I. Prayer to enter the Lord’s presence:
Be still for a moment. “Lord, I give the day that is now past to you. It is yours. I give the day that is to come to you; help me to see where you are working and to join you there. Speak to me during these moments. I commit them and myself to you.”
II. Prayer of Confession:
“Lord, you are faithful to forgive me and cleanse me of my sin when I confess it to you. I confess my sin(s) of ______________. Thank you for forgiveness.” (1 John 1:9)
III. Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Choose to be thankful, speak out loud of what God has done.
“Thank you, Father, for _________________. Fill my heart and my mouth with gratitude throughout this day.”
IV. Scripture Reflection
Luke 2:8-20
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!,,
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. (CSB)
Put yourself in the shoes of the shepherds. Imagine what that moment must have felt like. They were eyewitnesses to the most significant moment in history! If we were in their shoes, I’m sure our emotions would have run the gambit—fear, delight, bewilderment, confusion, and joy.
Now, remember that this “Good News of Great Joy” was for all people! The Good News of Jesus is proclaimed to all people, including plain and ordinary people like you and me. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him. Joy comes by believing and embracing the angel’s proclamation. Because of the Gospel of Jesus, today we can experience the same joy the shepherds experienced.
Think about how you first came to hear the “Good News of Great Joy.” Think about how your life has been changed because of the Gospel. Do you feel joy rising up in your heart? Rest in that joy.
V. Prayer for others:
Pray specifically for the concerns of your life and the lives of others.
VI. Prayer of commitment:
“Lord God, I commit to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself. Empower me today to love you and others with everything that I am.” (Luke 10:27)
This Week’s Scripture Memory:
Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7:24-27