12.14.22 | The Angels

The season of Advent in the liturgical church calendar is traditionally a season of fasting that culminates in the celebration of Jesus’ birth, known historically as the Nativity Fast.

Throughout this season of Advent, we will be focusing on preparing our hearts in the same way to celebrate the birth of King Jesus by engaging with the accounts of various people who were present at the Nativity.

For this third week of Advent, we will spend time reflecting on the presence of the angels in Luke 2:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Consider what stood out to you or what the Lord put on your heart today regarding the angels. Spend time in prayer or journal about what you are hearing as you encounter God, utilizing the four movements of FAST:

  1. Focus: Find a quiet place to settle your mind and open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
  2. Adoration: Spend time honoring and exalting God, tell him what you appreciate about him. Contemplate on who he is and what he has done. You might even be able to get a sense of his presence with you.
  3. Speak: Commune with God, taking moments to both speak to him about what’s on your heart and to pause and listen for his voice. Use journals to write down what you hear him say. Ask simple follow up questions like, “is there anything else you’d like me to know about [fill in the topic]” to really get to the heart of what Jesus wants to communicate to you and what you want to say to him or plead for while you fast.
  4. Transform: Commit to taking active steps to change or address what the Lord revealed during your time of fasting.

Past Fasting & Prayer Focus Posts