Preparing for Christmas (Page 2)

Take a look at this picture and reflect on the following:  The Annunciation was painted by the Italian Renaissance painter Fra Filippo Lippi in the mid-fifteenth century. It pictures two kneeling figures opposite one another. Mary, on the right, is holding a book, symbolizing the Word of God becoming flesh. Gabriel is holding a lily symbolizing purity. Take in the painting. Notice the structure, placement of people and objects, the use of light and shadow.  What catches your attention? What thoughts…

“The incarnation means that for whatever reason God chose to let us fall . . . to suffer, to be subject to sorrows and death—he has nonetheless had the honesty and the courage to take his own medicine. . . . He can exact nothing from man that he has not exacted from himself. He himself has gone through the whole of human experience—from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of…

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.2 See, darkness covers the earth    and thick darkness is over the peoples,but the Lord rises upon you    and his glory appears over you.3 Nations will come to your light,    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Isaiah 60:1-3 Pray for those who will come to see the lights at Celebration of Lights Sunday evening at 5 PM that they will encounter the Light of the World. 

How’s your soul this week? Do you feel a bit frantic? Hurried? Many things in our lives, like technology, entertainment, or activities can be great tools to be used and enjoyed. But they can quickly become tyrannical masters of our lives if we aren’t careful. What is exerting control over your life right now creating anxiety or hurriedness? If possible, find 5 minutes today to sit in silence, reflect on the birth of Christ, and BREATHE. As you sit in…

Listen to the song “Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle. Reflect on the lyrics especially the name Emmanuel which means God with Us. 

Take a look at this picture and reflect on the following: The Nativity was painted by the seventeenth-century French painter Georges de La Tour. It pictures the Christ child, Mary and Mary’s mother. Take in the painting. Notice the structure, placement of people and objects, the use of light and shadow. What catches your attention? What thoughts and emotions does this image invoke within you? How does this image relate to the passage we read yesterday in Isaiah 9:2? Copied…

Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. It is from the Latin word “coming.” The season of waiting gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Christ. Today, read Isaiah 9:2. How has the light of Jesus impacted your life personally and your circle of influence? What areas of your life do you need the light to shine in now? Isaiah 9:2       2 The people walking in darkness          have seen a great…