Sunday

“The Lord told Moses to say to the people of Israel: Offer sacrifices to me at the appointed times of worship, so
that I will smell the smoke and be pleased.” Numbers28:1-2

It important to prepare for the Lord?

What can you do to prepare for Today, I felt God’s
Christmas? presence when…
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___________________________________ Unless our heart is ready, worship is meaningless. The people
___________________________________ of the Bible had to undergo a period of preparation to insure
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their hearts were ready for worship. By spending time
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___________________________________ preparing to worship, the people of the Old Testament were
___________________________________ able to stay away from idolatry. God is pleased by hearts that
___________________________________ are prepared to receive his guidance.
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Monday
“For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title,
though you knew me not.” Isaiah 45:4

List 1 thing each day that you notice the world around you doing to prepare for Christmas.

Monday: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday:___________________________________________________________________________________________

How can your preparations for the season be more spiritual and less about the ‘world’?
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 Tuesday
A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus
walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “I am here. Don’t be
afraid.”John 6:18-21
Sometimes things happen when you least expect them to. Think of an example when this has happened to you
and made a difference in your life.
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Wednesday
Are there any people in your life who could be
waiting for you? Waiting for you to call, write
a letter or apologize? How about…
Call, write a letter or make time for the people that
you checked off in the box on the left. How did it
make you feel? More importantly, how did it make
them feel?

_____ An old Friend who would like to hear __________________________________________________

from you?
_____ A grandparent or elderly family member
who you forget to call?
_____ A brother or sister that you never make
enough time for?
_____ Your mom or dad who really wants to
talk to you and get to know you more?
Anyone else? ________________________________
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 Thursday
Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under pressure, for God loves
a cheerful giver.2 Corinthians 9:7
The point of giving is not so much
the amount we give, but why and
how we give. Giving is a response
of love and joy for God and
others. God does not want gifts
given grudgingly. Instead, he
wants us to give out of dedication
to him, love for fellow believers,
the joy of helping those in need,
and because it is right to do so.
The willingness to give cheerfully
is more important than the
amount you give. Giving actually
benefits the giver, as well as the
recipient. A gift can also serve as
an act of worship to God and can
inspire other people’s giving.
Friday
What is the best gift you have
ever received? Why?
What is the best gift you have
ever given?
What are you generous with?
What are you stingy with?
Your money? Time? Talents? Possessions?
Write a prayer asking God to show you where you can be
more generous.
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PRAYER OF
THANKSGIVING
Almighty Father, you are
lavish in bestowing all your
gifts, and we give you
thanks for the favors you
have given to us. In your
goodness you have
favored us and kept us
safe in the past. We ask
that you continue to protect
us and to shelter us in the
shadow of your wings. We
ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
 Saturday
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your
love and your grace. That is enough for me. Amen (St. Ignatius of Loyola)
Did you make time for God each day this week? Did you complete all of your journal
entries?
Next Week, to find more time to spend with God I will:
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Things I am most Thankful for this week:

1.___________________________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________________________

Prayers This Week How God Answered

Preparing for Sunday

Gospel
Lk 1:39-45

Mary set out

and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”