Advent Devotional Ideas

Here is another idea for Advent readings. This contains delightful excerpts from many of his letters and writings. It is a daily devotional reading that averages about three minutes per day and goes from the first Sunda in Advent to Epiphany on January 6th.

Here is my review of the book.

This is a newer devotional book that I loved. The illustrations are beautiful. 

Here is my review of the book. 

Advent Week 4 & Christmas

FOURTH SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

The Wise Men Candle

(These are in reverse order. Scroll down to go to the beginning readings.) 

On this Sunday before Christmas, add the light of the purple Wise Men Candle to that of the other three candles. The readings focus on the wise men, wisdom, and the One who is all-wise.

Sunday

Matthew 2:1-12

Monday

James 1:5; 3:13-18

Tuesday

1 Corinthians 1:17-30

Wednesday

Daniel 2:20-30

Thursday

1 Corinthians 3:11-23

Friday

Job 28:12-28; Psalm 111:10

Saturday

Proverbs 1:1-10; Psalm 90:12

CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS DAY

The Christ Candle 

On Christmas Eve (or Christmas morning), light the larger red Christ Candle in the center of the wreath, if you have one, along with the other four. Through the weeks, the light of your wreath has grown brighter, and with the celebration of Christ's birth, the message becomes clearer that the Light of the World has overcome the darkness. With your family and friends, read John 8:12, 9:4-5; Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; and 1 John 1:6-7. Sing your favorite carols in celebration because in Isaiah's words, "The people that have walked in the darkness have seen a great light." 

On Christmas day, relight all the candles and read together the familiar story of Christ's birth in Luke 2:1-20. 

(Our family does not light the Christ Candle until Christmas morning.) 

Advent Week 3

THIRD SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

The Shepherds Candle

The shepherds' response to the angelic message was to "make known abroad" what they had seen and heard (Luke 2:17). On this third Sunday in Advent, add the light of the green Shepherds Candle to that of the other two while you read the following passages:

Sunday

Luke 2:8-20

Monday

Psalm 23; 79:13; 96:7; 100:3

Tuesday

Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 18:11-14; 1 Peter 2:25

Wednesday

Isaiah 40:1-11; Hebrew 13:20-21

Thursday

John 10:1-18, 27-29

Friday

Matthew 9:35-38; John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:2-4

Saturday

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23-31

CAROLS:

While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks

The First Noel 

Advent Week 2

SECOND SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

The Angels Candle

Last week's readings focused on God's words through the prophets that foretold the circumstances surrounding the birth, life, and death of His Son, Jesus. Angelic pronouncements added to the light given by the prophets. On the second Sunday of Advent, ask the youngest child to relight the gold Prophets Candle. Have the oldest child light the white Angels Candle. By the light of these two candles read the selected Scriptures, sing and pray together each day.

Sunday

Luke 1:5-25

Monday

Luke 1:26-38; Psalm 34:7

Tuesday

Matthew 1:18-25

Wednesday

Luke 2:8-14

Thursday

Matthew 2:13-21; Psalm 91:11-12

Friday

Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43; Matthew 28:2-4;

Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Saturday

Daniel 7:9-10; Revelation 5:11-12;

II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Matthew 24:31

CAROLS: 

The First Noel

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

Angels from the Realms of Glory

Angels We Have Heard on High

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 

Advent Week 1

I have been using an Advent Wreath since the 1980s when my church had an insert in the bulletin for this great practice. That was back when no people from my denomination would even think about celebrating Advent. Now, it is all the rage!

Below is from that original insert, and I do not know who the author is. It is a non-traditional approach to Advent in that the candles are multiple colors and not the traditional three purple, one pink, and one white in the middle. For the traditional approach, I heartily suggest Celebrating the Christian Year by Martha Zimmerman. There is an Advent Service in that book that we do every Sunday of Advent.

PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR CHRISTMAS

Over the years Christians have felt the need to prepare themselves for Christmas. This was never more true than today when the secular influence and interpretation of Christmas all but bury the truth.

The beautiful custom of Advent has helped many to keep their focus on Christ. The word "Advent" means "coming" and refers to the coming of Jesus. The season of Advent is a four-week preparation period for Christmas. 

