for Advent
- Topical Advent series ideas from Ministry Matters ("Follow the Star") and Groundwork ("Advent Waiting")
- Lectionary-based worship plans (year B) from Discipleship Ministries and Together in Worship
- Art for Advent video meditation series by James Romaine on ArtWay
- Advent candle series about faith stories (from Robert J and Laura Keeley on Reformed Worship) and peace (by Katherine Hawker on re:Worship)
Find more Advent series ideas on Zeteosearch.org
Prayer ideas for Advent
- "In this time of great meaning, in the stillness of Advent, birth new patience, give us grace for the days before us." Dan White Jr. from Global Worship
- "Speak tenderly to the world, O God our God; come quickly to tell her that her pain has gone on long enough. Prepare the way of the LORD; make way for the peace of God!" Rachel G. Hackenberg
- "When we reduce our preparation for your coming to reckless expense and trivialities: In your mercy, Lord, forgive us and heal us." Nathan Nettleton from re:Worship
Find more Advent prayer ideas on Zeteosearch.org
Bible passage ideas for Advent sermons
Many passages throughout the entirety of the Bible point to the coming of Christ and are appropriate to use during Advent.
Old Testament prophecy
Throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the prophets, there are numerous passages pointing to Christ's coming and the theme of waiting.
Advent provides an opportunity to engage with these prophecies in both their original settings and in how they point to Christ's coming. Some of these passages point to the need for Christ; some point to Christ's sacrifice; some point to the Messiah coming in the lineage of David; and still others foretell the Messiah's coming and his saving work. A broad selection of these passages could be used, or a particular book, such as Isaiah, could be the foundation for an Advent sermon series.
- Genesis 3:8–15, the fall
- Genesis 22:1–8, Abraham tested
- Numbers 24:17, a star will come out of Jacob
- 2 Samuel 7, God's promise to David
- Isaiah 2:1–5, The mountain of the Lord
- Isaiah 7:10–16, a virgin will give birth to a son who will be called Immanuel
- Isaiah 11:1–10, the branch from Jesse
- Isaiah 12:2–6, God is my salvation
- Isaiah 35, joy of the redeemed
- Isaiah 40:1–11, comfort for God's people
- Isaiah 61:1–4, 8-11, the year of the Lord's favor
- Isaiah 64:1–9, howcan we be saved?
- Jeremiah 23:5–6, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety
- Jeremiah 33:14–16, the Lord will fulfill the good promise
- Micah 5:2–5, out of Bethlehem will come a ruler
- Zephaniah 3:14–20, the Mighty Warrior will save
Advent in the Psalms
The psalms reflect themes of forgiveness, of trusting God, of love of God, of King David and his lineage, and the salvation of God. While many of these are less obviously linked to Christ than some of the Old Testament passages listed above, they still point to Christ. These psalms could serve as calls to worship, prayers of confession, or other pieces of the liturgy, including the sermon text.
- Psalm 25, In you, Lord my God, I put my trust
- Psalm 40, I waited patiently for the Lord
- Psalm 42, As the deer pants for streams of water
- Psalm 72, Endow the king with your justice, O God
- Psalm 80, Hear us, Shepherd of Israel
- Psalm 85, You, Lord, showed favor to your land
- Psalm 89, I will sing of the Lord's great love forever
- Psalm 126, When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion
- Psalm 146, Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul
Gospel lessons on Christ
These passages are from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and from John's gospel and provide narratives of Christ's birth.
- Matthew 1:18–25, Joseph accepts Jesus as his son
- Matthew 3:1–12, John the Baptist prepares the way
- Matthew 11:2–11, John hears about Jesus' deeds
- Mark 1:1–8, John the Baptist prepares the way
- Luke 2:1-21, the birth of Jesus
- Luke 3:1–6, John the Baptist prepares the way
- Luke 3:7–18, John baptizes with water
- John 1:6–8, 19–28, John as a witness to the light
Second coming
The season of Advent is a season of waiting. The epistles connect to Advent in part because of their call for God's people to live in eager expectation of the second coming of Christ. The passages also examine what Christ did when he came the first time and they look ahead with longing at everything that will be accomplished by Christ's second coming. In advent, we hear hear these prophesies and know that we are a people who still wait for Christ's second coming. It is in advent that we listen again to the old testement promises of when the wolf will lie down with the lamb and when all the tears will be wiped away. Advent highlights for the believer the larger story of God's redemptive plan and reignites in us a longing for the day of Christ's return.
