Spiritual Practices - Love
Week of December 22nd, 2019
The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Christ child on Christmas and the coming again of Jesus to reign. However, Advent as a time of spiritual preparation is right in the middle of everything that is taking place in our communities, schools, and homes to prepare for Christmas as well. As a result, there may not seem like there is as much time to prepare our hearts for Christ.
During this season we are going to prepare a different type of devotional - one that invites us into the theme of the week through concrete spiritual practices you are invited to try, either by yourself, with a friend, or as a family.
Scripture for the week: Matthew 1: 18-21, 24-25
Reflect on these scriptures. Imagine that you are Joseph. How would you feel when you hear the news that Mary is pregnant? How would you go about making the decision about what to do next? How would you react to the word of the Lord coming to you in a dream?
Spiritual Practice: Sharing Love
Patience is not something that we always have this time of the year. Sometimes we stand in long lines, and we see that people get short with holiday workers (and maybe we even get short with them ourselves). What is one thing you can do this week to share the love of Jesus with a cashier?
Spiritual Practice: Grateful Heart
There is a connection between love and gratitude. When we are filled with gratitude it spills over in ways that bless others. What would it look like for you to take time this week to have a grateful day - one day where you focused both on being thankful to God and sharing this with other people?
Spiritual Practice: Deep Yearning
What I appreciate most about this season of Advent is that it gives us space to intentionally check in on the health of our spirits. It gives space for self-examination and asking God to reveal new insights to us about ancient stories. Pray this week for God to reveal to you the deep yearnings of your soul, especially during this time of the year. What could God be leading you to do through this desire?
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