December Devotions and Doodles – Day 17 (December 17)
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:36-38
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
December 17 Devotional: Lifestyle of Prayer
Ever met a really special old lady? Like one whose bible is worn and marked from decades of daily use. A woman of faith whose prayers are a direct mainline to God. Anna was one of those really special old ladies. She was a widow who basically lived in the temple, spending all her time in fasting and prayer.
Right Time, Right Place
Anna is in the right place at the right time. She walks up to Simeon, Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus in the temple (See Reading and Devotional from Day 16) right at the moment that Simeon is recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah.
Gratitude
Anna immediately responds with gratitude. She thanks God first. Already in an attitude of prayer because that is what she does all day, her heart overflows with thankfulness.
Thankfulness Leads to Witnessing
As a natural outflow of her thankfulness, Anna begins to tell everyone she meets about the Messiah. She knows all of her friends and family and the others in the temple are looking forward to the Coming One, so she tells all of those waiting the Good News.
Ornaments
I don’t always stay in prayer like Anna. She never forgets to pray for her needs and the needs of others. Sometimes I need little reminders. I thought the doodle from today might help me. I thought I could draw ornaments and make each one a prayer reminder. I could keep them in my Bible or my purse or around the house.
December 17 – Action Step:
Today (December 17), spend a little time in prayer, telling God your needs and the needs of others, thanking Him for His great Gift this season. Let’s be a little more like Anna, living a lifestyle of prayer, full of gratitude, and sharing the news of the Savior.
Prayer:
Dear God, help me to be like Anna, serving God, praying, and thanking Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Drawing Tutorial – December 17: How to draw Christmas Ornaments
- Start with straight lines.
- At the bottom of the lines add a half-circle and a small rectangle with a slightly curved bottom.
- Add circles or inverted teardrop shapes.
- Embellish the ornaments with decorations.
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