Today is January 9, I’m Nick and it is a pleasure to be here with you today.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm:
Slow down…
Read…
Notice…
Reread…
Meditate…
Respond…
and Exercise, take a small step to live out what we’ve heard.
It’s a moment to pause, breathe, and meet Jesus in His Word — so He can shape our hearts and guide our day.
Let’s begin.
Slow Down
Life is full of moments for us to use or waste and we get to choose what to do with the moments we have been given. You are here now with Jesus, so, 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: “Glory to God.”
As you exhale, pray: “In the highest.”
Do this three times. Ask God to speak, then sit in silence for a few moments.
When you are ready, begin to read.
Read
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
(Luke 2:8-20, NLT)
Notice
What are you hearing from God? What stands out to you in this passage? Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention? Write it down in your journal or here.
Reread
Now read the passage again slowly, being mindful of what God is wanting you to hear from Him.
Meditate
Close your eyes and picture the shepherd’s faces. Can you see the fear on their faces when the angels light up the sky? Can you see the anticipation on their faces as they race to Bethlehem? Can you see the joy as they encounter the Messiah in the manger? Can you see the astonishment of the people that they tell?
Take a few moments to reflect on this truth: Overwhelming joy is found in the Messiah in the manger.
Respond
God, thank you for announcing the birth of your son to ordinary people who went and told a bunch of other ordinary people. Thank you for letting this ordinary person meet with you today…
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: Tell the Story
The shepherds had to tell anyone that they came in contact with about the things that they saw with their eyes and heard with their ears. All it those who heard the story were astonished. Take a few minutes today and tell someone the story of Jesus’ impact on your life and let them be astonished by Him. Don’t overthink it, just tell your story and let God do the rest.
Share Jesus’ impact on your life by telling your story.
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard… and live it.
Whether it’s a prayer in the moment, a smile to light someone’s world, or a helping hand —
let God’s Word shape your steps.
Remember, discipleship isn’t just something we learn…
it’s something we live.
Until next time,
keep slowing down,
keep listening,
and keep walking with Jesus.