Underwood Unplugged

For the next four weeks, we'll be focusing on Christmas. If you haven't bought gifts for anyone yet, your clock is now ticking. If you haven't made your Christmas wish list yet, people are buying you things you might not want. Every year, we celebrate and enjoy Christmas for so many good reasons. We might even entertain discussion or prayer about the "true meaning of Christmas."

Several months ago, I got excited about the idea of doing a Christmas sermon series that connected with some of the most memorable and loved Christmas movies. I am committed to preaching straight from Scripture, and use culture as a way to connect. We're going to focus on the gospel accounts of Christ's prophecy, birth, and reception. We'll probe the Bible's account of "Christmas" and examine the most important virtues of the season. Here's a schedule of four powerful virtues of Christmas, as found in the Gospels:

Sunday, December 4 - "Believe" - Matthew 1 and the calling of Joseph
Sunday, December 11 - "Love" - John 3 and 1 John 4
Sunday, December 18 - "Give" - Luke 1 and 2
Sunday, December 25 - "Receive" - John 1

Since this is called "Reel Christmas" and we want to connect faith with life and culture... I will be looking for Christmas movies and clips that inspire us to "Believe," "Love," "Give," and "Receive" in the God-given meaning of Christmas.

Some movies that are being considered...
- The Polar Express
- It's a Wonderful Life
- Elf
- The Christmas Carol
- Christmas Vacation
- The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
- Home Alone
- Miracle on 34th Street

Can you think of others?

Can you think of a scene from any of these movies that would inspire people (you included) to greater levels of BELIEVING, LOVING, GIVING, or RECEIVING?

Just curious....