36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Questions for Reflection:
In your life, assuming at some point you have experienced pain and/or loss… have you any bitterness that needs healing by Jesus?
In your life, assuming at some point you have experienced pain and/or loss… have you lost some hope?
Prayer of the Week:
Daily Opening Prayer (Concluding with an option for 2 minutes of silence)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the reality and opportunity to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be in Your presence this day. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father with an irreplaceable role to play this day, in Your larger story.
Jesus, help me untangle from all other claims on my attention as I engage with you in this time. I ask for more of your JOY today and an increased capacity to REJOICE in You and all You are to me. I am open to You Jesus now … I rest in You… (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed, this time is embedded in the audio version … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)
Daily Closing Prayer
Thank you Father for sending me your Son, the Light of the World, through the mystery of His incarnation. Fill me with Your Light, fill me with the Holy Spirit, and give me a deeper desire for You, for Your JOY in my life, and a sense of bring Your Light into the darkness of this world. Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebration of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with Your life and Your love.
Jesus through waiting I ask for more of Your presence. I want to know You more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with You. I receive You now.
I am excited to see what You can do today. I know You can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.
I am waiting for Your cue.
Amen
