¹⁸Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. ¹⁹His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. ²⁰Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the LORD repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the LORD”; and then they would return to their home.

²⁶Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with the people.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
• Breathe in the joy of Christmas.  Let go of any darkness that is trying to come back in.
• Breathe in the peace of Christmas.  Let go of any tension that has hold of you.
• Breathe in the love of Christmas.  Let go of anything keeping you from Christ.
• Allow the Christmas joy to pour over you once again.
• Sit in the Christmas joy.
• Notice birth and new life again today.
• Watch the birth and new life grow.
• Watch the light grow as the news spreads around the earth.
• How do you feel favor with God?
• Is there anything keeping you from feeling favor with God?
• Allow the Christmas love to nurture this place that needs to feel favor with God.
• What do you need from God?
• What is God’s message for you?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.