Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.14UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.1UNLIKELY
Fear
0.17UNLIKELY
Joy
0.58LIKELY
Sadness
0.54LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.18UNLIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.58LIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.21UNLIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.07UNLIKELY
Extraversion
0.16UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.76LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.47UNLIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
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> .9
THE YOUNG man fidgeted in the pew and let out a very audible sigh.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw his mom look his way, which was just what he wanted.
If he had to be miserable tonight, he was going to make them miserable too.
I don’t want to be here, he thought.
We go to church every weekend.
Why tonight too?
He wondered how much longer the service would be as the choir stood up.
He looked at his watch, wondering if he’d be late.
But between glances at his watch, he found himself listening.
O Come All Ye Faithful
Okay, the choir is done!
He thought with relief.
One step closer to leaving.
Ten the young man slumped in the pew as children made their way to the front.
Come on!
The preaching guy hasn’t even gotten up yet!
This is going to take forever.
He glared at his parents.
Why do we have to be here tonight of all nights?
his thoughts raged.
I’m going to be late for Hayden’s party.
But his mom and dad had said earlier that night, “On Christmas Eve,
family comes first.”
He’d stomped to his room and gotten dressed, leaving his dress shirt untucked in a move of defiance.
He thought his mom would scold him, but she just thanked him for changing.
Now he angrily tugged at his tie which he was certain would choke him to death before the service ended.
Ten his sister and the other children began to perform.
The First Noel
He clapped with the rest of the congregation as the children returned to
their seats.
When is this going to end? he wondered, as Audrey bounced past him into the pew.
She beamed as their parents hugged and quietly congratulated her.
He watched his wide-eyed sister smiling and shook his head.
Christmas is just not like it used to be.
I’ve heard the story so many times.
Who knows if it’s even true?
I’ve been taught about God and Jesus since before I can even remember, but do I really believe all this?
As the pastor stood to begin his sermon, the young man turned around
to scan the crowd.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw Marissa and noticed she was looking at him, too.
She smiled and then looked at her shoes.
He felt his face turn hot as he, too, looked away.
When he glanced back again, he saw Marissa intently listening to the man standing at the pulpit.
Her gaze did not come back his way.
Sighing, he figured he had no better alternative and began to listen.
For the first time in several months, he actually heard the message.
Hark the Herald Angel Sing
In the mass of people fling out of the church, he wasn’t able to get close
enough to chat with Marissa.
He’d almost made it to her when an old man with strangely bright eyes blocked his path and started talking.
He tried to politely answer the man’s questions while slipping past.
But the old guy would not stop talking.
“You can call me Gabe.
Now what’s your name?”
The young man mumbled under his breath, hoping to end the interaction, but Gabe started going on and on about what Christmas was like years ago.
The young man finally gave up as he saw Marissa leave with her parents.
He could almost feel steam rolling off himself as he waited for his family
to stop visiting so they could leave.
Audrey practically bounced on the car ride home.
Why does she have to be so annoying?
he thought.
She’s so excited for Christmas.
Life was easier when I was her age; it was easy to believe back then.
Now, my friends don’t believe, and they tease me about going to church.
What are they going to say if I don’t show up for the party?
Argh.
Audrey won’t…stop… singing!
Away in a Manger
“Would you be quiet?!” he snapped at his sister.
When he saw the hurt look on her face he felt like he’d just kicked a puppy.
“That’s enough, young man,” his mother turned in her seat.
“You be nice
to your sister!
In fact, I’ve had enough of your attitude tonight.”
“I’ve had enough too,” he answered, and immediately knew it was a mistake.
His sister gasped.
His parents didn’t respond.
An uneasy silence fell
over the car.
As soon as they got home, he raced into his room to change his clothes.
Without a word he grabbed his coat to leave.
“Where are you going?” his father asked.
“To Hayden’s party.
I told you guys about it.”
“Yeah, about that.
Your mother and I talked this over and we think you need to stay home tonight.”
“What!?! Why?”
“Well, your grandparents are coming over, for one.
Secondly, you snapped at your sister and your mother, and lastly because it’s Christmas Eve.
This has always been family time.
This is time for us to reflect on God’s gift.”
He could not stop himself.
He was angry and talking without thinking.
“Tis is so unfair!” he shouted.
“I don’t know if I even believe that stuff anymore!
I want to go to the party!
I went to your church with you guys; why can’t I spend time with my friends?”
He threw his coat onto the floor and stomped back to his room.
His
mother’s voice followed him down the hall, “You can just stay there, young man, ‘til you cool off!”
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