#Pray25 GUIDE 2022

Thank you for joining us in this At the end of this Advent season, will

Biblical journey from the beginning you more fully say, “Here I am, Lord,”

of time in Genesis to the birth of with an open and humble heart? Will

Jesus in the Gospels. From the you be bolder in accepting God’s

Garden of Eden to a manger in the call? Will you be filled with greater

small town of Bethlehem, we’ll hope come the Nativity?

reflect on God’s constant, loving

call to humanity for generations to

Keep this prayer guide near as you
do His will, including his call to you.
listen to the Daily Reflections of

Advent #Pray25 featuring The

Chosen. Underline the words or

Alongside several members of the
phrases in Scripture that stand out
cast of The Chosen, we’ll reflect on
to you, and reflect further on the
the Jesse tree narrative, which
sessions through journaling and
traces the lineage of Christ and
imaginative prayer writing. At the
how God fulfilled His promises to us
end of Advent, you’ll trace your own
in an unimaginable way – the Savior,
journey from prophecy to fulfillment,
a meek and humble infant born in a
darkness to light, despair to hope.
manger.

As we begin our time in prayer and God Bless you, your friends, and

reflection, notice the responses of your family, this Advent season!

God’s chosen people. These next

few weeks, ponder how these

responses compare and contrast.

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 The Table of

Contents
Third Week of Advent
21 Day 14: Sunday Readings, Matthew 11:2-11

23 Day 15: Luke 1, Luke 1:5-20

24 Day 16: Annunciation, Luke 1:26-38

26 Day 17: Visitation, Luke 1:39-45

28 Day 18: Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55

First Week of Advent
29 Day 19: Zechariah, Luke 1:59-79
1 Day 1: In the Beginning, John 1:1-14
31 Day 20: “Ave Maria”
2 Day 2: Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:8-15

4 Day 3: Noah, Genesis 9:23-24, 9:8-17

5 Day 4: Abraham, Genesis 22:10-18

Fourth Week of Advent
7 Day 5: Moses, Exodus 3:3-14

9 Day 6: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” 32 Day 21: Sunday Readings, Matthew 1:18-24

34 Day 22: The Journey, Luke 2:1-6

35 Day 23: Innkeeper, Luke 2:6-7

36 Day 24: Shepherds, Luke 2:8-16

Second Week of Advent
37 Day 25: Wise Men, Matthew 2:7-12
10 Day 7: Sunday Readings, Matthew 3:1-12
38 Day 26: The Christ Child, Isaiah 9:6-7
12 Day 8: Ruth, Ruth 1:8-19
40 Day 27: “O, Holy Night”
13 Day 9: David, 1 Samuel 16:4-13

15 Day 10: Elijah, 1 Kings 19:9-13

16 Day 11: Isaiah, Isaiah 11:1-9

Christmas Day
18 Day 12: Jonah, Jonah 3:1-10

20 Day 13: “Hope for Everyone” 41 Day 28: Christmas Prayer, Luke 2:4-14

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 Day 1: IN THE BEGINNING
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was He was in the world, and the world came into being
with God, and the Word was God. He was in the through him; yet the world did not know him. He
beginning with God. All things came into being came to what was his own, and his own people did
through him, and without him not one thing came not accept him. But to all who received him, who
into being. What has come into being in him was believed in his name, he gave power to become
life, and the life was the light of all people. The light children of God, who were born, not of blood or of
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

overcome it.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and
There was a man sent from God, whose name was we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only
John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so son, full of grace and truth.
that all might believe through him. He himself was
not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The
true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming
into the world. John 1:1-14

Begin by carefully reflecting on these first few verses of

the Gospel of John. Which phrases stand out to you?

As we seek to grow closer to the true Light in this season of

Advent, consider the areas filled with darkness in your life; how
can you invite Christ’s light into your life? How might your
heart be transformed or renewed in this season of waiting?

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Day 2: Adam & Eve
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I
the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent,

the man and his wife hid themselves from the

presence of the Lord God among the trees of the “Because you have done this,
garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and cursed are you among all animals

said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the and among all wild creatures;

sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, upon your belly you shall go,

because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

and dust you shall eat

all the days of your life.

He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have I will put enmity between you and the woman,

you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you and between your offspring and hers;

not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you he will strike your head,
gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and you will strike his heel.”
and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman,
“What is this that you have done?” Genesis 3:8-15

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 But the Lord God called to the man, and said to
him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the
sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid,
because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
Genesis 3:8-15

When God first seeks a relationship with Adam and Eve, they hide. Reflect on
the times when you have been tempted to hide from God’s presence in your
life. How has He continued to call on you in these moments?

Then, after the Fall, God promises Adam and Eve that He will send a savior
to crush the serpent, though this took generations upon generations. What
promises are you waiting for Him to fulfill in your life? How can you wait for
Him with prayer and patience?

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 Day 3: Noah
Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in creature that is with you, for all future generations: I
the ark. And the waters swelled on the earth for one have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign
hundred fifty days. [...]

of the covenant between me and the earth. When I

bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between
“As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and
and your descendants after you, and with every the waters shall never again become a flood to
living creature that is with you, the birds, the destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will
domestic animals, and every animal of the earth see it and remember the everlasting covenant
with you, as many as came out of the ark. 11 I between God and every living creature of all flesh
establish my covenant with you, that never again that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the
shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and sign of the covenant that I have established between
never again shall there be a flood to destroy the me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant

that I make between me and you and every living Genesis 9: 23-24, 9: 8-17

When have you experienced Jesus’s invitation to

follow Him? How have you received His invitations?

When God calls on Noah to build the ark, he listens;

how is God calling you this Advent? The story of
Noah and the Ark reminds us of our need for a savior
– where in your life do you need a savior this Advent?

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Day 4: Abraham
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second
knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called time from heaven, and said, “By myself I have
to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this,
And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will
hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as
know that you fear God, since you have not withheld numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand
your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall
looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its possess the gate of their enemies, and by your
horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain
it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed
Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; my voice.”
as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it
shall be provided.” Genesis 22:10-18

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 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the
knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord
called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham,
Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Genesis 22:10-18

Like Noah, Abraham accepts God’s call, but we can only imagine what this “yes” to
sacrifice Isaac must have felt like. Abraham does not understand why God would demand
such a sacrifice, yet he still surrenders himself to the will of God. In what areas of your
life do you struggle to respond to God with “yes?”

In what ways are you able to say “yes” to God and accept Him as your constant companion?

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Day 5: Moses
Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God,
great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring
When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with
God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who
And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no sent you: when you have brought the people out of
closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”

place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He

said further, “I am the God of your father, the God But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has
Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his
look at God.

name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to

Moses, “I am who I am.”
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of
my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry
on account of their taskmasters. [...] So come, I will
send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Exodus 3:3-14

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 But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites
and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has
sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his
name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to
Moses, “I am who I am.”
Exodus 3:3-14

How do the stories of Noah, Abraham, and Moses that

we have reflected on thus far relate to one another?

What does “Here I am” mean to you? And how do you respond when
God calls on you? Is it with the same, “Here I am, Lord” as Moses?

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 DAY 6: MUSIC

“O COME, O COME,
EMMANUEL”

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Sean Beeson

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Day 7: Second Sunday of Advent
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not
kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as
whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these

stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down
make his paths straight.’”

and thrown into the fire.

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one
leather belt around his waist, and his food was who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I
locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize
and all Judea were going out to him, and all the you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing
region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing
him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but
the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees
coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of Matthew 3:1-12

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 “The voice of one crying out in the
wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight.’”

Matthew 3:1-12

Have you ever felt you’re in the wilderness like

John the Baptist – lost, cold, tired, alone?

God continually calls on you, in the wilderness or not, just like he

called on Abraham, John the Baptist, Mary, and many others. How
can you make room for Him in your life this Advent? How can you
accept God’s invitation into greater communion with Him?

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 Day 8: Ruth
But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters, why will “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from
you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb following you!

that they may become your husbands? Turn back,

my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge;

a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, your people shall be my people, and your God my
even if I should have a husband tonight and bear God. Where you die, I will die—there will I be buried.

sons, would you then wait until they were grown? May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well,

Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my if even death parts me from you!”

daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than

for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with
against me.” Then they wept aloud again. Orpah her, she said no more to her. So the two of them went
kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

on until they came to Bethlehem.

So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to
her people and to her gods; return after your sister- RUTH 1:8-19
in-law.” But Ruth said,

Ruth, like Mary, was a woman of action. She worked

to make things right in the face of hardship and
injustice; she surrendered her plans to God’s will. How
can you imitate Ruth in your own life at home, work or
school, or church?

In what areas of your life does passivity tempt you

from being bold? How can you be bold in your own
journey to Bethlehem?

