John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
How is your Christmas preaching going? Are you excited about what you planned? Are you worried that it’s warmed up leftovers? Do you ever struggle with teaching the same passages to the same people at the same time of year each year?
It doesn’t take long for those who preach to struggle with Christmas preaching. In a world where our church families can find the best sermons from every other preacher we worry about boring them, especially if we have the privilege of staying in a church longer than 4 years.
There are many things that can drag us down this season. Don’t let your preaching be one of them.
I remember the excitement of preaching through Christmas in my first year as a pastor. I hit the ground running the first week of December with all the passion a rookie can muster. The second, and third Christmas seasons were equally exciting. Still, with each passing year a nagging fear grew about how to mix it up and keep it fresh after I ran out of “Christmas passages.” Thankfully the Lord worked my heart over.
If that is you this week, I want to encourage you that reteaching Biblical truths is not something to feel bad about. We preach old truth repeatedly over the years knowing it will be new to those hearing for the first time AND ALSO deepening for those who know the stories already.
Each time I reflect on how the Lord brought Julie & I together, it deepens my appreciation of His goodness and grace to us. How much more does repeated reflection on the multifaceted incarnation of Jesus deepen my relationship with Him.
Take two minutes to close your eyes and reflect on the word “Incarnation.” What came to mind for you? There are many significant and deep facets of Jesus’ birth that should never get old for genuine followers of Jesus.
I had to remember repetition is good when the message matters! Have you noticed how the larger themes of God’s Word are repeated frequently? If God is willing to repeat himself then I need not fear it, IF I am repeating His truth with His heart.
When we as pastors so love Jesus and others that we speak passionately and unapologetically of His coming to earth in flesh for us, something powerful happens in the hearts of those who are listening. Even if some of it is repeated!
Think for a moment about what can deepen with each repetition.
- My understanding of His truth, grace, character & purpose deepens.
- My wonder & worship deepen.
- My love and service deepen.
- My desire to abide and witness deepen!
- My commitment to trust & obey deepens!
So how can you shake your fear?
FIRST, sit and reflect on the truths of Jesus’ incarnation for your heart NOT just your sermon. Let them deepen IN You. Let God’s Word work! Your fresh wonder and transformation will make the message fresh even if you have preached the passage before. You won’t preach it the same if you have been deepening with Jesus!
THEN, prayerfully trust the Holy Spirit’s work in those who will hear. If they have heard you before, chances are they have changed since the previous time. They won’t hear it the same if they have been deepening. If they have gotten stuck, the repetition may be exactly what they need. Either way, the Holy Spirit is our ultimate interpreter! Trust that the freshness of this year’s messages are not in NEW truth but in deepening understanding, love and response to ancient truth!
You won’t preach it the same if you have been deepening with Jesus!
There are many things that can drag us down this season. Don’t let your preaching be one of them. God has called, gifted & placed you to share His message. Share it with faithfulness to the message and faith in His power & purpose. The message is ancient but still needs delivered to each person in each generation until Jesus returns. Count it a joy to repeat his message out of a deepening life of faith to those who need deepening faith in their lives as well.
The Pastor's Life 