- Matthew 24:36–44, the day and hour unknown
- Mark 13:24–37, the day and hour unknown
- Luke 21:25–36, there will be signs
- Romans 13:11–14, day is near
- Romans 15:4–13, God gives endurance and encouragement
- Romans 16:25–27, come to obedience that comes from faith
- 1 Corinthians 1:3–9,thanksgiving
- Philippians 1:3–11, thanksgiving and prayer
- Philippians 4:4–7, rejoice in the Lord always
- 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13, may the Lord strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24, rejoice always, pray continually
- Hebrews 10:5–10,we have been made holy
- James 5:7–10,patience in suffering
- 2 Peter 3:8–15,a day is like a thousand years
Scripture songs of Advent
While the Magnificat is the most striking song in the Advent season, songs from both the Old and New Testament that speak of God's liberation of Israel, God opening the womb of the barren, and others are also appropriate for this time and can be used to praise God not only as a sermon text but sung in services throughout Advent
- Exodus 15:1–19, Song of Moses and Miriam
- 1 Samuel 2:1–10, Song of Hannah
- Luke 1:46–55, Song of Mary
- Luke 1:67–79, Song of Zechariah
- Luke 2:13–15, Song of the Angels
- Luke 2:28–32, Song of Simeon
Light of Christ
In John 3, we read about how the "light has come into the world" and as readers of the Bible, we know that the image of light coming into the dark is not new in John. In fact, light and dark are themes throughout all of scripture, starting with creation. And so, in Christ, we have the fulfillment: we have the light breaking into the dark world. In Advent, we wait in darkness again for the light.
- Genesis 1:14–19, God created light
- Exodus 13:21, God leads the Israelites to freedom from Egypt
- Psalm 27, The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
- Psalm 36:9, For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light
- Psalm 43, Vindicate me, my God
- Psalm 56:13, For you have delivered me from death
- Psalm 112:4, Even in darkness light dawns for the upright
- Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path
- Psalm 139:11–12, Even the darkness will not be dark to you
- Isaiah 2:5, walk in the light of the Lord
- Isaiah 9:2, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light
- Isaiah 42:6, the Lord will make you a light
- Isaiah 51:4, God's justice will become a light
- Isaiah 53:11, satisfied by the light of life
- Isaiah 59:9, we look for light
- Isaiah 60, the glory of Zion
- Matthew 4:16, people living in the darkness have seen a great light
- Matthew 5:13–16, salt and light
- Luke 2:29–32, song of Simeon
- Luke 8:16–18, a lamp on a stand
- Luke 11:33–36, the lamp of the body
- John 1:1–18, the word became flesh
- John 3:16–21, light has come into the world
- John 8:12, dispute over Jesus' testimony
- John 12:35–46, walk while you have the light before darkness overtakes you
- Ephesians 5:6–14, live as children of the light
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5, you are all children of the light
- 1 John 1:7, if we walk in the light
Call to repentance
In advent, we are called to "prepare the way of the Lord" through confessing our sins and preparing to celebrate the Savior who came into the world as a baby with the mission to save us from our sins. Only Christ can save us. Advent is a time to remind ourselves of this. Purple, the color of penitence, can be used as a way to remind us to humble ourselves before the baby who is coming because the baby has the power to save.
- 2 Kings 1:8, Elijah the Tishbite
- Psalm 126, When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion
- Isaiah 40, comfort, comfort my people
- Isaiah 59, sin, confession, and redemption
- Isaiah 60:1–3, the glory of Zion
- Jeremiah 33:14–16, the days are coming
- Zechariah 13:1-6, cleansing from sin
- Malachi 3:1–4, refiner's fire
- Matthew 3:1–12, John the Baptist prepares the way
- Matthew 4:17, the kingdom of heaven is near
- Matthew 10:7, the kingdom of heaven has come near
- Matthew 11:1-19, Jesus and John the Baptist
- Matthew 17:11–13, they did not recognize him