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’re 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

Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, was very old when something surprising happened to her – after a long time of waiting, she had a baby. Today, we’re REFLECTING on how Elizabeth responded to this incredible surprise.

Read by Selah
Luke 1:24-25
Later, Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and did not go out of her house for five months. Elizabeth said, ‘Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.’
Luke 1:24-25 (NCV)

Elizabeth believed she was too old to have children and others around her probably agreed. She also lived at a time when people would’ve thought less of her because she didn’t have children. Maybe she thought less of herself?

But God didn’t think less of Elizabeth – He loved her. Sometimes we are a bit like Elizabeth – we put ourselves down, we think less of ourselves, and sometimes we even feel ashamed. But God loves us. Let’s think about that for a moment… God really loves us.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Who is the oldest person we know? How old do we think they are?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

Sometimes when we don’t feel good about ourselves we find it hard to believe just how much God loves us.

Let’s pause for a moment and say the following simple prayer together;
Father God, I receive your love for me today.
Let’s say it one more time;
Father God, I receive your love for me today.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

At the end of today’s passage Elizabeth said, ‘the Lord has taken away that shame.’

Lord God, we pray for those who feel ashamed, for whatever reason. We ASK You to take that shame away and replace it with Your love.

• 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 1:24-25
Later, Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and did not go out of her house for five months. Elizabeth said, ‘Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.’
Luke 1:24-25 (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.

Father God, your Word reminds us that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from your love for us (Romans 8:39). We say YES to receiving your incredible love for us today. 

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.