Present

Ah, Christmas time! What an amazing season of glorious good news (from God) and high expectations (from your people). How do you keep your own life balanced through the season? And how do you preach the same incredible story in a way that's fresh, Christ-centered, deeply biblical, and that connects with believers and seekers alike? I love what Lee Eclov says in this week's interview: "Preaching during this season isn't just telling the Christmas story. It is moving God's people toward faith and righteousness through the proclamation of Scripture."

Matthew D. Kim

This week we also start rolling out a new selection of Advent/Christmas sermons, beginning with Matthew D. Kim's sermon on living in a material world. Dr. Kim explores the real reason behind God's material blessings. Over the next week's we'll also feature sermons from Bryan Wilkerson, Steve Fuller, John and Nancy Ortberg, and Juan Sanchez. And don't forget to check out our Advent, Christmas, and New Year's Day holiday pages.

This week to help you in your preaching efforts we offer the following:

• Featured Sermon: Following Christ in a Material World By Matthew D. Kim
• Featured Illustration: A Son's Ugly Gift Reveals His Father's Grace
• Video: True and Better

In Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.