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Christmas Reflection Day 7- Mary's Yes

12/7/2017

Day 7 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: Mary's Yes.

Scripture:

"Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her" (Luke 1:38).

Reflection:

Mary said Yes. The woman who disobeyed God in the garden of Eden, Eve, is now overshadowed by The Woman who will be obedient this time, Mary. God gives us the gift of free will. As we see in the Bible, God really does give us the choice to accept Him, or reject Him ... to say yes, or no. He doesn't force us to choose Him. We are His children, made in His image and likeness. We are made free. We are made for Love. What makes love real is the choice to love, or not. Mary chose Love. She chose God. She said yes. And because she did, everything changed. We are called to answer yes to God's plan for our lives too.

Questions:

What is God asking of me at this time in my life? Do I feel resistance to it? Is my answer to God based on obedience? Do I think I know better than God does?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, the word "obedience" isn't used much today. It's not very popular to be obedient to something or someone, but you are God. You are worthy of all obedience. We should obey you because you are our Maker. You created us, and you love us, and we should obey you because you know what is best for us. Please train my heart to understand what you are asking of me. Please grant me the grace to stop fighting your Will for my life and to surrender to the peace and plan you offer me. Help me to say Yes to you too. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

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Christmas Reflection Day 6 - Nothing is Impossible For God

12/6/2017

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Day 6 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season continues: "Nothing is impossible for God."

Scripture: "And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren, for nothing is impossible for God" (Luke 1:36).

Reflection: With God all things are possible. This truth gives us hope when we pray. When we want something in prayer, this scripture quote is encouraging. It's challenging however, to discern if God wants what we are asking for. He can do anything. But what is His will? God wants us to pray big, gigantic prayers. He wants us to expect great things from Him and to have great faith. But He also wants us to have an open heart, one that trusts Him, and accepts that His plan for our lives is the right one for us.

Questions: What feels lost? What is it that feels impossible? What are my prayers? Is it God's will, or do I hope it's God's will? What size are my prayers? Am I willing to re-present my prayers to God with a new and open heart, and allow Him to guide me? To accept His answer?

Prayer: Dear Lord, everything is possible with you. This has given me such comfort over the years. I have placed my hope in that one sentence: nothing is impossible for God. But now I want to place my hope in You, in who you are, not in what you can give me. You are Love. Help me to love you, to trust you, to turn to you now in prayer and invite you into my life once again. Of course I ask you to help me in all of my practical needs. I also ask you to help me in my spiritual ones. Heal my heart Lord and help me to be open to the extraordinary things you want to do with my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

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Christmas Reflection Day 5 - Emmanuel

12/5/2017

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Day 5 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season: "Emmanuel"

Scripture:

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel', which means 'God is with us'" (Matthew 1:23).

Reflection:

We believe by faith that God is present to us. Faith is not a feeling. Faith is a living and active trust in God, in all situations, and at all times. We trust in who God is, not in what He gives us. No matter what is happening in our lives, we are called to take God at His Word and trust in His unfailing love. God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows life is hard, and our heartache is real. God is kind and compassionate. He loves us. And healing is possible, because He is with us.

Questions:

What is Christmas like for me this year? Is it an expression of my faith, or have I lost my faith? Can I give my heart to Jesus now, just the way it is, and trust Him to love? Do I believe God is with me?

Prayer:

Thank you Lord, for coming to us and for being with us always. I know you are in my life. I know you are present to me at all times. But it doesn't always feel that way. Please help me to trust in you at all times, whether I feel your presence or not. Help me to look at the you in the crib and on the Cross, and see you there for love of me. Christmas is supposed to be a joyful time of year, but many suffer heartache and loss. Please bless them and help us all to keep the faith during the trials of life, and bring us the peace and joy of the Christmas season once again. In Jesus' name.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you, and everyone near and dear to you.

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Christmas Reflection Day 4 - "The Lord is with you."

12/4/2017

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We continue our 25 days of Christmas Scripture Reflections with Day 4: "The Lord is with you."

Scripture: "And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:28).

Reflection: Mary was chosen to be The Mother of God. This was the plan all along. From all eternity God knew He would choose her to bring His Son into the world. Jesus comes to us through Mary. She is filled with grace. God chooses us also to participate in the plan of salvation. We too can receive grace and receive the Lord within us. We do this in a spiritual way. In Mary this is accomplished in a physical way. The Christ is conceived within her, by the power of The Holy Spirit, and therefore she is respected and honored in a very particular and special way. Even the angel Gabriel hails her.

