Welcome to Lectio for Families. It’s the Advent season, the time when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. As we approach Christmas, we’re listening to the voices of Advent in the Bible, and this week we’ve been listening to the voices of two very important women, Elizabeth and Mary.

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.

Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

Lord Jesus, we’re looking forward to celebrating Your birth this Christmas. Help us to be still amongst all the planning and the preparations, to rest in Your presence and remember what and who we are celebrating.

Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.

Reflect

Bible Reading

Today, we’re REFLECTING on what happened when Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.

Read by Selah
Luke 1:41-42
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
Luke 1:41-42 (NCV)

Let’s imagine this moment. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary calling to her, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and shouted with joy. But not only that – the baby in her womb jumped for joy as well! How crazy is that!

Sometimes, when we get filled with the Holy Spirit, we get filled with joy too. It’s like a deep happiness that fills us completely.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When was the last time we felt joy – like we were deeply and overwhelmingly happy?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

Let’s close our eyes and be quiet for a moment, holding our hands open in front of us as if we are about to receive a gift.

Holy Spirit, we need You. Fill us up with joy. We let go of the things that we’ve been struggling with recently, and we ASK You to fill those places in our lives with joy instead.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

And now, let’s think of the families that we know…

Father God, we pray for those who are pregnant, and for those who have recently had a baby. We ASK You to give them strength and wisdom as they care for their child. Holy Spirit, fill them, just like You filled Elizabeth.

And Father God, we do also pray for those who may be finding it difficult to get pregnant, and especially for those who have experienced loss. Holy Spirit, we pray that You would give them the peace and comfort that they need right now.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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 1:41-42
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
Luke 1:41-42 (NCV)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Lord Jesus, we say a big YES to welcoming Your Holy Spirit into every part of our lives. Help us to receive Your joy, and to carry Your joy everywhere we go. 

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.