Let’s begin this Christmas season by becoming quiet. Forget the busyness, the shopping and the joyful gatherings.

We will dedicate the first fifteen minutes of everyday to the Lord, Who’s birth we celebrate.

Shut out all the noise, not only the chattering, radio and television, but all the noise that goes on in our heads. Don’t list your goals for the day or plan what to have for dinner when Aunt Mildred arrives and I won’t plan the grandchildren’s Christmas gifts or worry about paying the bills.

We’ll spend fifteen minutes sitting at Jesus’ feet paying full attention to what He has to say. We will imagine ourselves in a home in Bethany, 2000 years ago. Just like Martha’s sister Mary, we will choose the better thing. Luke 38-42

In order to get my quiet time, I have to wake up early - before anyone else and before the television gets turned on. Sometimes I begin by reading from a devotional or directly from God’s word to me - the Bible. I often have to start by asking Him to quiet the noise in my mind so that I can hear what He has to say.

This is the very best time of my day and will fuel the next 23 hours if necessary.
After developing the habit of daily quiet time, you will receive an unexepected gift. I think you will find that Jesus is walking with you throughout the entire day.

There is a story in 1 Kings 19.
The prophet Elijah was told to stand on the mountain and that God would pass by. As he stood there, a hurricane force wind ripped through the mountains, but God was not in the wind. Next, an earthquake shook the ground, but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but God was not in the fire. And after the fire, there came a gentle, quiet whisper and God spoke to him.

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Daily Guideposts 2005 at Amazon.com