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Show Notes:
Gentle Pathways: Mary Kept These Things
Church Season:
Christmas Season
Colour: White
Lectionary Day: St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
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:
Luke 2:19 (NLT) “But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”
Reflection Theme:
This devotional explores Mary’s contemplative posture after Christmas—not rushing to explain or perform, but keeping wonder in her heart and pondering it often.
Journaling Questions:
What “things” from this Christmas season need to be kept in your heart rather than immediately processed or explained?
How might “pondering often” as a regular practice change your spiritual life?
Where is God inviting you to sit with mystery rather than rush to understanding?
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. 🌼
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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.