(Carol's Note: Make sure you start four Sundays before Christmas. It is a different date every year.)

Advent also traditionally includes an Advent wreath with four candles around it. The progressive lighting of the candles represents the dispelling of darkness by the coming of our Lord. This week you might prepare a simple wreath of evergreens and place around it four candles as follows: gold symbolizing prophets, white for angels, green for shepherds, and purple for wisemen. Place a larger red candle in the center of the wreath to represent Christ.

Choose a place to have your Advent worship service and put the wreath there in preparation. This provides a place for your family to come together each day to read the Scriptures and pray. You might discuss beforehand what time of the day would be best. Many families find that the time right after dinner is the most workable. 

"Now while the people were in a state of expectation . . . " Luke 3:15

The Prophets Candle

FIRST SUNDAY ADVENT READINGS

Gather the family together around the Advent wreath with candles and ask the youngest child to light the gold Prophets Candle. Read the Scripture passage for the day, sing carols, and give thanks to God.

This short service is repeated each evening during the week by the light of only one candle.

Sunday

2 Peter 1:19-21; Isaiah 7:13-14; Matthew 1:18-23

Monday

Hebrews 1:1-3; Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 4:13-16

Tuesday

Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-11; Acts 26:22-29

Wednesday

Isaiah 53; Matthew 27:12-14; 27:38; 27:57-60

Thursday

Zechariah 9:9; 11:12-13; 12:10; 

Matthew 21:1-11; 26:15; 27:3-10; John 19:37

Friday

Isaiah 42:1-7; Matthew 12:17-21; Luke 2:32

Saturday

Psalm 22:1-18; Matthew 27:35-46

CAROLS: 

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Preparing for Advent

Advent Wreath Glow
Photo by Carol Weaver.
Please ask permission before copying

Advent candles are often on sale over the Thanksgiving holiday. So now is the time to go and get your candles for your wreath!

We have done this celebration since the first year of our marriage. It is our favorite family time over the holidays. My kids still love to do it, and they are both adults.

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, which means "arrival" or "coming") is the first season of the liturgical year. It begins four Sundays before Christmas, the Sunday falling on or nearest to 30 November, and ends on Christmas Eve. Traditionally observed as a "fast", it focuses on preparation for the coming of Christ, not only the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas, but also, in the first weeks, on the eschatological final coming of Christ, making Advent "a period for devout and joyful expectation".^[8] This season is often marked by the Advent Wreath, a garland of evergreens with four candles. Although the main symbolism of the advent wreath is simply marking the progression of time, many churches attach themes to each candle, most often 'hope', 'faith', 'joy', and 'love.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent)

On Sunday evenings, we gather around our Advent Wreath and sing "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" and do the Advent Ceremony in Martha Zimmerman's excellent book, Celebrating the Christian Year. We do different colors of candles than the ones Martha suggests. Do what you feel comfortable with!

This book is a goldmine with background, history, Scriptures, equipment necessary, and recipes for not only Advent but for celebrations all year long! 

For younger kids, the Advent Reading books by Arnold Ytreeide were a big hit with our kids. There is a cliffhanger every night!

(They were so hard to find back when my kids were little that I sent the next in the series that we were not using to my girlfriend in Colorado because they were selling for over $100, and her kids were wanting the next installment! There are now many copies.)

I guarantee your family will be on the edge of their seat every night begging for more!

Here is the order of the Advent series:

Jesse Tree December Devotional

I know it is not December yet, but if you choose to do the Jesse Tree. This is the December Schedule! You can download the children's portion document to have with your tree:

