MERRY CHRISTMAS

As I reflect on the gifts from God this year, one was a new home community. We are Christians from different traditions, different churches, who long for a like-minded community.

The leadership rotates to create and lead a spiritual practice. After a brief teaching, we separate  throughout the house and outside, to spend 20 minutes alone with God, reflecting, journaling, and praying. Then we come back together and share whatever is comfortable, from what came up during our time alone.

After the de-brief, we have a time of prayer.  Then we share a meal together. 

This fills my soul.

I want to share with you the practice we did for Christmas.  May you find the strength and joy to say “Yes” to God.

YES to God

I like to reflect on the characters in the Christmas story. We can gleam insights from each of them.

Mary

Luke 1:26-38

In a time when premarital sex was highly taboo, Mary could have been ostracized by her village.

At first, she was afraid. Then her fear turned into courage.

She let go of what other people thought and said “Yes” to God. 

• Is there something new birthing inside of you?
  

• How can you let go of your fear, take courage, and say YES to God?

Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was a man of integrity. He was going to dismiss Mary and their engagement privately, not humiliate and condemn her in public. Until God told him in a dream that this was a miracle and to marry her. He said YES to God.

• What does being a person of integrity look like to you?
  

• Is there something God is asking of you that feels uncomfortable but the right thing to do?

Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-45

Elizabeth was barren for a long time. Then suddenly, she became pregnant with John. What a joyful, yet hard to believe, surprise.

I admire how she embraced Mary. She did not compare or show envy that she was not chosen to be the mother of Jesus. She celebrated Mary and was grateful for her gift from God.

• What was a joyful surprise to you this year?
  

• Perhaps you may be feeling empty?   Or waiting a long time for a prayer to be answered? 

Talk to God about it.

Zechariah

Luke 1:57-80

Zechariah was a faithful priest for years and yet he doubted God’s surprise blessing. Who would blame him…having a baby at an old age?   There was a consequence of his doubt: he was unable to speak for a while.  I wonder if this was humbling since it was tradition to name the son after one in the family, and the name, John, was not.  Zechariah might have resisted that. Typical of our God…outside the box.

• What do you doubt?   

• How can you trust God with what he is inviting you into?  And trust yourself?

Anna

Luke 2:36-38.

I like Anna because she bears my name and was content with what she was given.  She prayed diligently for years in the temple for the Messiah to come.

I admire how faithful and happy she was with what would be considered a “small” task by our culture.

No numbers, money, large followings…just quiet prayer in silence and solitude.  She said YES to God and was content with what she was called to do.

Someday, when I can no longer offer direction, write, run groups, play, walk…I can still pray.

And I can receive the joy of Christ’s presence. He is with us always.

• How does Anna’s contentment with a simple task speak to you?

Jesus

• What gift(s) would you like from Jesus?
  

• What gift(s) can you offer him this season?