Mark 6:30-34

 ³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

 ³² So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. ³³ But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

·         What do you hear as you listen?  What word or phrase stands out to you?

·         What have you learned from Jesus?

·         Where is your quiet place?

·         What do you need from Jesus tonight?

Psalm 57:1-3

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;

God sends his love and his faithfulness.

For Reflection:

• What did you hear as you listened to the text being read? What ‘shimmered’ for you?
• Using the visual, in prayer place yourself in the shadow of God’s wings.
• How do you experience taking refuge in God?
• Journal your prayer and reflection.

Mark 6:53-56

 After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

·         What did you hear as you listened? A word? A phrase?

·         Write about what you heard.

·         Where might these words intersect with you story?

·         Consider if there is a wound, a hurt, a memory that you could bring to Jesus tonight for healing?

·         Are there those in your life that you would bring to Jesus tonight for healing? 

Matthew 2:1-12

 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and we have come to worship himKing Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
      are not least among the ruling cities  of Judah,
   for a ruler will come from you
      who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

·         What did you hear as you listened?

·         What do you want to bring into your prayer from this passage?

·         Where does the Word intersect with your story?

·         Have you experienced evil trying to kill off your life in Christ? What was that like?  What has helped you?

·         How might God warn you about that which is dangerous?

·         What do you notice about your desire to worship Jesus?

Luke 2:25-35

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
   you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
 ³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
   and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

For your reflection:

·         What stood out to you in the passage?  Take a moment to journal your thoughts.

·         Are you waiting for a promise that God has given you either through prayer or scripture? What is your experience in the waiting?

·         What feeling, thought or image stays with you as you reflect on this passage? What is the prayer or meditation that comes from that experience?