Week: The Advent Voices - Heaven
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Lord Jesus, we are excited to be celebrating Your birth this Christmas. Amongst all the busyness of this season – all the planning and the preparations – please help us to pause and be still. We open our ears to hear You now, and we prepare our hearts to receive You once again.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Vera Lynn
Luke 2:10
The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.’
Luke 2:10 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we are REFLECTING on the journey Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which would have taken about four days.
Read by Vera Lynn
Luke 2:1-3,5
At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register. This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was now pregnant.
Luke 2:1-3,5 (NCV)
This Christmas, some of us will probably travel to visit family or friends. And most of us will celebrate by exchanging gifts and having a special dinner together.
Mary and Joseph travelled at Christmas too, but not for the same reasons as us. They had to travel to Bethlehem, the town where they were from, because the government wanted everyone to be registered. It was a difficult journey for Mary and Joseph, but when they got there, they received the greatest gift of all!
Whether we get to spend Christmas with family and friends or not, whether we receive the gifts we hope for or not, one thing is guaranteed – we all get to receive Jesus into our lives once again, and He is the greatest gift of all.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we could travel anywhere in the world, and we could take anyone with us, where would we like to spend Christmas?
Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to register their family name. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he says that when we become Christians, it’s like Jesus gives us a new family name. Let’s use Paul’s words as we pray together.
Lord Jesus, every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from You. We ASK that You come and live in our hearts. Fill us with Your love and help us to build our lives on Your love. (adapted from Ephesians 3:15,17 NCV)
Let’s pause for a moment and think of those who may not get to spend Christmas with family or friends, for whatever reason.
Lord Jesus, we pray for those who will be alone, and those who feel lonely, this Christmas. We ASK You to give them the gift of Your presence. Comfort them and be close to them. And we ASK You to send people to them – may they know that they matter, and that they are loved.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Luke 2:1-3,5
At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register. This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was now pregnant.
Luke 2:1-3,5 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say YES – You are the greatest gift of all, and we receive You once again into our lives. Fill us with Your love and kindness, so that they spill out from our lives into other people’s.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Luke 2:10
The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.’
Luke 2:10 (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Vera Lynn is 10 years old and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her parents, sister, and dog Max. Her favourite hobbies include reading, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She is very creative. Her favourite book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis.