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Day 9: David

Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said,
Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made
trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel
said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of
Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons
sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and here?” And he said, “There remains yet the
invited them to the sacrifice.

youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel

said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought
“Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes,
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint
appearance or on the height of his stature, because I him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn
have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his
mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily
but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called upon David from that day forward.
Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He
said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 1 Samuel 16:4-13

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 “The Lord said, “Rise and anoint
him; for this is the one.””
1 Samuel 16:4-13

This passage from 1 Samuel reflects on the family tree

that led to Jesus. What have you noticed about the
people God chose in this lineage?

How did God forgive David, the shepherd boy chosen to be king?
Just as God loved Ruth, David, and many others through their
brokenness, how has God forgiven you? How can you invite God
into your heart and pray for mercy today?

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 Day 10: Elijah
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”
before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind;
He answered, “I have been very zealous for the and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was
Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire,
forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a
and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he
left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and

stood at the entrance of the cave.
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before
the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now
there was a great wind, so strong that it was 1 Kings 19:9-13

Elijah flees to Mt. Horeb, yearning to be with the Lord – hopeless, distressed, and
exhausted. And then God reveals Himself to Elijah in the “sound of sheer silence,”
on the same mountain where He spoke to Moses in the burning bush.

These are not the only quiet moments in Scripture in which God reveals Himself.
Consider the very Nativity we are preparing for – the middle of the night in the
small town of Bethlehem. As we prepare for the humble birth of Christ in the
manger, how can you create space and time in the quiet to rest with God?

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 Day 11: Isaiah

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,

and a little child shall lead them.

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The cow and the bear shall graze,

the spirit of counsel and might,

their young shall lie down together;

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

and the weaned child shall put its hand on

or decide by what his ears hear;
the adder’s den.

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

They will not hurt or destroy

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

on all my holy mountain;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord

and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
as the waters cover the sea.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,

and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

The wolf shall live with the lamb, Isaiah 11:1-9

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 “His delight shall be in the fear of the
Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes
see, or decide by what his ears hear;”

1 Samuel 16:4-13

We’ve journeyed thus far with several Old Testament figures who God chose but
are still fully human and struggled with their imperfections and weaknesses just
like us – Adam and Eve, Moses, Ruth, and David, among others. Isaiah presents us
with a different kind of chosen person, someone in the lineage of Jesse. Someone
who would rebuild the Kingdom.

Reflect carefully on Isaiah’s prophecy – what words stood out to you? Which
phrases give you hope in this season of waiting for the birth of Jesus?

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Day 12: Jonah
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, the king and his nobles: No human being or animal,
saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not
proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah feed, nor shall they drink water. Human beings and
set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they
of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their
city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go evil ways and from the violence that is in their
into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his
“Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we
overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed do not perish.”

God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and

small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from
their evil ways, God changed his mind about the
When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose calamity that he had said he would bring upon them;
from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself and he did not do it.
with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had a
proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of Jonah 3:1-10

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 “...God changed his mind about the
calamity that he had said he would
bring upon them; and he did not do it.”

Jonah 3:1-10

Jonah flees when God first calls on him to journey to Nineveh.

Struggling with the potential salvation of the Ninevites, who Jonah
saw as unfit for God’s grace, Jonah ends up in the belly of the whale.
As we just read, Jonah accepts God’s will the second time. Jonah
preaches to the Ninevites, and they listen, and God extends His
grace. When have you acted or thought as Jonah did in this story?

When have you rejected God’s call in your life? How have you
resisted God's limitless mercy? How can you practice saying
“yes” or “Here I am” during Advent?

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 DAY 13: MUSIC

“ hOPE FOR
eVERYONE ”

“Hear the angels sing

There's hope for everyone

To announce our King”

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Day 14: THIRD Sunday of Advent

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who
doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and
for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it
John what you hear and see: the blind receive their is written,

sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who who will prepare your way before you.’

takes no offense at me.”

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the
crowds about John: “What did you go out into the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?
What then did you go out to see? Matthew 11:2-11

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 “See, I am sending my messenger
ahead of you, who will prepare
your way before you.”

Matthew 11:2-11

As we turn to the New Testament, remember the prophecies and promises we’ve
reflected on in the last two weeks. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist’s disciples
ask Jesus if he is “the one who is to come” – if he is the Promised One.

How does Jesus show, rather than tell, John’s disciples that he is the Messiah?
Consider how God has shown His love for you in your life: what seasons or
moments come to mind?

