Advent began with Zechariah in the Temple when Gabriel announced to him the conception of John the Baptist. Once again we are in the Temple with another aged man and woman who have been waiting and praying for salvation for God’s people—Simeon and Anna. Mary and Joseph arrive to fulfill the requirements of the law, yet the Holy Spirit does the filling; three times the Spirit is referenced in verses 25 to 27.

Even as Zechariah’s hymn, the Benedictus has been the centuries-old conclusion to the Church’s Morning Prayer, so is Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis the Church’s Night Prayer. It is a brief hymn, easy to memorize, so appropriate to pray as each day closes, especially this week after Christmas and the Epiphany season coming.

As Simeon, take the Child into your arms and ask the Spirit to tell you how the salvation of the Lord was at work for you this day.

Luke 2:21–40

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Examples:

Now Master, your servant—peace v. 29

Eyes seeing Your salvation v. 30

Sword piercing inmost being v. 35

Being filled with Your wisdom v. 40

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Hesuchia is a lovely Greek word used only eleven times in the New Testament, here translated as “quiet spirit.” Literally, it means, “holding one’s seat.” Instead of being shaken from physical or inner space by the demands and expectations of others, remain in quietness until the Lord lets you know how and when and where to respond. Hesuchia suggests going beyond the reactions to which we often yield, to the place where true spontaneity is born.

In terms of family relations, hesuchia is the eye of the hurricane, The silence of a faithful wife has power in winning over a husband without a word.

The entire passage breathes tranquility, yet energy, as well. Submission does not mean being degraded or disrespected. Neither does it mean being defensive about oneself in a prideful way. Wait. Yield. Be quiet. Soak your soul in the passage.

1 Peter 3:1–12
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Examples:

Reverence and holiness v. 2

Beauty flowing from within v. 4

A quiet, gentle spirit v. 4

A good conscience before You v. 21

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

For a video meditation on Psalm 99, tap here.

Let us be lifted up to the heavens to gain a perspective on the whole world. This is where the psalmist places himself as he composes this psalm. It is a song for worshipping the Lord on the Sabbath—the day of rest, the day of the Lord, the day to place all earthly works into the light of heaven.

When we are forgetful of the mighty, yet loving place that the Lord has over us, then preoccupation with the smallness of our world begins to bind with worry and anxiety. Lift your eyes to heavenly places where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and worship the Lord with abandon and joy. Heaven is not a far off, distant place; it is a spiritual reality where you can be whenever you give yourself in love and worship to the Lord.

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Examples:

Gratefulness pervading me v. 3

Loving justice and fairness v. 4

Magnify the Lord, our God! v. 5

Thank you, Lord, for forgiveness v. 8

Psalm 99

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information