Preaching Christmas Without Sentimentality
Letting the text, not the season, set the tone.
Christmas is one of the easiest seasons to preach—and one of the easiest to mishandle. Familiar texts, strong emotions, cultural expectations, and packed diaries all conspire to pull the preacher toward sentimentality. The challenge is not only to say something fresh, but to say what the text actually says, with the tone the text actually carries.
What We Mean by “Sentimentality”
Sentimentality is not simply emotion. Scripture is deeply emotional. Sentimentality is emotion unmoored from reality—warmth without weight, comfort without cost, joy without the jagged edges of truth.
At Christmas, sentimentality often looks like:
- Reducing the incarnation to vague “peace on earth” slogans.
- Softening sin into “brokenness” without guilt or repentance.
- Staying in the manger without ever reaching the cross and empty tomb.
- Using the season to reinforce nostalgia rather than proclaim news.
The result may be moving services and full buildings—but little lasting change. Our people leave warmed, not won; stirred, not transformed.
Letting the Text Set the Tone
One of the most practical safeguards against sentimentality is ruthlessly simple: let the passage itself set the emotional tone of the sermon.
Consider how different the Christmas texts are:
- Luke 1–2 carries quiet wonder, humble obedience, and breaking joy.
- Matthew 1–2 holds together royal fulfilment and real threat—Herod, exile, danger.
- John 1 is majestic, theological, awe-filled: the Word, light, glory, rejection, grace.
If every Christmas sermon sounds the same, we are likely smoothing over the edges of the text. Observing structure, repeated words, contrasts, and narrative tension will help us feel what the inspired author felt, and then preach with that same contour.
We avoid sentimentality not by suppressing emotion, but by letting Scripture teach us which emotions are fitting.
Holding Together Joy and Gravity
Christmas preaching that is truly evangelical will hold together both deep joy and genuine gravity.
- Joy, because the promised King has come, grace has appeared, and God has drawn near.
- Gravity, because this child was born to die, to bear wrath, to save sinners.
The birth narratives are already cross-shaped. Mary’s song rejoices in salvation and reversal. Simeon speaks of a sword that will pierce. Herod rages against the newborn King. The shadow of Good Friday falls across Bethlehem’s light.
Our task is not to drag in the cross from outside, nor to leave it outside the stable, but to show how the text itself leans forward to Calvary and beyond.
Four Practical Helps for Preaching Christmas Texts
1. Start with the Normal Exegetical Process
Resist the urge to “jump to the Christmas bit.” Observe, trace the argument or narrative flow, identify the main point, and let application grow from there. Treat the text as you would in any other month.
2. Use Fewer, Stronger Images
Illustrations at Christmas are easy to find—and easy to overuse. Choose one or two that arise naturally from the text and serve the main point. Avoid sentimental stories whose emotional tone clashes with the passage.
3. Name Sin Clearly, Offer Christ Freely
Do not let seasonal niceness blunt the gospel edge. The Saviour came because we are sinners, not merely because we are lonely or busy. Name the problem honestly; then proclaim Christ gladly.
4. Preach for Outsiders Without Neglecting the Flock
Christmas brings visitors. Speak clearly to those who are unfamiliar with Scripture, but remember that your sheep also need feeding. Let the same text both invite the outsider and strengthen the believer.
Preaching the Child Who Is Lord
Ultimately, avoiding sentimentality is about honouring who this child is. He is not a seasonal symbol of hope but the Lord of glory who humbled Himself to save His people. When we keep His person and work central—His deity, humanity, humility, obedience, death, and resurrection—our preaching gains both warmth and weight.
As you step into this Christmas season, you do not need to be clever. You need to be clear. Let the text lead. Let the gospel define the tone. And trust that the Spirit delights to use simple, honest proclamation of Christ to do what no amount of seasonal atmosphere can achieve.