Hello Friend, Merry Christmas! I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for accepting the invitation to come away and be with Jesus, finding rest and enjoying times of refreshing, recalibrating, refocusing, and refueling.

Our 25 days in the "Awakening of the Heart in Advent" were a wonderful time of dedication and consecration to the Lord. It was a beautiful opportunity for spiritual renewal, helping us deepen our faith and connection to Christ during this special season.

Let us pray, Mighty God, on this Christmas Day, we pause to celebrate your immeasurable goodness and the precious gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.

May this day be filled with meaningful moments and connections, reminding us of the light and hope that Christ brings to our lives.

For those who may be feeling alone, or unwell, or unable to join in the celebrations, we lift them to you, Lord. Surround them and us with your compassionate presence and fill us all with the warmth of your love.

As we cherish this day, may the spirit of Christmas continue to inspire us. Help us to embody love and compassion, sharing the hope of Jesus with those around us.

Thank you, Papa God, for your boundless grace. Amen

Now, friend, I want to remind you that we begin each January with our annual 21 days of consecration and prayer, including fasting, which we call "The F(e)ast." This starts on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

To kick off this meaningful spiritual time of consecrating the new year together, we will gather for a special session of prayer, consecration, and vision casting on the first Friday of the new year, January 2nd, at 4 PM ET.

This gathering will precede our annual dedication as we commit the year 2026 to Jesus. I encourage everyone to join us as we prepare our hearts for next year to be a transformative experience.

Love you all. God bless.

Hello, dear friend! Welcome to the Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. As we prepare for the joyous celebration of Jesus' birth, let us gather together in anticipation of the renewed hope, love, joy, and peace that this season brings—both for Christmas and in the days to come.

Let us pray: Holy Father, we gather to prepare for the miraculous gift of Jesus, our Savior. We turn to you with hearts full of gratitude and awe.

Your Word in Luke 2:11 reminds us that in the town of David, a Savior was born—He is Christ the Lord. This incredible gift truly brings hope to a world in need.

As we reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth, help us to understand the depth of the love, joy, and peace he brings to our lives and to humanity.

Let this season remind us that in him, we find our true purpose and identity.

Lord, fill us with a newfound hope that empowers us to share the message of Christ's love with those around us.

May our hearts overflow with joy as we celebrate together, and may that joy spark kindness and generosity in our actions.

As we participate in the festivities of Christmas, help us to embrace the spirit of this season, recognizing that it is in giving and serving others that we truly honor the gift of Christ.

Thank you for the hope that came down on this holy night. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Hello, dear friend! Welcome to the Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Today, we come together to celebrate the profound gift of the birth of Jesus.

As we reflect on the significance of this season, let us embrace the love and presence of God, united in our anticipation of the ultimate gift that brings hope, joy, and transformation to our lives.

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, as we gather on this precious Day 24 of Advent, we pause to reflect on the miraculous gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.

With hearts brimming with gratitude, we celebrate the greatest day in history—the day you fulfilled your promises and sent us the ultimate gift in the form of a humble baby.

Lord, help us to embody the spirit of anticipation as we draw near to the birth of Christ, Emmanuel—God with us.

In this season, we ask for your peace to fill our hearts, reminding us of that starry night in Bethlehem, when hope entered our world.

As the shepherds encountered your glory, grant us a childlike wonder and a deep sense of joy amid our holiday distractions.

Teach us to clear our minds and hearts, preparing us to receive the fullness of your presence.

May we embody humility, embracing the simplicity of your birth.

Let us live in the light of Christ, spreading your love and grace to those around us. Amen.

Dear Beloved in Christ,

This Christmas week, let us reflect on Mary's remarkable faith. Picture her—a young teenager, visited by an angel, told she would give birth to the Messiah. In nature, it seemed impossible. She could have let fear or doubt take hold, but instead she asked, “How can this be?”

The angel replied, “The Spirit of God will come on you.” Despite uncertainty, Mary humbly responded, “Let it be to me according to your word.” She chose to trust God’s promise, even when it didn’t make sense.

Just like Mary, there will be moments in our workplaces and lives when God’s promises seem out of reach. The odds may feel stacked against you.

You may hear doubts: “There’s no way. Don’t get your hopes up. You can’t get well. You’ll never get that job. The debt will never be paid. That deal will never come through. Your child will never turn around.”

But remember, our God is the God of the impossible, and He delights in doing what has never been done before.

Brothers and sisters, let’s rise in faith together.

Like Mary, declare, “Lord, I receive what You have promised.”

With God, nothing is impossible. No workplace challenge, no family struggle, no relationship difficulty is too great for our God. Let faith arise in your heart this Christmas season.

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name, we thank you for being present with us in every challenge, especially when things seem impossible. This Christmas week, we invite you into our workplaces, our families, and all our relationships.

