Presence

Let my heart rejoice and be glad
in this time of prayer.
Remind me often of the great
blessings You have bestowed on me, oh my God.

Freedom

Lord, guide me always
to do Your holy will,
knowing that Your strength
will carry me through.

Consciousness

My soul longs for Your presence, Lord. When I turn my thoughts to You, I find peace and contentment.

The Word of God

¹⁶So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, ¹⁹and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

²¹When the eighth day came, it was time to circumcise the child, and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Inspiration

Today, the shepherds make their presence known to us. They are simple folk, well used to the mountains, and they know how to look after themselves as well as their sheep. Somehow, their simple life seems to have helped them become like an open book before God. They find where he rests and feel at ease with his parents, simple folk, like themselves. Mary listens to whatever they have to say and ponders what she hears over quite a long period. We try to imitate their example.

Conversation

What graces does God want to bestow on me in this time of prayer? If I listen deep inside, in the quiet of my heart, what is the Lord saying to me there?

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen