Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it is fabulous to be here with you today. It is January 12.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.
Slow Down
You are stepping into a sacred space with the intent of meeting Jesus.
He wants to meet with you and spend time with you.
Take this moment to slow down, quiet your mind, and prepare your heart to connect with Him.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it. Repeat this three times.
As you inhale, whisper in your heart: “The Word of God.”
As you exhale, pray: “Will never fail.”
Do this three times, then sit in silence for a few moments.
Read
After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”
16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A cry was heard in Ramah—
weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
refusing to be comforted,
for they are dead.” (Matthew 2:13–18, NLT)
Notice
What stands out to you in this passage? Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention? Hold it in your heart for a moment.
Reread
As we read the passage again, close your eyes and step into the scene. Pay attention to your emotions as the events unfold.
Meditate
Name the emotions that stirred within you as you heard this passage.
How did God’s protection of Jesus make you feel?
How did the brutality of Herod touch your heart?
Could you feel the pain experienced by the parents in Bethlehem?
What emotions rise when you hear that this brutality fulfilled prophecy?
Sit with these emotions for a moment, keeping this thought in mind:
God keeps His word in ways that are hard to understand.
Respond
Thank God for the story surrounding the birth of Jesus, and for His faithfulness to keep His promises — even in ways we cannot fully grasp.
Exercise
The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Backup Listener
Listening to others has become a lost art. We are so distracted and used to multitasking that we don’t allow ourselves to be fully present in our conversations.
One way we can serve others is by truly listening — giving them the gift of our full attention.
Today’s step: Be fully present in one conversation.
Put away distractions. Make eye contact.
Hear not only the words, but the heart behind them.
Give someone the gift of being truly heard today.
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today. Now, take what you’ve heard… and live it. Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.