Jesse Tree Children's Document 

Introduction to the Jesse Tree

1.      CREATION: Genesis 1 & 2
2.      THE FALL: Genesis 3
3.      NOAH AND THE ARK: Genesis 6:5-8:22
4.      THE CALL OF ABRAHAM: Genesis 12:1-9, 15:1-6
5.      SACRIFICE OF ISAAC: Genesis 22:1-19
6.      JACOB'S LADDER: Genesis 28:10-17
7.      JOSEPH'S COAT: Genesis 37:1-28; 50:15-21
8.      MOSES AND THE 10 COMMANDMENTS: Exodus 20:1-17
9.      CONQUEST OF CANAAN: Numbers 13 & 14:6-9
10. .    RUTH AND BOAZ: Ruth 1-4
11.      KING DAVID: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
12. .    JOSIAH FINDS THE LAW: 2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3
13.      THE SHOOT FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE: Isaiah 11:1-5
14.      THE LION AND THE LAMB: Isaiah 11:6-9
15.      THE PRINCE OF PEACE: Isaiah 9:2-7
16.      FEEDS LIKE A SHEPHERD: Isaiah 40:9-11
17.      THE SUFFERING SERVANT: Isaiah 53
18.      THE NEW COVENANT: Jeremiah 31:31-34
19.      BETHLEHEM: Micah 5:2-4
20.      THE EXILE: Daniel 3
21.      RETURN TO THE LAND: Ezra 1:1-8
22.      JOHN THE BAPTIST: Matthew 3:1-12
23.      ANNA AND SIMEON: Luke 2:25-38
24.      MARY: Luke 1:26-56
25.      THE BIRTH OF CHRIST: Luke 2:1-20

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST: Luke 2:1-20

DAY 25: THE BIRTH OF CHRIST    

LINK: Luke 2:1-20   

Here is my audio of this story: JESUS IS BORN! 

Symbol: Jesus

JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME!! 

Our Jesse Tree culminates in the birth of Jesus Christ. The world has waited and now received a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) . . . a Savior, Redeemer, Brother, and Friend all wrapped up in a baby boy.

WELCOME JESUS, King of the universe and King of our hearts! Overwhelm us with Your coming and Your presence, so that we may never be the same!

PRAISE THE LORD!                   

Songs: "Away in a Manger" & "What Child is This?"

Put the Circle with the Cross symbol on the top and enjoy Jesus! 

Make a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

BBC BACKGROUND from Luke 2

Jesus is born in Bethlehem (2:1-7)

Caesar Augustus was the ruler of the Roman Empire between 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. God used a secular ruler to fulfill the prophecy of Micah 5:2. In the Roman Empire the census was taken every fourteen years for military and tax purposes. Joseph's ancestral home was Bethlehem. Joseph was a descendant of David (1:27) who was born in Bethlehem. So they needed to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem (which means "house of bread").  Usually, it was just the Jewish male, but he traveled with Mary because she was so near to delivering her baby. Tradition tells us that Jesus was born in a cave near the inn. He was wrapped in strips of cloth which was a practice at that time for keeping limbs straight and protected. 

Shepherds visit Jesus (2:8-20)

How wonderful that angels would appear to poor, outcast shepherds.  Their work made them ceremonially unclean.  God calls the poor and lowly to Himself (Luke 1:51-53; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29). This baby was also the Good Shepherd (John 10) and Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). 

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Matthias Stom (fl. 1615–1649) 

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The shepherds were to "fear not" (Where have you heard that before over the last few days? Luke 1:13, 30, 74; Matthew 1:20). The angel pronounced GOOD NEWS of a great JOY (remember the theme of joy in Luke?) of a Savior who is Christ the Lord! 

Then a multitude of angels came praising God and announcing PEACE. Even though the Roman Peace ("Pax Romana") had been in effect since 27 B.C., there was really no peace. The Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, (A.D. 55 - A.D. 135) once said:

While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief, and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which man yearns more than even for outward peace.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 1, p. 176) 

The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, which is translated as eirḗnē in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament), "has to denote, not merely rest, but a state of well-being or wholeness [emphasis mine], so that one can even be said to die in peace (as distinct from suffering violence). Nor is this well-being restricted to material welfare" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 208). 

Let this all wash over you and soak in deeply. It is so easy to just gloss over this because you hear this so many times during Christmas. Jesus is our Peace! It is amazing!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION/PRAYER

You probably know by now that I am a "Messiah nerd." I cannot get enough of this masterpiece, and I sing it almost daily. It is ALL Scripture!  So, here is the part of the oratorio that covers the verses we just read: 

Recitative (Soprano)

There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. (Luke 2:8)

(The music sounds like angels populating the sky!)

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. (Luke 2:9)

Recitative (Soprano)

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11)

(More sparkling in the sky with the music!)