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 Day 15: Luke 1
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice
named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the
of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink;
her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy
before God, living blamelessly according to all the Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to
commandments and regulations of the Lord. But the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of
they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of
and both were getting on in years.

parents to their children, and the disobedient to the

wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people
Once when he was serving as priest before God and prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah said to the angel,
his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old
according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter man, and my wife is getting on in years.” The angel
the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of
the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to
of the people was praying outside. Then there bring you this good news. But now, because you did
appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their
right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until
him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the day these things occur.”
the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth
will bear you a son, and you will name him John. Luke 1:5-20

How does Zechariah’s response differ from Mary’s “yes” to the Angel Gabriel?
Can you call to mind a few times when your heart has been hardened like
Zechariah’s? What dreams or longings have you closed your heart to recently or
in the past? Take some time to write down these dreams and longings with God.
How can you invite God into them to soften and bring peace into your heart?

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Day 16: Annunciation
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said
God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come
house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he upon you, and the power of the Most High will
came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will
Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your
his words and pondered what sort of greeting this relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a
might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said
Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with
you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of
you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord Then the angel departed from her.
God will give to him the throne of his ancestor
David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, Luke 1:26-38

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 “Here am I, the servant of the
Lord; let it be with me according
to your word.”

Luke 1:26-38

Today, we hear Mary’s bold “yes” in the Gospel of Luke. How does
Mary’s response build on those of the Old Testament figures?

How can you imitate Mary this Advent season, preparing your
heart to be a dwelling place for Christ? Where in your life is God
calling you to say “yes” to Him as Mary does?

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Day 17: Visitation
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I
Judean town in the hill country, where she entered heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my
the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who
Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in believed that there would be a fulfillment of what
her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb. And why has this happened to me, that the Luke 1:39-45

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 “Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb...”

Luke 1:26-38

This encounter between Mary, the Mother of God, and her cousin Elizabeth, the
mother of John the Baptist, beautifully demonstrates God's overflowing grace in
their lives. It is a hidden moment filled with much meaning and joy. Mary exclaims the
Good News. John the Baptist leaps inside Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth cries excitedly.

How can you imitate Mary’s example of faith that spills out in joy to serve others?
Imagine Christ dwelling in your heart – how do you think and act with Him?

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 Day 18: Magnificat
And Mary said,

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of

their hearts.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of

his servant.
he has filled the hungry with good things,

Surely, from now on all generations will call

and sent the rich away empty.

me blessed;

He has helped his servant Israel,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
in remembrance of his mercy,

and holy is his name.

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

His mercy is for those who fear him

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; Luke 1:46-55

Reflect on Mary’s beautiful “Magnificat,” her song of praise. What

stood out to you? You might notice the change in verb tense –
why does Mary speak in the past tense? Consider how you might
magnify and praise God in this Advent season just like Mary
does. How can you keep Him at the center of your life?

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 Day 19: Zechariah
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our
and they were going to name him Zechariah after his ancestors,

father. But his mother said, “No; he is to be called and has remembered his holy covenant,

John.” They said to her, “None of your relatives has the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,

this name.” Then they began motioning to his father to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands
to find out what name he wanted to give him. He of our enemies,

asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is might serve him without fear, in holiness and
John.” And all of them were amazed. Immediately righteousness

his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he before him all our days.

began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all And you, child, will be called the prophet of the
their neighbors, and all these things were talked Most High;

about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. for you will go before the Lord to prepare his
All who heard them pondered them and said, “What ways,

then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand to give knowledge of salvation to his people

of the Lord was with him.

by the forgiveness of their sins.

By the tender mercy of our God,

He has raised up a mighty savior for us

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

in the house of his servant David,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets shadow of death,

from of old,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
that we would be saved from our enemies and
from the hand of all who hate us. Luke 1:59-79

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 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His
name is John.” And all of them were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue
freed, and he began to speak, praising God.
Matthew 11:2-11

Refer back to Day 15; after his doubting moment before the Angel Gabriel,
Zechariah has been mute up until now, spending the term of Elizabeth’s pregnancy
in silence. Zechariah joyfully proclaims this great canticle after this long period of
quiet waiting. Our own Advent journey reflects this necessary patience as we
await the Nativity.

Can you relate to Zechariah in any way? Reflect on the beginning of this Advent
season – were you struggling or full of joy? How do you feel now?

