Writing about faith and connection to help ease the ache of loneliness. Subscribe to Drawing Near for weekly(ish) inspiration.
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Drawing Near #52✨
Published 3 months ago • 3 min read
You are reading the 52nd issue of Drawing Near, a newsletter to encourage connection and soften the ache of loneliness. Each week, you'll receive inspiration for connecting with God, yourself, and the people around you. To see previous issues, go to our newsletter page.
It is December! To celebrate the season, I'd like to try something different in your emails this month. Each edition of Drawing Near will feature a theme that relates to the season and Jesus. We'll try it out for a month, then I'd love to hear your feedback!
Today's Theme: Light
Every year, as we say goodbye to one holiday and hello to another, the Christmas lights start going up. Twinkly lights are one of our culture's favorite ways to celebrate the season. When darkness comes earlier and earlier in the day, these lights bring smiles and warmth.
And we know the true light is Jesus. In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Our true light gives us life. Keep reading...
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
🕯️Light a candle or situate yourself by a strand of Christmas lights, then say a prayer thanking God for the light and life that He brings to the world.
Connect with Yourself
✍🏼Take some time to journal using these prompts (or just think on them and invite God in with prayer):
Consider what feels dark in your life right now.
What areas of your life need clarity? Are there hard decisions causing you to feel stuck or like you're going around in circles?
How can God bring light and life to these places?
Invite God to let His light shine on these dark, dead, or confusing spaces in your life.
Connect with Others
💚Think about someone in your life who may feel lost in the darkness, whether it's grief, illness, loss, life transitions, depression, or loneliness. How can you bring a small amount of light into their life? We know that we are not the whole answer to someone's problems, but we can be a tiny glimmering star in a dark sky—though small, still visible.
Here are some ideas to be a light to someone else:
Send a card or a text letting them know you are thinking of them.
Give them a candle.
Invite them to watch It's a Wonderful Life with you.
Say a prayer for them.
Name something specific you could do for them, and ask them if they'd like your help.
✨If you can, include a verse about Jesus being the light along with your offering.
Let More Light In (Extras)
📝Join a "Write Your Grief" journaling workshop with Kristin Vanderlip and "write through the darkness of grief toward the Light." Vanderlip is a compassionate companion in her virtual guided journaling sessions. Her next WYG workshop is December 10th. Learn more here and follow her on Instagram (her art is beautiful).
🎧Listen to Emily P. Freeman's soothing voice in "Light: For Advent." Find out more about The Quiet Collection app here.
🎶 Listen to songs about light (these links will take you to YouTube): "Light of the World" by Lauren Daigle and "A Light" by The Brilliance.
💖Make connection a priority this holiday season with these 30 prompts! Get the PDF. Read the full blog post here.
📲Save your free Merry and Bright phone wallpaper by tapping the photo below. Save the image to your phone, then use as a wallpaper.
Tap the photo!
When you look at Christmas lights this season, may you remember that He is the true light. Whether He is lighting your path or shining holy conviction on darkness in your heart, may you trust in Him.
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