Today's Reading · Monday Dec 25
Luke 2:1-20
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Contents
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Week 1 (Dec 3 — Dec 9) Acknowledge Weariness
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Week 2 (Dec 10 - Dec 16) Discover Joy
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Week 3 (Dec 17 - Dec 23) Be Amazed
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Christmas Eve (Dec 24) Sing Hope
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Christmas Day (Dec 25) Make Room
New readings are added each day, so be sure to check back!
Week 1 (Dec 3 — Dec 9)
Acknowledge Weariness
Memory Passage
A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
— Isaiah 40:3
Weekly Practice
Write a list of everything that makes you weary. Rip it up.
Reach out to someone who might be feeling weary. Tell them, “I’ve been thinking about you.”
Breathe deeply and pray. With every exhale, release something that makes you weary. With every inhale, ask God for something that brings you joy.
Week 2 (Dec 10 - Dec 16)
Discover Joy
Memory Passage
The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”
— Luke 1:35
Weekly Practice
Write a list of everything—big and small—that brings you joy. Display it somewhere you will see it daily.
Reach out to someone who brings you joy. Tell them, “I appreciate you.”
Practice embodied joy. For example, cook or eat something that fills you with delight. Or listen to your favorite song and sing or dance along.
Week 3 (Dec 17 - Dec 23)
Be Amazed
Memory Passage
The wolf shall live with the lamb;
the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the lion will feed together,
and a little child shall lead them.
— Isaiah 11:6
Weekly Practice
Go on a walk in a familiar place. As often as you can, stop and look up. Pay attention to details you usually miss.
Spend time looking at the night sky and stars. Offer a prayer of gratitude to God.
Look back at the list of joys from Week Two. Do something on that list!
Christmas Eve
Sing Hope
Memory Passage
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”
— Luke 1:46-47
Practice
Ask someone who is older than you what gives them hope. Then, ask someone who is younger than you what gives them hope. What did you learn?
Listen to or sing the song, “O Holy Night.” What gives you a “thrill of hope”?
Look back at the list of joys from Week Two. Do something on that list!
Christmas Eve Reading
Christmas Day
Make Room
Memory Passage
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
— Luke 2:10-11
Practice
Reflect on how you might make room in your life by eliminating or removing something.
Reach out to someone you’d like to get to know better.
Do something kind for a neighbor or family member that you wouldn’t normally do.
Christmas Day Reading