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Show Notes:
Gentle Pathways: Life Itself Revealed
Church Season:
Christmas Season
Colour: White
Lectionary Day: St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
This week’s Collect:
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen
Lectionary Readings:
Passage:
1 John 1:1-2 (NLT) “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him.”
Reflection Theme:
This devotional explores John’s testimony to the physical reality of incarnation—the eternal Word became touchable, and Life itself was revealed in human form.
Journaling Questions:
What would change if you approached Jesus as “Life itself” rather than just a teacher or moral example?
How does the physical reality of the incarnation—that Jesus was heard, seen, touched—impact your faith?
Where in your life right now do you most need to encounter the “Life” that John describes?
Collect of Grace:
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
🌸 If today’s devotional blessed you, consider sharing this episode with a friend or family member who might also need a moment of quiet connection with God today. 🌸
🕊️ The Sacred Pause: A 5-Day Audio Retreat Before the world starts shouting ‘New Year, New You,’ give yourself permission to simply rest. Join me for ‘The Sacred Pause,’ a $9 audio retreat to help you enter 2026 with peace instead of pressure—link in the notes.
Hi, I’m Darlene Hull, a Certified Mental Health, Human Flourishing, and Insight Coach specializing in trauma, recovery, and resilience, who guides Christian women to structural peace. Drawing on years of contemplative practice, spiritual direction, and the rich heritage of Celtic Christian wisdom, Darlene’s focus is simple: dismantling the exhaustion of spiritual performance and leading clients into the stable rest (Menuchah) secured by Christ’s finished work.
Darlene is a partner in the Order of Imago Christi and a vowed member of the Order of the Mustard Seed (OMS). She works as a Spiritual Formation Coach and Christian Life Coach from her home in Calgary, Alberta.
When not writing or coaching, Darlene rounds out her life with long walks, voracious reading, endless cups of strong tea, and a ridiculous amount of laughter.
Cover Photo: Taran Hull
Photo by Lisá Yakurím on Pexels
Background music: Shakib Hasan (Pixabay Music Attribution)
All Biblical quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
