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Fourth Sunday in Advent
Scripture Reference:Â Matt. 1:18-25 and Isa. 9:6
From “Saving the Ants” 
When you were born, you were each given something that is very important to you. It is something that you use now; and you will use it the rest of your life. The thing that you were given at birth is something that you share with others. In fact, if you never share this gift with anyone, then it cannot be used. Can you guess what this gift is? (Let children discuss possible answers; you may guide them.) When you were born, each of you was given a name. Can you tell me what some of your names are? (Children may share their names.) Do any of you have other names, such as nicknames or middle names? (Discuss.)
Jesus was given his name before he was born. He was God’s son and many months before he was born, God told Joseph and Mary to name him “Jesus.” The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.” This name was important because Jesus was sent by God to save the world from sin. Do any of you know what your names mean? (Discuss with children; you may offer the meaning of your own name as well.)
Jesus had other names, too. He was also called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” Jesus was God’s son, but he was also God himself, appearing here on earth to be with the people of the world. Jesus is given many other names in the Bible, and all of them tell us something about who Jesus is and what he does for us.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, Jesus is called “Wonderful Counselor.” That would mean someone who was wise and could give good advice and comfort; someone who we can go to with all of our problems. He is also called “Mighty God.” That means that he is powerful and rules over everything. “Everlasting Father” is another name for Jesus. This shows us that the Father and the Son are one, and that Jesus is eternal; he will never die. Jesus is also called the “Prince of Peace,” meaning that he is the ruler, but he does not rule by force. Jesus does not bring wars or fighting; Jesus brings peace.
All of these names tell us about Jesus. But during Advent and Christmas, the name of Jesus that we think about the most is the name “Immanuel.” During Advent, we sing the hymn “Oh Come, Oh Come, Immanuel.” Jesus is God with us. The baby born at Christmas was God himself coming to live with us here on earth. “Immanuel” may sound like a strange name; it’s not a very common name, but it reminds us of something very important. When we invite Jesus in our hearts, God is right here with us.
Prayer: Â Our Lord Jesus, Immanuel, come and live in our hearts. Thank you for being with us and coming to our world at Christmas.
Third Sunday in Advent
Scripture Reference:Â Matthew 11:2-11
From “Saving the Ants” Â Â
 http://susanreep.com/blog/2009/08/09/ One more Sunday and Christmas will almost be here. Have you been keeping the path to your heart open for Jesus to come in? During this time of the year, when it seems like everyone is searching for just the right gifts for their family and friends, we need to remember to look for Jesus, the Savior, and make room in our hearts for him.
The Gospel lesson for today talks about the disciples of John the Baptist. They asked Jesus, “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for? Or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen; the blind see . . . the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor” (Matt. 11:3-5 NLT).
John and his disciples had been waiting and looking for the Messiah for so long, they wanted to be sure Jesus was the one. Jesus had to remind them of all the miracles and wonderful things that had been happening since he began preaching. So many things pointed to the truth that Jesus was the true Messiah. The Savior of the world was here.
This search for the Messiah is like waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. We know that Christmas is coming. The signs are everywhere. Lights glow on houses and stores, green trees are decorated with beautiful ornaments, presents are appearing under the trees, and packages arrive in the mail. Christmas is coming, but it seems like such a long time to wait until it’s finally here!
To the disciples, it seemed as if they had been waiting forever for God’s Promised One, the Messiah, to arrive. When Jesus finally came, did they need to keep looking? No. The Savior sent by God was finally with them. It would have been foolish to keep looking. When Christmas morning finally arrives, do we have to keep waiting and counting the days until it’s here? No. When Christmas comes, we can celebrate! We don’t have to keep waiting.
As we wait for Christmas to come, we know that we have found the one that the world has been waiting for. Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of our world. We don’t have to keep looking. We have found God’s son, Jesus. And that is why we celebrate Christmas.
Prayer: Â Father in heaven, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to the world. WeÃre glad that we donÃt have to keep looking and searching. We have found the Messiah.
Second Sunday in Advent
Scripture Reference:Â Matthew 3:1-12
From “Saving the Ants” Â 
Preparation: Bring several tools for clearing brush or raking that one might use for making a path through a patch of brambles. If tools aren’t available, you may use pictures to illustrate.
I want you to imagine that you live in a little cottage in the forest. You have lived there by yourself for quite a while and you haven’t had any visitors, so the pathway to the house has become overgrown with vines and brambles. One day, Jesus comes to visit, but he can’t reach your door. He stands at the edge of the thicket and calls to you, “Clear the pathway! I want to come to your house!”
What might you do to get the path cleared so that Jesus could reach your house? What tools could you use? (Discuss the possibilities with the children. Some examples follow.) You could use a branch cutter on the thick vines and brambles. A shovel would be useful for digging out roots or removing big rocks. You could rake the path clear of old leaves and sticks or use a broom to sweep away dirt and sand. (You may show some examples of tools to children or pass around some of the smaller, safer tools, such as a trowel or short broom and dustpan.)
Do you think it would be hard work clearing a path through a bunch of thorns and brambles? If the path were really overgrown it might take all day. But knowing that Jesus was waiting to visit us would help us work harder and get the job done so that his path was clear.
The Bible describes someone who made a path for Jesus. “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!'” (Matt. 3:3 NLT)
This was John the Baptist, getting the people ready to hear the message that Jesus was bringing. John didn’t use shovels or rakes to get the path ready for Jesus; he used his words.
The brambles and thorns that John wanted people to clear out of their lives were the bad habits and thoughts that kept people far away from God. John told people to repent, to stop doing the things that made God sad and to start living lives that made God happy. John told people to clear their hearts and minds so that they would be ready to welcome Jesus when he came.
This is the second week of Advent, and Christmas is coming closer. We need to remember to keep the path to our hearts clear so that Jesus can come to us this Christmas. We can keep the path clear by praying and reading the Bible and remembering that Christmas isn’t about getting things; it’s about Jesus being born.
Prayer: Â Forgive us, Lord, for letting the thorns and brambles grow in our lives. Clear a path to our hearts, Lord Jesus. We want you to come in.
Note: Â Feel free to write a comment or suggestion for Bible texts for future sermons. Do you have any questions about writing or delivering children’s sermons? I hope that these resources are a help to your ministry. Blessings in the new church year!
A new church year adventure begins as Advent advances upon us. Here is some advice to give you an advantage this Advent and on into the New Year. I avoid advertisements on this website, but I do want to advocate for frequent users of Kidsermons to advertently take my advisement and cast your eyes to the left of your screen.
Do you see that little picture of ants running across a red-checkered tablecloth? Click on the ants and then on the iTunes Bookstore link where you may acquire the entire year’s worth of children’s sermons for only… 99 cents? What? Why did I price it so low? Yikes. That seems a bit too cheap. Better change that soon. Of course, if you buy the 59 kidsermons based on Matthew for Year A of the RCL before I get around to raising the price, then that’s fine too.
Thank you for helping me continue to provide free children’s ministry resources to pastors and youth ministers all over the world!
 Santa Paws and Baabara Get Ready for Christmas
For the Sunday before or after Thanksgiving
From “Barefoot in the Snow” Â 
Scripture Reference: 1 Thess. 5:16-18  “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.â€Â
Preparation: Bring a calendar that clearly shows the month names and a fat, washable, red marker (in case a child misses the calendar page and marks clothing instead).
When is Thanksgiving? Can anybody tell me? (Let children respond.) Thanksgiving is (or was) this Thursday? Are you sure? I brought a calendar with me and I’ve circled a day that I think is a thanksgiving day. You tell me if you think I’ve got it right. (Open the calendar to a month, such as March, and show one date circled in red.) Is Thanksgiving in March? No? Well, maybe I got it wrong. I’ll show you another day that I think is a thanksgiving day. (Open the calendar to another month, like July, and show another date circled in red.) Is Thanksgiving in July? You don’t think so? I think it could be in July.
Okay then, during what month do you think Thanksgiving happens? (Children may answer.) November? Let’s turn to November and see what my calendar says. (Show the month of November with each date circled in red.) Well it looks like my calendar finally got it right. I have every single day in November circled! Even though we usually celebrate Thanksgiving on just one day a year—on the fourth Thursday of November—we really should have thanksgiving every day of the year, and I’ll tell you why.
The Bible says, “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you†(1 Thess. 5:16-18 rsv). The Bible also tells us to sing with thanksgiving, to pray with thanksgiving, and even when you are asking God for something, to make those requests with thanksgiving. We really should be celebrating Thanksgiving every day.
I don’t mean, of course, that we should have a turkey with stuffing and pies and all the relatives over every day. That might be a little difficult. But every day we have so many things to be thankful for! Even on bad days, when nothing seems to be going right, you can always find something to be thankful for.
So really, the only month in my calendar that has every thanksgiving day circled, is the month of November. I’d like for a few of you to help me circle more thanksgiving days on my calendar. Tell me something you’re thankful for and you can circle another date. (Let several children share thoughts and circle dates.) Thanks for helping me work on my thanksgiving calendar.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to make every day a thanksgiving day. We thank you for all your daily blessings.