Questions: Can I ask God in prayer what Mary means to Him? Can I ask God in prayer what Mary should mean to me? Can I ask God in prayer to give me a deeper understanding of Mary's role in the plan of salvation, and in my own life? Will I accept God's answer?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see things in a new light - your Light. I thank you for entering into my humanity through Mary our Mother. She brought you into the world for us. She was obedient to your plan. Help me to imitate her in my own life. Help me to be close to her in prayer. She still lives, as do all who died in Christ just as you promised. Jesus, You died to bring us to Heaven, and you never stop hearing and answering our prayers. You also hear and answer your Mother’s prayers. She is our Mother too and prays for us as well. She loves us and will help us by bringing us closer to you, our Savior. Jesus, please help me to be respectful of your mother always, and to be obedient to you, just as she was. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.

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Christmas Reflection Day 3 - "Do Not Be Afraid"

12/3/2017

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Day 3 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season is on the message of the angel, "Do Not Be Afraid."

Scriptures:

"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:13)

"Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God'" (Luke 1:30).

"An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife ..." (Matt 1:20).

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).

Reflection: The message of the angel Gabriel is clear, and the message He is sending is from God Himself - Do Not Be Afraid! Mary and Joseph were about to bring forth God's plan of salvation for the world, but it's not a plan they carried out alone. It was God’s work, and He provided them the graces they needed.

God always provides us what we need to do His Will. Notice in the above Scripture quotes that each person is called by name. There is something personal about this message. It's a message for us too. "Do not be afraid."

Questions: Does it comfort me to know that God doesn't want me to be afraid? Have I truly talked with God about this in prayer? Do I ask God to heal me and deliver me from my fears?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you know me better than anyone else. You know what it is that I am afraid of. You know better than I do what holds me back from living a life closer to you, and doing your Will. You know how much I need to hear this message of yours. Please give me hope that I may be set free from all of my fears. Please pour out this grace upon me now, and fill me with the gifts of peace and courage. Lord, help me to not be afraid, for your plan is one of perfect love, and "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.

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Christmas Reflection Day 2 - God's Promise

12/2/2017

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Continuing our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season with Day 2 on the subject of God's Promise ...

Scripture: "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary" (Luke 1:26-27).

Reflection: Through Mary's obedience, God Himself comes to us. He doesn't send any more prophets. He comes Himself. The long awaited Messiah is here. God doesn't send an angel to deliver us. He delivers us. He sends an angel to give us this message, this good news. It's time! God keeps His promises.

Questions: Is there any situation going on in my life right now where I could be more obedient to God's will? Is God giving me a message today? Am I willing to see things differently?

Prayer: Dear Lord, you keep your word. Almighty God, you mean what you say, and you have revealed that you love us. Help me to grow in your love. Help me to accept the promise you made to be with us forever and for always. Please send my heart the message of your unconditional love for me, and prepare my heart for your coming this Christmas. Jesus, make my life new, and give me the peace you promised your followers. Amen.

Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.

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Christmas Reflections - Day 1 - God's Timing

12/1/2017

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Our 25 Days of Christmas Reflections begin today! Here is Day 1 - God's Timing

Scripture:

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption" (Galatians 4:4-5).

Reflection:

In "the fullness of time..." From the beginning of time, after the fall of Adam and Eve, God promised us a Savior that will restore us to the life He intended for us, a life close to Him, a life without sin. A life that is only possible through our free will, our free choice to share in it. From the very instant Adam and Eve used this free will to disobey God and chose death over life, God came up with a loving plan to save us - to reverse this disobedience. God is now setting that plan into motion. The timing is right. Jesus is The One who sets humanity on the right course again, in the right way, and at the right time.

Questions:

Do I fully accept what God intends for me? Do I trust in God's timing, or do I try to control the outcome? Do I believe that God has a perfect plan for me too?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for your great Love for us. Even when we rejected you, you didn't reject us. Help me to see that the story of creation is one of Love. You made us out of Love, to share in your Love forever. With no ulterior motive you made us to share in your joy and eternal happiness. Help me to be more mindful this Christmas of the gift of your love, and grant me the grace of becoming a New creation in Christ Jesus, your Son. Amen.

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Forward>>

Christmas Reflection Day 7- Mary's Yes

Christmas Reflection Day 6 - Nothing is Impossible For God

Christmas Reflection Day 5 - Emmanuel

Christmas Reflection Day 4 - "The Lord is with you."

Christmas Reflection Day 3 - "Do Not Be Afraid"

Christmas Reflection Day 2 - God's Promise

Christmas Reflections - Day 1 - God's Timing

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