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 DAY 20: MUSIC

“ Ave Maria, gratia

plena, dominus
tecum ”

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee”

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Day 21: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by
this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged the Lord through the prophet:

to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was

found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

husband Joseph, being a righteous man and and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned

to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke
to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord
dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be commanded him; he took her as his wife …
afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will
bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he
will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-24

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 “Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take Mary as your wife,
for the child conceived in her is
from the Holy Spirit...”

Matthew 1:18-24

In today’s Gospel reading, Joseph experiences the pressure of social

expectations. Afraid of a potential scandal, he responds righteously.

Consider the traits you display when you’re under pressure – what do
you know about your character in times of stress and difficulty? How
do you use your gifts during challenging moments? How is the Holy
Spirit calling on you to wake up and follow God’s call?

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 Day 22: The Journey
In those days a decree went out from Caesar David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the
Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary,
This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was his betrothed, who was with child.
governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to
his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee
from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of Luke 2:1-6

While this passage from the Gospel of Luke is short, the Holy Family’s journey from
Nazareth to Bethlehem likely didn’t feel that way.

Imagine this scene of Joseph and Mary, pregnant with Jesus, traveling on foot.
What do you see, hear, and feel? What do you notice about Joseph and Mary?

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 Day 23: The Innkeeper
While they were there, the time came for her to IMAGINE: Imagine what Bethlehem must have
deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn looked and sounded like with people returning home
son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid for the census. Crowded. Loud. Busy. Consider if you
him in a manger, because there was no place for were the inn owner where Mary and Joseph knocked
them in the inn. just hours before Mary gave birth.

Luke 2:6-7

What would you say to them? The innkeeper said there

was no room, though we don’t know why. When have
you failed, like the innkeeper, to welcome Christ into
your home and heart?

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 Day 24: Shepherds
In that region there were shepherds living in the “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the

glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to
afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place,
great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went
the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child
Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child lying in the manger.
wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Luke 2:8-16

Have you noticed that the story of God’s chosen people is full of
shepherds? Abraham, Moses, David. We read of the shepherds living
in the fields who the angel of the Lord appeared to in the middle of
the night. Did you know that shepherding had become an occupation
at the margins of society at this point in time?

What emotions would God’s invitation stir up in your heart if you

were a shepherd? How would you feel arriving at the manger?

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 Day 25: Wise Men
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they
learned from them the exact time when the star had saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt
appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, down and paid him homage. Then, opening their
“Go and search diligently for the child; and when treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold,
you have found him, bring me word so that I may frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned
also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their
the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, own country by another road.
went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it
stopped over the place where the child was. When
they saw that the star had stopped, they were Matthew 2:7-12

What stands out to you in this passage? Consider the

many reactions to the arrival of Jesus we’ve reflected
on thus far: of Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, the
shepherds, and now Herod and the wise men.

How do the reactions of Herod and the wise men

differ from one another? How do you react now to
Jesus coming into your life? To dwell in your heart?

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Day 26: The Christ Child
For a child has been born for us,
for the throne of David and his kingdom.

a son given to us;

He will establish and uphold it

authority rests upon his shoulders;

with justice and with righteousness

and he is named
from this time onward and forevermore.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace Isaiah 9:6-7

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 For a child has been born for us, a son
given to us; authority rests upon his
shoulders; and he is named Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6-7

We return to Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah generations before the

birth of Christ in these very last days of Advent. Consider this great
mystery of God’s love for us: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is
an infant lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Imagine yourself
beside the baby Jesus – what do you see, hear, and feel?

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 DAY 27: MUSIC

O Holy Night! The

stars are brightly
shining It is the
night of the dear
Savior's birth!

“O Holy Night” by Kat Hammock

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Day 28: Christmas Prayer
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for
of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and that will be for all the people. For today in the city of
family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his David a savior has been born for you who is Christ
betrothed, who was with child. While they were and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will
there, the time came for her to have her child, and find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and
she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him lying in a manger.”

in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly

host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory
Now there were shepherds in that region living in to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on
the fields and keeping the night watch over their whom his favor rests.”
flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and
the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were struck with great fear. Luke 2:4-14

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 “Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:4-14

Joy to the World! Our Savior is finally here. Our Advent journey has
come to an end and now we sit together, admiring the baby Jesus.

What words stand out to you in the Gospel today? How does the
angel’s proclamation of the Good News make you feel?

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Merry Christmas

from all of us
at Hallow!

Thank you so much for praying with us this Advent season. We

began our journey with Genesis and find ourselves renewed
with the hope and joy of the Good News of the Nativity.