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Quieting Your Heart – Week 2

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Once upon a Christmas time in a small village, there lived an elderly painter named Thaniel. Known for his vibrant and life-affirming paintings, Thaniel spent his days capturing the beauty of the world around him. Despite living a simple life, Thaniel’s heart was rich with gratitude and love, his faith as vivid as the colors on his palette.

One day, a wealthy merchant arrived in the village. Impressed by Thaniel’s work, he offered the painter a substantial sum of money to paint a grand mural in his city home. The merchant’s only request was that the mural should depict the greatest joy in life.

Thaniel, though hesitant to leave the comfort of his village, accepted the offer, drawn by the challenge. In the city, Thaniel struggled to find inspiration. Amidst the hustle and bustle, the essence of true joy seemed elusive. He missed the tranquility of his village, where he felt a profound connection with the simple things in life.

Realizing his need to rekindle inner peace, Thaniel returned to his village for a short break. As he walked through the cobblestone streets lightly dusted with snow, he saw children making snowmen, couples stringing lights, and families sharing meals. He noticed the beautiful way icicles clung to the lamp posts, casting prisms of light in the moonlit sky. He noticed the vibrant life that filled every corner of his home. It was then he realized that joy is found in the quiet whisper of gratitude that stems from within.

The next morning, Thaniel hurried back to the city and began to work on the mural with renewed enthusiasm. When he finally unveiled the finished work, the merchant was stunned. The mural depicted not a single grand scene of joy but a mosaic of small, everyday blessings: a child’s laughter, a shared meal, a quiet evening under the stars. Subtle, yet present in each scene was a gentle ray of light, whether it be a soft glow on a child’s face, a warm luminance over shared bread, or a celestial beam piercing through the night sky, each suggesting the ever-present watchfulness and warmth of God’s love.

Each scene was a snapshot of ordinary life, yet together, they echoed extraordinary joy.

The merchant realized that Thaniel ‘s mural portrayed a powerful truth: the greatest joys in life are not found in grand achievements or possessions but in our ability to recognize and celebrate God’s presence in the simple moments of life.

In the brushstrokes of Thaniel’s mural, we find a reflection of our own lives. Each day is an invitation to paint our days with gratitude. It reminds us that the greatest joys often reside in the quiet, overlooked beauty of God’s divine grace on the canvas of our lives.

This Christmas I invite you to look for and cherish God’s loving presence in the unfolding of  everyday life, in the warmth of community, the laughter of loved ones, and the serene beauty of the changing world around you.

This Week’s Challenge

Look for and cherish God’s loving presence in the unfolding of  everyday life, in the warmth of community, the laughter of loved ones, and the serene beauty of the changing world around you.

This Week’s Bible Verse

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 Week at a Glance

Note: Each day includes a short Bible reading assignment and brief chapter for reflection. If you would like to study any of the chapters deeper, take a look at the study sheet I have created for you. Feel free to answer any or all of the questions. Click here to view and print it.

TUESDAY – DAY 8:

• Light a candle today, and if you have a pink one—even better. The lighting of an Advent candle serves as a visual reminder of the light of Christ that we anticipate and celebrate during this season. (Find out more about the candles here).
• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 8 in your study guide (Matthew 2:1-12). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

WEDNESDAY – DAY 9:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 9 in your study guide (Luke 15). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

THURSDAY – DAY 10:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 10 in your study guide (Acts 8:26-40). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

FRIDAY – DAY 11:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 11 in your study guide (Acts 16:16-40 & Ephesians 1). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

SATURDAY – DAY 12:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 12 in your study guide (Nehemiah 8:1-12). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

SUNDAY – DAY 13:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 13 in your study guide (Luke 1:39-45). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

MONDAY – DAY 14:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 14 in your study guide (2 Samuel 6:6-23). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

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