Recitative (Soprano)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (Luke 2:13)

Chorus

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)

(All the angels singing, and now I am crying. Such a Messiah nerd!)

MARY: Luke 1:26-56

DAY 24: MARY

                         
LINK: Luke 1:26-56                     

Here is an audio version of me telling the story: ANGELS VISIT MARY AND JOSEPH 

                

Symbol: Mary

Mary describes herself as a “bondslave of the Lord” (Luke 1:38). She is honored to do His will. Mary is a good example of a humble heart that God can work through. In her song of praise to God (Luke 1:46-55), Mary quotes 15 Old Testament Scriptures, showing how familiar she was with those Scriptures. Jesus was to be reared in a home where humble parents ought to follow God’s word. Can we give our children the same privilege? 

Song: "Silent Night"

BBC BACKGROUND from Luke 1

"The Annunciation" By Paolo de Matteis (Saint Louis Art Museum official site) 

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

An angel promises the birth of Jesus to Mary: Luke 1:26-38

Mary was a poor, young girl (some commentators think as young as 12 or 13) from Nazareth, and God chose her to be the mother of the Messiah. WOW! The Greek word for "highly favored" comes from the root word charis, "grace." Mary was a recipient of God's special grace.

Note that Gabriel said, "Do not be afraid" to both Zechariah and Mary. He also told her of her Son's special characteristics, as he did to Zechariah. He was to be the "Son of the Most High":

The Septuagint often used the term “Most High” (hypsistou) to translate the Hebrew ‘elyôn (cf. v. 76). Mary could not have missed the significance of that terminology. The fact that her Baby was to be called the “Son of the Most High” pointed to His equality with Yahweh. In Semitic thought a son was a “carbon copy” of his father, and the phrase “son of” was often used to refer to one who possessed his “father’s” qualities (e.g., the Heb. trans. “son of wickedness” in Ps. 89:22 [kjv] means a wicked person).  (The Bible knowledge commentary: Volume 2 p. 205)

God promised David that his kingdom would last forever (2 Samuel 7:16). Jesus fulfilled this promise.  
The name Jesus is also very significant. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Joshua, which means "the Lord saves." Joshua led the people into the promised land (Joshua 1:1, 2), and Jesus would lead His people to salvation.

Unlike Zechariah, Mary was not punished for her questioning.  She asked how Jesus would be born to her if she was a virgin, Gabriel must have known the heart behind her question.

Mary's response is so beautiful: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).  I wish we could all have that response to God's will! 

Some commentators believe that Luke must have interviewed Mary personally because this account is so personal, reflecting her deep inward feelings. 

The Birth of John the Baptist by Jacopo Pontormo
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Mary visits Elizabeth: Luke 1:39-56

Shortly after Gabriel visited Mary, she went to spend three months with her pregnant relative Elizabeth.  What joy and female bonding!

Luke frequently used the word "joy" in the two books he wrote (Luke and Acts). He often links this word with salvation. We have seen him use it in describing John the Baptist (1:14), and it is in full view in this section! John leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary came carrying Jesus. Elizabeth responded in joy when she said that Mary was carrying the mother of her Lord. The term "Lord" (kyrios) was often used to describe Jesus in the book of Luke because "Christ" ("Messiah") would have not meant as much to his target audience, the Greeks, because they did not know all the prophecy leading up to His coming. 

Lastly, Mary responded in joy at carrying Jesus by singing a hymn of praise and quoting many Old Testament Scriptures (Psalms and Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10).  This song is often called "The Magnificat" because the opening words, "My soul doth magnify the Lord," is Magnificat anima mea Dominum in Latin. Many beautiful pieces of music have been written to this music by composers like Vivaldi and Bach (I think I sang the Vivaldi version my freshman year in college). 

REFLECTION

I've never had an angel visit me, but this story brings back fond memories of a day during the Christmas season of 1991 when God told me that the baby due in January would be a boy.  Later that day, while driving to a performance of The Nutcracker, I told George about what God told me, and to my surprise, he said, "Carol, God told me the same thing this morning!" It was fun to tell our son that story on the way to see The Nutcracker again twenty years later! 

I think that this is confirmation that God does speak to us today, and we don't have to wait four hundred years for God to break through the silence.

