Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon Him in yourself. ~ Teresa of Avila
Spinning around me, the whole world seems to be moving in fast forward. I find myself resisting the pull of that frantic pace. Mornings of slow coffee sipping, afternoons of quiet solitude, and evenings of reading have become my routine.
The calendar still beckons with Nutcracker rehearsals, Christmas festival preparations, class parties, and the list that never seems to end. But this year, I’m choosing stillness …. even if it means other things don’t get done.
Focusing on His story rather than my own schedule.
I’ll spend this month reading the Gospel of Luke, a chapter a day until Christmas Eve. Written “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (1:4), my mornings will take me on a journey through the life of Christ … from Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes to Rabbi calling followers, from Great Physician healing the sick to the ridiculed Son of Man hanging on the Cross … and on Christmas Eve as we prepare for our Communion service, my thoughts will drift back to Luke 24, read that day, and the Resurrected Lord who will one day return for His bride.
In the stillness of the early morning, I pray my heart will be turned toward His as I read the familiar parables and accounts of His life. And I will be quiet and listen.
Will you join me in this season of stillness?
May I offer you a small gift this Christmas season? Please download my free ebook, “The Places of Christmas.” Click below to access the download.
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I find myself in the same place Teri Lynne. At first I was concerned b/c I didn’t feel the usual… “Christmas Spirit”. But I think, without even realizing it, I was resisting the pull of the craziness that can accompany this season. I’ve been much more quiet and thoughtful… prayerful and still. I too still have places to be and there is much fun to be had. But after this last year, this season of celebrating has become much more personal… between me and my Savior.
I hope you’re having a good week. I continue to pray for you and the work God is doing.
Love and hugs… Steph
Twitter: stacey29lincoln
December 2, 2010 at 9:32 am
Exact.Same.Page. I’d lov to join you in that challenge of reading Luke. What a great idea!
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Sounds like time well spent, Teri Lynne. And yes, I will join you.
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