Like Mary, we choose to believe that nothing is impossible with you. Even when the odds are against us, we stand on your promises of a future and a hope, and receive your favor, abundance, and peace.

Let hope arise in our hearts, and let it be to us according to your word. Amen.

Hello, dear friend! Welcome to the Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat.

Today, we gather with the global community of believers as we prepare our hearts for worship, approaching the birth of Christ with thanksgiving and praise.

Let us pray: Lord of Lords, King of Kings, we approach the final days before Christmas with hearts overflowing in worship as encouraged by Psalm 100:2, where we are called to "serve the Lord with gladness."

We take this time to reflect on all the blessings you have bestowed upon us during this sacred season.

Help us to set aside the busyness and distractions that can sometimes cloud our focus. Instead, may we cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing the beauty of your love revealed in the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.

As we prepare to celebrate your birth, let our worship resonate with joy and appreciation for the miracle of your incarnation.

Lord, ignite within us a joyful anticipation that deepens our experience of this season.

Let every song we sing and every prayer we offer be an expression of our love for you and a celebration of the hope that Christ brings to the world.

As we gather with loved ones, may our hearts be united in worship, reflecting the light of your love to those around us.

Thank you for this time we have to prepare for the coming of our King.

Amen.

Hello, dear friend! Welcome to the Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat.

Today, we gather in the warmth of the global community and the light of Christ, turning our hearts toward the profound mystery of the Incarnation.

As we engage in prayerful reflection, we embark on a journey toward a deeper understanding of our faith.

Let us pray: God of Heaven and Earth, we marvel at the wonder of the Incarnation, as declared in John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."

We stand in awe that you, the Creator of the cosmos, chose to enter our world as a humble child. This act of divine love illuminates our lives and fills our hearts with hope.

Help us delve into the transformative power of Christ's incarnation.

Grant us wisdom and revelation, O God, so we might grasp the depth of Your love.

As Jesus embraced our joys and sorrows, remind us that we are never alone in our struggles, encouraging us to draw nearer to you.

Lord, deepen our love for Christ as we reflect on His life, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice.

In this sacred season, cultivate a richer understanding of the mystery of faith within us, inspiring us to share this love with others.

Let us joyfully celebrate the birth of our Savior, shining the hope of the Incarnation into a world longing for grace.

Thank you for being Immanuel—God with us—now and always.

Amen.

Hello, my dear friend! I am so thrilled to welcome you to the Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat! As we come together in joyful anticipation of Jesus' arrival, let’s take a moment to reflect on our calling to be Christ’s light in this world.

By leaning on His heart, we’ll gain His divine perspective and understand the thoughts, words, and feelings that He has for us.

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, on this day, we come together with grateful hearts to recognize the powerful truth that Jesus is the Light of the World, just as it says in John 8:12.

Lord, we acknowledge that you are the light that dispels our darkness and illuminates our paths even in the most trying times.

Right now, we invite you into our hearts. Let your radiant presence shine in every corner of our lives, especially those places where we feel lost or confused.

Help us to embrace the strength and assurance that comes from knowing you are with us, guiding us through uncertainty and doubt.

As we seek your wisdom, may we find clarity on our choices and direction in our lives.

Let your light open our eyes to the truth and help us discern your perfect will for us.

Lord, as we reflect on your brilliance, may we be inspired to let our light shine brightly for others, spreading your love, hope, and grace in a world that often feels heavy and dark.

Teach us to be vessels of your warmth and encouragement, bringing comfort to those who are struggling around us.

We thank you, Lord, for the unwavering brilliance of your love, a reminder that we are never alone, even in life’s toughest challenges.

May your light transform us and guide us, not just through this Advent season, but in every moment to come. Amen.

Hello Friend. Awakening of the Heart Advent Retreat. Our theme in prayer today is expressing God’s love through our faith and actions that heal and strengthen community bonds.

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, on this twentieth day of Advent, we come before you with hearts dedicated to showing love to others.

Your Word in 1 John 4:19 reminds us that we love because you first loved us.

As we reflect on your boundless love, help us embody it in our actions and words, fulfilling our calling to love one another genuinely.

Lord, open our eyes to the needs of those around us, whether they be family, friends, or strangers.

Help us to act with kindness and generosity, allowing your love to shine through us.

May our words uplift, encourage, and bring healing to those who are struggling, fostering an environment where love is genuinely shared.

As we embrace this season of giving, remind us that love is not just a feeling but an active choice we make each day.

Strengthen our community bonds as we come together in service and support, experiencing the joy of both giving and receiving love.

Thank you for the incredible gift of relationships and the opportunity to connect deeply with others.

May this Advent season inspire us to love more fully, reflecting your light into the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.