396 Mary Pondered These Things in Her Heart, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 2:15-19 with the Recenter With Christ app

I'm Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God. By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina:

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.

Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing. If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes. Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation: Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Bible verses for Meditation:

Luke 2 KJV 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

NRSV 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Meditation on Scripture:

Luke 2 is the classic and often read account of the Christmas story. In it we learn of the announcement of the angels, the traveling to the Bethlehem, the City of David, the manger, and the sheppards. It represents a deeply moving telling of the birth of Jesus Christ in the humblest of circumstances. It must have been intense for Mary and Joseph. I love this scripture because it mentions something that is deeply important. When profound and important things happen, do we take the time to reflect on them?

How often do you ponder important things?

Do we make specific time to ponder the most important things in our life?

I feel that many times we don't. For example, if we reflect now, when is the last time you spent time specifically dedicated to pondering the meaning of Christmas or how to bless the lives of those you love?

Many times we want to do these things but we dont make the time to do it. This scripture gives mind that Mary pondered on the nature of her Son's mission. She thought of what his life would mean, and why God chose to connect with her in such deeply personal ways. If we allow the rush of life to move us along too swiftly, we will miss important opportunities to ponder on what is essential. What is something that is important in your life that you would like to dedicate more time pondering?

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials.

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast

Updates:

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Final Question: How have you done about embracing God's strength to arise?

Final Thought:

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