Growing In Faith Together
December 20, 2015
Today’s Texts:
Micah 5:2-5a
Luke 1:46b-55
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45
Gathered by Grace
Christmas draws near.
We glimpse the meaning of His Coming.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* How close do you come to “leaping for joy” when you recognize God’s presence in your life?
* Does your soul also magnify the Lord? How so?
* In what ways do you share a place among the lowly? Because of this, what message does the Gospel hold for you?
* In what ways do you share a place among the rich and the powerful? Because of this, what message does the Gospel hold for you?
Daily Bible Readings
These readings are related to the Sunday readings. M-W reflect upon the past Sunday’s readings and Th-Sa prepare for the next Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 3:1-39-45 Thursday Luke 2:1-20
Monday Colossians 1:15-20 Friday John 1:1-14
Tuesday Ephesians 2:13-22 Saturday Acts 6:8-15;7:51-60
Wednesday Psalm 113 Sunday Luke 2:41-55
NEXT SUNDAY: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-55
Memory verse: The Mighty One has done
great things for me
and holy is his name.
Luke 1:49
Prayers for this Week
For the Week: Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.
Throughout the Day: I offer this day all that I am and all that I will be.
A Blessing to Share: Rejoice, God’s love is revealed.
For mealtime say responsively: Our hearts are full of hope: The Christ Child is coming.
Advent Mealtime Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest,
And let thy gifts to us be blessed.
Blest be God, who is our Bread.
May all the world be clothed and fed.
For further reflection
Devotional Practice:
My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you. You have looked with love on your servant here and blessed me all my life through. (Holden Evening Prayer)
Advent Ritual:
Each morning read 1st Thessalonians 3:12: May the Lord make you abound in love for one another and for all. Then at some point it your day, abound in love! Here are some ideas:
December 20: Help someone do a chore or other job.
December 21: Donate a pair of new pajamas to DVIP.
December 22: If you are in a long line, invite the person
behind you to go first.
December 23: Put money in a Salvation Army bucket.
December 24: Feed the birds.
December 25: Give a smile to all you meet. Jesus is born!
Scattered to serve
What will you do this season that you may not ordinarily do that is in the spirit of filling “the hungry with good things”?
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org