Key Words: Gratitude, Thankful, Prayer
Advent Family Series
Cast: Mother, Father, Four Children
Advent Family Sunday 1 Â
Pastor: What is this Sunday? It’s the first Sunday in Advent. There are four Sundays in Advent and today is the first Sunday. What is Advent? It is a time of waiting. We’re getting ready for Christmas. It’s like a journey from here to Christmas.
There’s a family that needs some help getting ready for Christmas. We’re going to have to help this family get from where they are right now to where a star shines over a stable in Bethlehem. This family needs to get ready for Christmas, but do you know what? I don’t think that they even know that it’s time to begin!
The Bible readings this morning talked about being ready and waking up because Jesus is coming; but I have a feeling some people weren’t listening.
(Loud sound of snoring from the Advent Family.)
Do you hear something? Do you hear snoring? It looks like our Advent family is fast asleep. Can you help us wake them up? Everyone say at once, “Christmas is coming! It’s time to wake up!†(Kids join in and wake up the family. Repeat until the family wakes up.)
Continue reading Advent Skit Series
Pentecost Proper 29; Christ the King Sunday – 27th Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 23:42-43
From “Scolding the Snakes” Â Â 
Preparation: Bring a chair and an elegant cloth to drape over it for a throne. If you would like, practice singing (or plan for a musical accompaniment) for the optional song at the end of this sermon.
Today is special. It is the last Sunday in the church calendar. Next week is the first Sunday in Advent, and that begins a new year in the church. This Sunday is also called “Christ the King Sunday.â€
What does a king do, and what does a king look like? (Let children offer their responses.) Kings sometimes wear crowns and sit on thrones. They make rules and watch over countries. There are still a few kings and queens in the world—the Queen of England and the King of Norway, for example. Could I have a volunteer come up and sit on the throne? (Seat the volunteer on the “throne.â€) You can be our ruler for awhile. Does a king or queen reign forever? Not at all. (Replace ruler several times by letting other children take turns sitting on the “throne.â€) There have been many, many kings and queens on this earth, and none of them sit on their thrones for very long. (Remove last child from “throne.â€)
Can anyone think of a king who rules forever? (Let kids respond.) Christ the King rules forever, doesn’t he? His kingdom will have no end. Do you remember what Jesus was doing just a little while before he went back to his kingdom in heaven? He was doing something that we don’t usually think kings do. Jesus was dying on a cross to save us from our sins.
There was a man hanging on another cross next to Jesus, and that man really had done things that were wrong. He knew that he deserved punishment, but he also knew that Jesus had done nothing wrong. And somehow he knew that Jesus was a king. As they were both hanging there dying, that man looked at Jesus and said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.†And Jesus looked at the man and said, “I tell you the truth; today you will be with me in Paradise.†All of us are like that man hanging next to Jesus. We know that we’ve done many wrong things and deserve to be punished. But we also know that Jesus died in our place to save us. He is our King and Savior. And Jesus promises us, too, that we will always be with him in his kingdom.
(Optional) I have a simple song to teach you. It uses the words the man on the cross spoke to Jesus. Listen once and then sing along with me: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.†(Invite children and, if you like, the entire congregation to sing along for three or four rounds. Here is an example link to the simple Taize music if needed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tVReXsioM )
Prayer: Â Jesus, you are truly our King, and we thank you for giving us a kingdom that never ends.
Pentecost Proper 28; 26th Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 21:5-19
From “Scolding the Snakes” Â Â
Preparation: Bring a toy submarine and a toy boat to help illustrate the sermon.Â
The Gospel lesson for today from Luke, chapter 21, is a little bit scary. Jesus is speaking about the end of the world, and he talks about things that will happen when that time comes. Jesus said that there will be earthquakes and wars and sickness all around. But Jesus tells his disciples that they don’t need to be afraid: when the world comes to an end, the followers of God will be saved.
Reading these verses reminded me of a big storm. Imagine that you are on a boat way out in the ocean. (Pantomime riding big waves with your toy boat.) A mighty wind blows a huge storm in, and the winds start to tear at your sails and push your boat over. The waves get bigger and bigger until they tower like mountains all around you. The waves lift your boat up to the top of the wave, and then drop it down into the bottom. The skies light up with flashes of lightning, and thunder cracks right above your head. The rain is pouring down and blowing this way and that. It’s a terrible storm!