APPLICATION

Here are some possible suggestions for application:

• Spend some time listening to God. That means shutting out the busyness of your life to really find some solitude and silence.
• Worshiping God as You pray through Mary's Magnificat!
• Meditate on Jesus being redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and light for you.
• Try this  Lectio Divina of Mary visiting Elizabeth or the Angel Visiting Mary.

PRAYER

Let John Rutter's rendition of the Magnificat lead you into worship and prayer:

Lord, I cannot study this and not believe that You are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD who came into my dark life.  Everything fits together so perfectly. Thank You for Your Word that shows us all of this. Amen. 

ANNA AND SIMEON: Luke 2:25-38

DAY 23: ANNA AND SIMEON                   

LINK: Luke 2:25-38                     

Symbol: Man & Woman

Anna and Simeon were looking for the Christ with great expectation! 

What does Simeon tell us about Jesus’ mission on earth? 

Does the coming of Christ, both the first time and for the second time in the future, fill us with joy like it did Simeon? 

Simeon and Anna thanked God for the Christ child (Luke 2:38). May we also be filled with joy and thanksgiving for the Christ child.

Song: "Joy to the World"

BBC BACKGROUND from Luke 2

Hans Holbein the Elder [Public domain],
 via Wikimedia Commons

Mary and Joseph Bring Jesus to the Temple: Luke 2:21-40

Did you notice that the word "law" is mentioned five times in this section? Jesus did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18). Mary and Joseph followed the Law through the following ceremonies:

1) Circumcision and naming on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3, see the Genesis 17 post to learn more about circumcision).

2) Redemption of the firstborn - 33 days after circumcision, they were to present their firstborn male to God (Exodus 13:2,11-16; Numbers 18:15,16). The ceremony included buying back or "redeeming" from God through an offering. 

2) Purification of mother - When the baby was 40 days old (80 for daughters), Mary was to make a burnt and sin offering to the priest of the temple since birth caused a woman to be ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 12). After sacrifice, the priest would declare her clean. Joseph and Mary's offering of a dove instead of a lamb for the sin offering indicates that they were poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). 

Simeon anticipated the "consolation of Israel" which means the Messiah, who would bring consolation (comfort) to God's people. Most of what he said is straightforward. The child was to be light and glory, but what does "cause the falling and rising of many in Israel" mean? The ones who followed Him would rise, but the ones who did not follow Him would fall. 

Anna, the godly, fasting, and praying prophetess continued where Simeon left off praising God and telling all who were looking for redemption that the Messiah had come to redeem them! 

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN/OVER THE HILLS AND EVERYWHERE/GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN/THAT JESUS CHRIST IS BORN! (Sorry, I digress!)

This section ends with Jesus going back to Nazareth (65 miles north of Jerusalem) to grow up becoming strong and increasing in wisdom with God's grace upon Him!

APPLICATION

Worship! Joy to the World!

PRAYER

Lord, make us anticipators and look to You coming again! Amen.

JOHN THE BAPTIST: Matthew 3:1-12

DAY 22: JOHN THE BAPTIST

LINK: Matthew 3:1-12

Symbol: John the Baptist

John the Baptist was similar to us as we celebrate the advent of Christ's birth. John was preparing the way for Christ's ministry by telling the people to repent. 

Do we need to prepare our hearts by repenting of some sin or wrongful attitude? Advent is the perfect time to rededicate our lives to the furthering of God's kingdom. Only then can we "make ready the way of the Lord." 

BBC Background from Matthew 3

John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus (Parallel accounts: Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-18)

Specific to the Matthew account: Matthew tells the story of the Messiah-King. So, he skips from Jesus' infancy to the introduction of Jesus by John the Baptist who was Jesus' relative. 

The rest of this background will include information from all three parallel accounts.

It is the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar, A.D. 29. Tiberius ruled over the Roman Empire from A.D. 14 to A.D. 37 and Pilate was the governor of Judea from A.D. 26 to A.D. 36. The reigning Jew over Galilee and Tiberius is Herod Antipas who we have already mentioned in a previous post. His brother, Philip, ruled east of the Jordan from 4 BC to A.D. 34. Annas was the high priest from A.D. 6 to A.D. 15. Caiaphas was his son-in-law and the Romans would replace him as high priest from A.D. 18 to A.D. 36 even though the Jews continued to recognize Annas.

