“Mary in Her Waiting”
Pause and Reflect
Take a few minutes to pause. Take a deep breath. Inhale and exhale slowly. Inviting God’s presence into your time. He is with you. Name the emotions you are bringing to Him. Allow Him to meet you right where you are.
Pray and Listen
Lord, I long to hear your voice. I come away from the busyness of the season to sit at your feet and listen. What might you want to say to me? I invite you to meet me right where I am. I thank you for this time to be with you. Teach me more about you in my waiting and your heart towards me. Your intentions are always good. I enter the waiting with open hands to receive more of you. (Take a minute to open your hands.) Your presence is PEACE in all circumstances. Thank you for coming to be with us in the flesh, a baby boy. I love you, Jesus.
Read Luke 1:35 MSG. Step into the story. Grab your journal. Imagine what it would have been like to be there.
Luke 1:35 MSG
35 The angel answered,
The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
the power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
will be called Holy, Son of God.
Is there a word or phrase that sticks out to you? Underline, Highlight and offer it to God in prayer and listen. Sit with this word or phrase. Open to the Holy Spirit speaking and inviting.
Follow His Invitation
The Examen is a transformational spiritual practice. I use this practice on a regular basis to help me become more aware of God's presence and the work of the spirit in me and around me. The more we become aware of our inner world, the more we can open ourselves to God for healing and wholeness. Transformation is the goal, to love God and love others as ourselves more and more every day. We look to Jesus, the Word, as our teacher. This is a great discernment practice.
For the next two weeks, keep an examen journal. This is a Holy Pause in your day! Reflect at the end of the day.
1. What gifts did God give me today?
2. Where did I sense God's presence today?
3. Where might I have missed God's presence or action or felt resistance?
4. Where is He inviting me to respond to His invitations?
Family Advent Devotional
Make a simple advent wreath. Materials needed are a wreath, 3 purple candles, 1 pink or red and 1 white candle. Light the 1st purple candle together. This is the HOPE candle. Light the second candle together. This is the PEACE candle.
Pause and Reflect
Ask each person how they are coming to Advent time? (This might take a few times of practicing if this is new.)
Pray and Listen
Lord, thank you for sending your son to earth to be WITH us. Help me remember everyday that you are WITH me. Your presence is PEACE. I want to know more about your peace today. I love you, Jesus.
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16 together.
What word or phrase stands out to you?
Follow His Invitation
Let each person share what they notice in these verses? What word or phrase stands out to them?
What is PEACE? What does it mean to have PEACE in all circumstances?
What are His invitations today?
Recipe Favorite
Super easy to make dessert! This is a must have at the holidays! It is full of surprises and yumminess! It will be gone in a matter of minutes. Great dessert for the kids to help make. We take this to every gathering over the holiday season.
Truffle Family Favorite
1 box of brownie mix
1 package of chocolate pudding
1 bag of toffee bits (you can substitute with oreos if any nut allergies)
1 large container of cool whip
Make brownies according to package directions. Let them cool and crumble. Set aside a few brownies for the topping. Mix pudding according to package directions. You will have four ingredients to layer~brownies, pudding, toffee bits or oreos, and cool whip. Begin to layer brownies in a truffle dish or bowl. Next add the pudding, toffee bits or oreos and cool whip. Repeat until the last layer is cool whip and sprinkle with brownies. It is full of surprises in a single bite!
I invite you to subscribe to our email list for all updates and offerings in 2024! I will be sharing more in the next few weeks. To learn more about spiritual direction, reach out at tracietack@gmail.com. Merry Christmas!
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