Peter Chin

During the Christmas season, preachers get hammered with pressure: Keep it fresh, keep it real, make it new, reach lost people, build up believers, and keep it short and sweet. In this week's featured skills article—"The Parable Principle"—Peter Chin moves beyond pressure to practicalities. Peter offers us a simple, practical way to make those 2,000 year old Bible stories come alive for both the preacher and the listeners. He calls it "the parable principle" and I definitely think he's onto something helpful for preachers during this season. Check it out and try his simple approach.

Ryan Welsh

When did Christmas start? About 2,000 years ago? Actually, in this week's featured sermon, Ryan Welsh argues convincingly that Christmas really started in the garden—or maybe earlier. This is a great way to approach the big story of Christmas by pointing the fall and the promise in Genesis and then working forward to Mary, Jesus, and the Cross. As Ryan urges us, "This Christmas don't leave the baby in the manger." Instead, why not try telling your people the big story of Christmas?

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Mary and Joseph on the Holmes Rahe Stress Scale
• Featured Video: Christmas Comedy Pack: This comedy set focuses on the meaning of Christmas and how to light candles.
• Featured Sermon: "More Than a Baby" by Ryan Welsh
• Featured Skills Article: "The Parable Principle" by Peter Chin

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

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