John has been growing, becoming strong in spirit, and living in the desert until his public appearance in Israel (Luke 1:80). This is that public appearance. As a descendant from the priestly line of Aaron, John could have been a priest, but God had for him to be His messenger (Malachi 3:1) preaching a very special message in the Judean desert and the country around the Jordan River. His message was direct and to the point:

"Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

We know from our reading of the Old Testament that the concept of a coming kingdom with a reigning king is huge. The idea of repentance before entrance into that kingdom was a new concept for the Jews. They thought that entrance was automatic for them. John said that they needed to "repent." This Greek word metanoéō comes from the base word noéō which means to "perceive, think, know." Repent means to change your opinion, feelings, or purpose from what you thought you always knew! If what you thought you always knew was wrong the word takes on the sense "to regret" (The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament p. 636). They thought they knew the way into heaven, but John had come to tell them about the real way, and it came via a man who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John the Baptist exhorts his audience to bear fruit in keeping with righteousness. Just being baptized and Abraham's descendants would not give them an "in" with God!  The Luke account goes into more detail about what would give evidence of genuine repentance: generosity, honesty, and contentment. All three are tied to money and material possessions.  It is interesting to note that the Luke account is the only one that proclaims that "all mankind" (not just the Jews) will see God's salvation (Luke 3:6). This is probably because Luke's audience was non-Jewish. 

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Try the Loyola Method (Imaginative Contemplation) as you imagine John the Baptist in the wilderness.

There is also an entire handout on many methods of meditation for download HERE.

Get Totally Involved -The Loyola Method

(Note: Here’s an approach to meditation adapted from the “Spiritual Exercises” of Ignatius Loyola. He was a spiritual director in the 16^th century. The Loyola Method works better when you have a passage that involves a narrative story.)

PART ONE (Preparation)

a. In prayer, ask God for grace to direct your thoughts, words, and actions to service and praise of his Divine Majesty.

b. Read the passage upon which you intend to meditate. Read unhurriedly, but without attempting yet to meditate on the passage. Your goal now is simply to familiarize yourself with the passage.

c. Determine an objective for your meditation time and ask God to help you accomplish it. If the passage you choose, for example, is the account of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1–7, your objective may be a sense of awe and humility as you contemplate the mystery of your Savior’s entry into the world.

Usually this preliminary request is formulated in terms of some emotion you wish God to give you as a result of your meditation. Ignatius Loyola believed that the ultimate purpose of meditation is application (that is, an act of the will), and that the will is motivated primarily by emotion rather than reason.

PART TWO (Meditation)

a. Visualize the scene. In the case of Luke 2:1–7, see in your mind the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Is it level, or does it wind through valleys and around hillsides? See Mary, in her ninth month of pregnancy, riding on a donkey, accompanied by Joseph who is perhaps leading an ox. They are going to Bethlehem to pay a tax. What kind of people are they passing on the way? Soldiers? Peasants? Merchants? Other families?

Study in your imagination the place of the Nativity. Is it spacious or cramped? Clean or dirty? Warm or cold? How is it furnished?

b. Assume the role of one of the characters in the passage, or of someone else who might be present. In Luke 2, for example, you could be the hotel’s servant or maid.

c. Now apply your five senses to the scene. Look carefully, watching all the action. Use your ears as you listen in on conversations. Apply your senses of smell and touch. What odors are present? What quality of garments are being worn? Feel the woodwork of the manger. Smell and feel the straw. Apply your sense of taste—is there anything there to eat?

d. Analyze your own feelings as a member of the scene. How do you feel about what is happening? How do you feel about the persons involved? How do you feel about yourself?

PART THREE (Conversation)

Talk to Joseph, or Mary, or someone else in the scene. Talk to them about the thoughts that have come to your mind as you have meditated on this passage. Talk to God or to the Lord Jesus.

    

          This conversation should in most cases lead to some form of action or personal application.  

(Adapted From Discipleship Journal, Issue 6 (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, used by permission.)

PRAYER

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming to fulfill all righteousness and being righteousness on my behalf. We desire to do Your will, God. Amen.