Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
If you’re new to the Daily Focus, read this first, & use as much or little as you’d like.

GET FOCUSED | Start by simply thanking God for who He is & what He’s done.
+ Practice gratitude while singing/playing some worship music from Paradox on Spotify.
+ Spend a few moments meditating on today’s Old Testament Scripture: Micah 5:2
+ From your reading, finish the sentence “God, you are ___.”
Take time to thank & worship God for the ways you’ve seen Him be/do that in your life.

MORNING PRAYER FOCUS | Prayer involves both talking and listening to God.
+ Pray the Lord’s Prayer, or slow down to pray it using this Lord’s Prayer guide.
+ Use “Lectio Divina” to listen to God in this morning’s Psalm: Psalm 98
Reading 1 = Focus. What is one word or phrase that Holy Spirit puts on your heart?
Reading 2 = Feelings. Focus on that word or phrase while you read. What do you feel? What specific situation in your life today relates? Reflect and talk with God about it.
Reading 3 = Invitation. What is God’s personal invitation to you from the Scripture?
Take time to journal anything you feel the Lord might be saying to you.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FOCUS | Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth.
Today’s New Testament reading is from Luke 2:1-20
Highlight verses that capture your attention, and ask three simple questions as you read…
Observe. Pay attention to what the text says. Ask who, what, when, where, & why.
Interpret. What’s the main point or meaning? What does it teach about God? Yourself?
Apply. Apply this truth to your own life. What can you put into practice today?

A THOUGHT FROM TODAY’S READING…
Merry Christmas! I grew up reading today’s reading each Christmas morning with my family. As a child, I just wanted my Dad, Mom, or sister to read it faster so that we could move on to opening the gifts that were under the tree. Now, as an adult, the significance of this reading has grown because of its familiarity in my life over the years. Today what I feel like Jesus is showing me is that He meets us in regular, everyday life. Sometimes we think we need to do something special or extraordinary to encounter God - but this passage shows us that He is available to all of us, no matter where we are. He is available to the young couple, ready to give birth any day and trying to get back home. He is available to the tired shepherds; watching over their flock at night. He meets you in your everyday life too - wherever you are. If you’re working hard, trying to get by - He meets you there. If you’re stressed; trying to make this season perfect for those around you- He will meet you there too. If things are going great in your life - He meets you there. If things haven’t gone how you’d hoped/ thought/ planned and you wonder where He is - He meets you there. Jesus is Immanuel - God with us. So wherever you find yourself today - surrounded with family, alone, at work, or any other place - He is meeting you right where you are. He is ready to show you His love and mercy, and He wants a relationship with you! Jesus, help us to see you wherever we may find ourselves today - and help us to meet with you right in that place. - Gwyn Kubiak

EVENING PRAYER FOCUS | Re-Focus on Jesus by returning to prayer each evening.
Replay = Replay your day. What made you happy, joyful, anxious, or burdened?
Rejoice = Give thanks to God for the small and the significant things from the day.
Repent = Ask God for forgiveness where you need. Receive His forgiveness afresh.
Refocus = Ask to see God’s presence more clearly & walk w/ Him more closely tomorrow.
+ Practice hearing from God by asking questions like, “Father, what do you want me to know about you?” or “Father, what do you want to say about your love for me?” Simply be still and listen, or journal anything that comes to mind. Learn more about hearing from God using the Tending Your Heart guide.

SHARE THE FOCUS |
+ Pray a Ripple Prayer or use Nations Prayer to pray for the nations & those serving them.
+ Text someone an encouragement, or share a thought/question with us in the Forum.
+ Invite someone to read the Focus with you. Text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
+ Who can you share what you’re learning with today personally?

That’s all for today.
Stay focused on Jesus, and make it a great one!