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Dec 23, 2018

 

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God.

Bible verse for meditation:

KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


What does this scripture mean to you?
Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?
How does this scripture make you feel?

Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.

Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:

When I worked in the hospital, one of the areas I was assigned was in the labor and delivery floor. I was there to pray with new mothers and comfort families when things didn’t go well. It still causes me to pause and reflect that average people today have such high tech support when the Savior of the world, the very Son of God, was born in so humble circumstances. It is hard for me to imagine these shepherds coming to this common place. Not a hospital but a place where livestock lived. Jesus was not born in a sterile room. Despite the humble circumstances of his birth, angels declared to the shepherds of his saving role. I can only imagine these shepherds seeing a whole sky full of angels singing praises to Jesus.

That the angels appeared to shepherds was interesting. Shepherds are a constant metaphor in scripture. Jesus himself said that he is the good shepherd. He said that his sheep hear his voice and follow and obey him. Those of us who have heard the word of Jesus become shepherds and stewards of that word. The Magi or wise men also were shown the way to God but it doesn't say anything about angels guiding them. They read of prophecies and the new star. God can and does use our own strengths and weaknesses in guiding us along the path He has in mind for us.

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.
Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:
I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation:

Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:

Details:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Final Question: What will you do on Christmas day to hark to the message of these angels and honor the birth of Jesus?

Final Thought:

God can guide each of us in the way that we need. The common factor is a willingness to be guided by God. Each of us may receive his guidance differently. It may be through study, meditation, prayer, bearing witness and testimony of what we know. Most likely it will be many of these things. One thing is certain though, it will come as a result of faith. May this Christmas be full of faith and God’s spirit of peace and love. May whatever unpleasant or dark memories of this season be replaced with the true joy of His birth. May our reflections on the whole nativity scene remind us that God can guide any humble heart to Him if we have faith and trust in Him.

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