an advent retreat a Holy Invitation

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an advent retreat a Holy Invitation A small collection of meditations on Advent and the Christmas Story. This is the beginning of the New Testament; the beginning of the GOOD NEWS.

1 an advent retreat a Holy Invitation A small collection of meditations on Advent and the Christmas Story. This is the beginning of the New Testament; the beginning of the GOOD NEWS. It all begins with the Christmas story. Ask God to open your heart and hear these words today with new ears. Advent is typically the start of a very busy season for Americans. Decorations are in the stores before the middle of October, schedules start to fill calendars, shopping lists begin to overwhelm budgets. Perhaps there is another way Please use this booklet as an opportunity to step into this season with a new heart for God. Ask him to help you evaluate and perhaps re-prioritize your schedule and your budget, your family and your friends, the celebrations and the chores. So, you are invited to make a nice hot cup of your favorite holiday treat, light a candle, put on some quiet holiday music, and enter this sacred and holy season. May the Lord bless you in this Holy season of anticipation and joy.

2 joseph. Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph receives a dream in which an angel tells him his betrothed Mary is pregnant. The angel advises him Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. Joseph incredibly says YES to God and to this woman who was already pregnant. He said YES to the incomprehensible. He could have humiliated her; he himself could be humiliated. Yet Joseph makes room for them in his life and home. He protects Mary and waits faithfully with her for the child. He chooses to love and raise this child as his own. God also says to us, do not be afraid. And so, today, be encouraged for the Lord is good and the Lord keeps his promises. Do not be afraid to listen to a still, small voice, the yearning in your heart for something more. Are you willing to make room in your life for the Holy One? How will you make space in your life and your day for your Lord? What are you willing to give up for this to happen?

3 mary. Luke 1:26-56 The angel Gabriel also says to Mary, Do not be afraid. Mary chooses to trust the Lord and step out into unknown and dangerous waters as a young, unmarried and pregnant girl. Mary says YES to all of this she accepts this incomprehensible invitation from the Lord to be the mother of the Christ child. Mary says YES to the impossible. She has no idea how any of this would turn out. She trusted when she was staring into the abyss of an entirely new path. Where is God asking you to trust him in your life today? What is God inviting you to this season? What can you do to increase your confidence in the Holy One, to be encouraged as you this step? mary s song. Spend some meditative time with Luke 1: Read the text a few times and then close your eyes. Try to imagine your heart, mirroring the love and trust and glory she proclaims in this song. Ask God to grace you with whatever you need in this moment. Write your prayer here on this page.

4 bethlehem. Luke 2:1-7 The time is near, along with all of the anxiety and promise and unknown. All of the unanswered questions and stepping forward in faith and trust, the time has come to embark upon another journey for which they did not know the destination. All Joseph & Mary know is that God has invited them and they said YES. Joseph is required to undertake this journey to Bethlehem at a very inopportune time, with a very pregnant wife. They arrive in the noisy, smelly and crowded city and now the child is ready to come and there is no place to stay. They have no reservations, no welcome committee; there is no room for them. All the doors they knocked on and all the people who said NO. When God invites you deeper, will you be able to trust and accept that invitation? When Jesus knocks on the door to your heart, will you open it? Is there a place in your life where you long to say YES? What would it take for you to change your answer from no or maybe or later to YES?How will you know it is the Holy One?

5 the shepherds. Luke 2:8-20 In the middle of the night, an unexpected light appears. The shepherds hear the wonderful news from an angel and they are also encouraged do not be afraid. These simple shepherds are so amazed they decide they must go see for themselves. They say YES to the Lord and kept their eyes on a star. They don t worry about their worthiness or object to the length of the journey. We don t know what obstacles they may have encountered on their way. But we know they heard the Holy Invitation and accepted it. They undertook a long journey with patience and persistence and they were rewarded. There are many roads that require patience and persistence. When we are on a journey with God, we very often do not know where we are going. God asks us to trust Him with the map and to just keep walking. The Holy One is asking you to take each step together, trusting in the journey and the promise that was growing in their hearts. Is there a new path that God is inviting you to? What does it look like when you trust the Lord? Are there other people involved in your journey? What are the signs and clues to indicate you are on the right road?

6 the magi. Matthew 2:1-12 A life-long study and learning and watching would have brought them finally to this moment. These men may have known this story since they were boys. Generations would have known the sign to watch for watching and waiting and hoping. They watched and understood the message in the stars. Their discernment led to them to undertake a long-awaited journey. They said YES. The magi brought their most precious gifts to the newborn king Jesus. They offered to the Lord the best of what they had. They also listened to the dream God gave them and did not return to Herod. What is the promise you are waiting for? Is there a prayer you have offered to God day after day, week after week, year after year? What is your most cherished and precious gift? What are you willing to offer of yourself for the Kingdom?

7 simeon and anna. Luke 2: Another YES! The devout Simeon and the prophet Anna. When Mary and Joseph find them in the temple, they are both quite old and have been waiting for a long time. They are rewarded for their patience and their trust. Did they know it was the Christ child they were waiting for? They had each long listened to and for the voice of the Lord, and to discern that this, indeed, was the Christ child. This is what they had been so long waiting for. GOD says YES! What are you waiting for? What is your greatest hope, your deepest hearts desire? Faithfully bring these to your Lord in prayer, knowing that God desires to give you what your heart desires. Use this page to write your prayer.

8 Coloring pages. Use these pages as a creative meditation on the story of Christmas. Ask God to show you something new this year. Be encouraged, knowing God is faithful and keeps his promises.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30AM/10:30AM WEDNESDAYS STARTING JANUARY 6: WEDNESDAYS from FEBRUARY 10-MARCH 16:

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30AM/10:30AM January 3: Rev. Dan Flynn of Living Word Lutheran returns as our guest pastor. January 10-31: Join us for a great Sermon Series. Watch for details. WEDNESDAYS STARTING