An Advent Retreat Excerpt Day Twenty-Two

Day Twenty-Two

“And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:47

Personal Reflection

Reality

Rejoice always

Scripture says

even in despair,

sorrow, pain

recognizes God

stays by our side

every moment

strengthening within

realizes we are weak

substance dust

earth weighted unless

substitutes His power

Reality becomes grace.

Writing Prompt

1.     Mary believed in the Messiah with hope unseen. We believe from hope seen. Why then are we not a people who rejoice?

2.     What clouds rejoice from your heart?

3.     Is it possible to rejoice in pain and sorrow? How?

Psalm of Worship

            When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens. Psalm 104:22

Today's Thought

An Advent Retreat Excerpt Day Fifteen

Day Fifteen

Where she entered the house of Zecariah and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:40

Personal Reflection

                                    Kinship

                    Greetings to ones who know

                        have been touched by grace.

                        Relief in their presence

                        honesty without apology.

                        Guidance by sharing

                        praying together.

                        Rest apart from prying

                        tongues anxious for gossip.

                        Grateful for kinship

                        molded by prophecy.

                        Reconciliation ahead

                        prepare the way.

                        Glory announced

Writing Prompt

1.     Through unexpected joys or sorrows, have you ever become isolated from friends and family, unable to share or communicate your experience?

2.     How did that separateness add stress?

3.     Like Mary, did you find a soul kinship to walk with you? In what ways did you help each other?

4.     Do you think that sometimes we are called into isolation to be only with the Lord? Why or why not?

Psalm of Worship

            And wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart. Psalm 104:15

Today’s Thought

An Advent Retreat Excerpt Day Eight

Day Eight

“He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:33

Personal Reflection

Glimpse

Recognition glimmers

with names,

Ruler of kingdom

the promised one who

reigns forever

glimpse into eternity.

Ready now, here

this moment to

redeem creation

meet each person

rescue one to one

angel messenger

radiant with message.

Writing Prompt

1.     How often do you think you truly acknowledge the power of the Messiah?

2.     Why does our perspective tend to focus on our difficulties and not on His complete Majesty?

3.     How do you lift up your eyes to His eternal promises?

Psalm of Worship

            They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys to the place that you appointed for them. Psalm 104:8

Today’s Thought

An Advent Retreat Excerpt Day One

Day One

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth.” Luke 1:26

Personal Reflection

       Sent

On one particular day

in a specific month

to a particular region

in a specific town

he was sent.

Assigned

personally.

Did he question,

wonder why before

the journey?

Did doubts cloud

his thoughts or pulse with

joy for such an adventure.

Gabriel sent

by God

on one particular day.

Writing Prompts

1.     Describe one ordinary day in your life that became extraordinary.

2.     What specific details do you recall? Why those details?

3.     What would your reaction be if you knew your daily assignments were God delivered?

Psalm of Worship

“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.” Psalm 104:1

Today’s Thought