I popped into the butcher’s yesterday to pick up some mince and, seeing how flustered he looked, asked in passing, “Sick of turkeys yet?” His reply caught me off guard.
It wasn’t an abundance of birds that had him frazzled—it was a shortage.
“A few years ago, we did 150 turkeys at Christmas. This year? Forty-two,” he said.
For a vicar, those little snippets of life are sermon gold.
They’re the sort of everyday, relatable stories you can use to open a message.
I paused, realizing I wouldn’t be preaching this year, having retired three years ago—but the thought lingered.
Vicars are always on the hunt for material that can connect with people, something that grounds lofty ideas in real life.
The Challenge of Christmas Preaching
Midnight Mass brings the same story every year—the angels, shepherds, and wise men.
After preaching it for decades, finding a fresh angle can be daunting.
Some clergy get overly creative, wandering into tangents about Santa or the logistics of reindeer.
But Christmas is when many people make their single yearly visit to church, and they come for comfort, not a lecture on improbable flight patterns.
Lessons from First Sermons
I recall my very first Christmas sermon as a pastoral assistant.
I wandered into theological territory about the Star of Bethlehem, suggesting it was more prophetic than astronomical.
As I stepped down from the pulpit, a formidable member of the congregation shouted, “Rubbish!” Yet other times, even excellent sermons are met with complaints about unrelated issues, like postage costs.
The lesson is clear: preach the gospel, don’t irritate, and don’t bore.
Keeping it Simple and Meaningful
Over the years, I’ve learned that a Christmas sermon should be short, to the point, and focused on the reason for the season.
People may not know the intricacies of the Bible or church tradition, but they come seeking hope, reflection, and community—much like shoppers looking for that elusive whole turkey at the butcher’s.
Tradition, Adaptation, and Food Choices
Even traditions evolve. My personal Christmas menu has shifted from turkey to rib of beef, goose, capon, or even venison.
And while I feel a twinge of guilt eating a creature tied to a beloved reindeer story, the essence of the season remains about connection, gratitude, and reflection.
When Sermons Write Themselves
Sometimes, the world provides the message for you.
On a recent cruise aboard the Queen Mary 2, I was asked to lead the Carol Service.
News broke of shootings at Bondi Beach as hundreds gathered around the grand Christmas tree.
There was little to say beyond the basics: peace, hope, and goodwill.
The season speaks for itself, reminding us of the small baby in a manger who brought light into a dark world.
Embracing Mystery and Faith
Christmas, with all its chaos, commercialization, and quirks—including the time someone replaced the baby Jesus with a plastic velociraptor—still draws us.
We come year after year, sometimes reluctantly, sometimes joyfully, to witness a story that transcends explanation.
A Message of Hope
Even for the Christmas-weary, the season offers a moment of grace, faith, and hope.
Whether it’s through a sermon, a nativity scene, or simply gathering with others, there’s a mystery at the heart of Christmas that compels us.
My hope, if you venture to church or gather with loved ones, is that you find it too.
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