If you were caught out in a storm like this, where could you go to be safe? Where could you quickly go to get away from the storm? (Let children ponder the possibilities.) Well, if you were in a submarine, you could dive down deep into the ocean. (Demonstrate with the toy sub.) If you dive beneath the surface of the ocean—even if it’s only fifty feet or so below—the ocean is fairly calm and still. Even if a wild storm is raging on the surface, you can be calm and quiet below the surface.
All of us are going to have storms and rough waters. Life is not always easy. Sometimes bad things happen or we get hurt or we feel very, very sad. All of us have cried and been hurt before, and we will probably cry again. But our mighty God is like the deep part of the ocean. He is always right there beneath us and all around us. He is deep and calm and steady, and he doesn’t change. When we hit rough waters in our lives, we can dive down into God’s protection and comfort. We can pray and remember that God is holding us quietly and safely.
Prayer: Â Deep and mighty God, thank you for being the calm beneath our storms. Help us to remember to turn to you for help and comfort when life gets rough. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Pentecost Proper 27; 25th Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 20:27-38
From “Scolding the Snakes” Â Â
Preparation: Bring a growing plant to show and some seeds to pass out to the children.
The Gospel lesson for today talks about a group of people called Sadducees. Sadducees were Jews who believed that there was no life after death. Is that the same as what we believe? (Let children answer.) No. We know that God is preparing a place for us in heaven; and when we die, we go to be with Jesus.
It’s easy to remember the Sadducees and what they believe, because their name describes how they must feel. It would be very sad to think that there is no life after death. So the Sadducees are very sad, you see—Sadducee!
Jesus told the Sadducees that God’s children are raised up to new life when they die. When we reach the end of our life here on Earth, it may look like everything is over. But our life in heaven with Jesus is just beginning.
(Show plant and let children examine it as you describe it.) I brought a live plant with me this morning. It’s green; it has leaves and roots. It is plain to us that the plant is alive. I also brought some seeds with me. (Show seeds. Let children hold them.) These seeds are hard and gray. I don’t see any roots or leaves. These seeds look dead. What would happen if we had a funeral for them and buried them in the ground? (Let children answer.) They would start to grow, wouldn’t they? We would soon see life springing from what we thought was dead.
It’s the season of fall now. Plants are withering; leaves are falling. But even though the flowers and leaves are disappearing, we know what will happen come spring. The leaves will bud, and the flowers will return. In the same way, Christians know that death is not the end. We look forward to going to heaven to be with Jesus after we die. We aren’t “sad, you see.†We are happy because Jesus lives, and we look forward to living forever with Jesus.
Prayer: Â Jesus, thank you for being with us now, and thank you for letting us live with you forever.
Pentecost Proper 25; 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 18:9-14
From “Scolding the Snakes” Â Â
 Gustav Dore’s Pharisee and the Tax Collector Preparation: For visual aids, bring along two noninflated balloons. Use a marker to draw a face on each balloon: a proud face for the Pharisee in the story (maybe with a turned up nose and a scowling mouth), and a humble face for the tax collector (eyes closed, small smile). To make it easier for children to blow up the balloons, blow them up ahead of time and then deflate them before the sermon.
I brought a couple of balloons this morning to help illustrate a story Jesus told—“The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.†Jesus told this story to people who thought they were better than everyone else. These people belonged to a group of church leaders called Pharisees; these Pharisees looked down on anyone who was not just like them.
(Show balloons.) This balloon will play the part of the proud Pharisee, and this balloon will be the humble tax collector. I need two volunteers, one to hold each balloon. (Hand “Pharisee†balloon to a child old enough to blow it up.) Now as I read the story, whenever I look at the person holding the Pharisee balloon, I want you to blow some air into the balloon and then hold it shut. The person holding the tax collector balloon can just let it rest on your hand.
Jesus told this story: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. [Look at Pharisee several times during the following—and allow time for the balloon to get larger and larger.] One was a Pharisee, and the other was a dishonest tax collector. The proud Pharisee . . . prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector! For I never cheat; I don’t sin; I don’t [think dirty thoughts], . . . and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’†(Luke 18:10-13 NLT).
Our Pharisee looks much different from the tax collector now. (Let child hold up “Pharisee†balloon for all to see.) The Pharisee is all puffed up with pride, but the tax collector is just laying there not daring to even look up. Do you know what Jesus said next? Jesus said that God was pleased with this sinner (pick up limp balloon) and not with the proud Pharisee. For the proud will be humbled (pop or deflate “Pharisee†balloon), but the humble will be honored. (Inflate the other balloon, tie it off, and let child take balloon with him or her.) God raises up and honors those who admit they are sinners, but people who think they are better than others will be made humble.
Prayer: Â Lord, we are sinners, but we know that you love us and forgive us. Thank you.
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