Praying through Advent: Imagining the Nativity

Last updated on: December 24, 2014 at 1:57 am by Teresa Blythe

Praying through Advent: Imagining the Nativity 2014-12-19T10:45:21-08:00 Teresa Blythe

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This is the final day of Advent. Tonight is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas. We conclude our Advent prayer series right where we began—Praying the Nativity. In today’s imagination prayer, we find ourselves spending time with Mary, the new mother.

Mary is sometimes known as Theotokos, a Greek word meaning “God-bearer.” Each of us helps create and re-create God’s desire in the world, so we are all, in a sense, God-bearers. In this prayer, feel what it is like to be known and loved as a bearer of God.

The Practice

Begin by turning your attention to the presence of God in prayer. Ask for the awareness of how God interacts with your imagination.
Read the selected portion of Luke’s birth narrative below. In this portion of the narrative, the baby is born, the shepherds have gone and Mary has time to reflect on all that has happened.

Luke 2:19-20

Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Imagine all the shepherds have gone but you have been invited to stay for awhile with Mary, Joseph and Jesus. You recognize that Mary may need some time to herself, so you remain silent just outside the door of the stable where you can see Mary but you are not intruding. While she ponders, you reflect as well. What words from the Nativity scenes do you treasure most? What will you hold in your heart?
When the time is right, enter the stable and talk with Mary. Ask her what she treasures most. When she ponders the birth of her first child, what does she want to remember? What has been the most exhilarating moment of this whole journey for her? Have a conversation with Joseph as well. You may also want to talk to the baby Jesus.
Have a conversation with Mary, Joseph or the baby about anything on your heart.
Gaze on Mary as she cares for her baby. Allow the image to draw you deeper into relationship with God.
When you are ready, say goodbye to Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Say a prayer of gratitude for this imagination prayer experience.

For more about spiritual direction as I practice it, check out my website. Most of these prayer practices come from my book 50 Ways to Pray. If interested, it can be purchased here.

Previous Post

December 23, 2014

Praying through Advent: Lectio Divina on Matthew's Nativity

Next Post

January 2, 2015 Spiritual Direction in the New Year

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent angels Anne Lamott Christmas church leadership clergy contemplation contemplative Christianity Desert Fathers and Mothers discernment election evangelicalism faith freedom guru healing interfaith dialogue Lent love Martin Luther King Jr media mind body spirit mystic Nativity nature new year's resolutions parables peace pluralism prayer prayer practices religious diversity resurrection Rules for Prayer Rumi saints sexual abuse spirit spiritual direction spiritual discernment spiritual mentor spiritual path spirituality stewardship Super Bowl terrorism theology transgender Uncategorized violence visioning vocation

Select a Month February 2026 December 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 February 2024 December 2023 July 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 September 2022 August 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 October 2021 September 2021 July 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz