Tenth Day of Christmas (Jan 3)

December 26, 2021, By: Jimmy Scruggs

Welcome! As you journey through these Twelve Day of Christmas we invite you to use this approach, which works well for individuals and groups of all ages.

Light a candle. Pause to remember the presence of God filling you with Light and Love.

Pray this Opening Prayer:

Radiant Creator, awaken me to your presence.
Jesus, Light of all Lights, kindle love in my heart.
Spirit of Illumination, guide my path today.

Christmas Reflection for the Day:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”…
            There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:22-32, 36-40)

I am the wave on the ocean,
I am the murmur of leaves rustling,
I am the rays of the sun,
I am the beam of moon and stars,
I am the power of trees growing.
I am the bud breaking into blossom,
I am the movement of salmon swimming,
I am the courage of the wild boar fighting,
I am the speed of the stag running,
I am the strength of the ox pulling the plough,
I am the size of the mighty oak tree,
And I am the thoughts of all people
Who praise my beauty and grace. (From the “Song of Amergin”)

Merry Christmas!

During this adventure of the Twelve Days of Christmas we will discover that “Christmas is not not just a long season of shopping followed by one day of partying; it is twelve days of adventure that beckon us to a lifetime of incarnational living.” (Bruce Epperly)

Thought for Today: Simeon and Anna lived a life of adventure, watching and waiting for the Christ Child. Eventually, the adventure led them to a sacred moment of discovery. So too in our lives there are God sightings every day. Life is a holy adventure whether on the high seas, driving a child to an activity, or taking a prayer walk.

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Set your intention for the day. Say: Today I will seek God in all things.

Daily Christmas Prayer: Gracious God, remind me to seek you patiently, and lead me into the experience of thin places everywhere. Bring them brightly before my eyes so that I may see beauty and love wherever I find myself. Amen

Together on the Journey,

Katie Martinez

P.S. Some of us are reading along in the short devotional book, Thin Places Everywhere: The Twelve Days of Christmas with Celtic Christianity.