PREPARING OUR HEARTS AND LIVES
TO MEET JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS!
Enjoy the Spirit of Christ with a time of quiet, calm reflection on the sacred journey of the Holy Family as we prepare for Christmas.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
@ 5:30 PM
AND
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
@ 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM
Together we will pause from the season’s busyness to pray, listen, and make room in our hearts for Emmanuel, “God with Us.”
Be renewed by quiet worship, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, silence, and the gentle hope of Mary and Joseph’s faithful walk toward Bethlehem. Each session will be a unique experience!
A light snack supper will start our time together, so bring your best holiday treats!
WHAT IS BREATH PRAYER?
Breath Prayer is a simple Christian spiritual discipline that invites us to become aware of the life-giving breath God has given us and to use that awareness to draw closer to Christ in stillness and prayer.
By focusing on slow, deep, and gentle breathing, we open our hearts to God’s presence with each inhalation and exhalation, grounding our spirit in the truth that the breath of the Almighty gives us life.
Breath Prayer is a practice that can be done anywhere and anytime, helping us calm our minds, center our thoughts on God, and encounter Jesus in the ordinary rhythm of our breath. It’s a way to quiet the noise of life and cultivate a deeper, prayerful awareness of God’s nearness.
Find more information at https://www.upperroom.org/resources/breath-meditation
WHAT IS CENTERING PRAYER?
Centering Prayer is a simple yet profound Christian spiritual discipline that invites us to consent to God’s presence and action within us through silent, receptive prayer.
Rather than focusing on words or petitions, we choose a sacred word and gently return to it as we rest in the presence of the Triune God, deepening our relationship with Christ beyond conversation into communion.
Centering Prayer is rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition and practiced regularly; this discipline can enrich your prayer life and nurture a deeper awareness of God’s love and nearness.
Learn more at: https://www.upperroom.org/resources/centering-prayer.
WHAT IS LECTIO DIVINA?
Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian spiritual discipline of “divine reading” that invites believers to slow down, listen deeply, and encounter God through Scripture with the “ears of our heart.”
Rather than studying the Bible for information, we prayerfully read a passage, reflect on what the Spirit might be saying, respond in prayer, and then rest in God’s loving presence.
Practicing Lectio Divina nurtures a posture of listening and attentiveness before the Lord and helps integrate God’s word into our daily lives as a way of growing closer to Christ. It’s a beautiful discipline for Christians seeking to deepen their prayer life and communion with God through the living Word. Learn more at https://www.upperroom.org/resources/lectio-divina-praying-the-scriptures.
