Setting Up Advent| Are You Anticipating Christmas?

      

Hey there Sojourner Sisters, I know we are used to the trend of 2-minute reels on the socials; so anything longer than the effort required to listen and engage may get swiped away.  No shame, we are all guilty and suffering from attention span deficit. 

Anyways, as we reorient our hearts by way of intentionally pausing to look, listen, and be in awe of God's spectacular gift to the World in the person of Christ Jesus, I'm inviting you all for a few minutes to listen in on this "Setting Up Advent 2023" encouragement from our Chief Encourager, Dannet.

Week 1: Sunday Scriptures that we're allowing to steep into our heads and hearts:

Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 7:14

John 1:14

S-O-A-P  one of the above texts or all of them to see how each verse reorient your thinking towards the main thing ...ONE, of the Christmas holiday season.

What's SOAPing the scriptures?  If the term is not familiar, no worries, it's quite simple.

S- scripture, write the text (s)/ verses out in your journal, allowing each word to roll off the tip of your pen. Read it out loud a couple of times, hearing its depth.

O- observe any key theme (s), God's character,  repeated words and phrases, and promises.

A- Application, (sometimes immediate or progressive for prayerful silence and contemplation) Note: every text doesn't have something for you to do at once‼️ Often scripture stirs us and creates space for us to wrestle with its call and demand. Scripture orientes us to "be"... more like Jesus. 

P- pray,  Scripture draws us near to our great author and creator, as we read and contemplate the written word, God's Holy Spirit illuminates the truth (brings it forward by bearing witness of Jesus), and my friends ignite prayerfulness. Our response is Adoration and Thanksgiving at the start.

Enjoy!

NEXT UP:  Week 1: Anticipating Christmas, Day 2 |HOPE

Wednesday, December 5th