Lectio Divina is a way of praying with Scripture. It has four steps: Reading, Meditating, Praying, and Contemplating.
1. Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage slowly, out loud if you can. Let the words sink in. Don't rush.
Read it a second time, perhaps even a third. As you read, pay attention to any words, phrases, or images that particularly catch your attention or seem to stand out to you. Don't analyze them yet, just notice them.
What words or phrases stand out to you in this passage today?
2. Meditatio (Meditation)
Now, take the words or phrases that stood out to you and think deeply about them. What do they mean in this story? What might God be trying to say to you through them?
Imagine yourself in the story.
What might it have been like for Mary and Joseph, on that long journey, with no proper place to stay when the baby arrived?
Imagine being one of the shepherds. What would you have felt when the angel appeared, and then the whole heavenly host? What did that light and singing sound like?
Think about the "good news" the angel announced: "a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." What does that mean for you?
Consider Mary's response to everything. The text says, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." What might she have been thinking and feeling?
What insights are coming to your heart and mind as you reflect on this passage? How does this story connect with your own life or feelings right now?
3. Oratio (Prayer)
Respond to God from your heart. This is your conversation with God, based on your reading and meditation.
You might want to offer thanks for the "good news."
You might ask for help to welcome Jesus, the Savior, into your own life or heart more fully.
Perhaps you feel awe like the shepherds, or humility like Mary. Express those feelings to God.
What do you want to say to God after spending time with this Scripture?
4. Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Rest quietly in God's presence. Let go of words and thoughts. Simply "be" with God.
Allow yourself to experience God's love, peace, or presence that may have emerged during your prayer.
Don't try to make anything happen. Just remain open and receptive to whatever God wants to share in this quiet space.
Take a few moments of silent stillness. If a particular image or feeling remains with you, simply rest in it.
Before you finish, take a moment to recall the word or phrase that most resonated with you. Carry it with you throughout your day, letting it continue to guide and nourish you.
Directions: Apply the 4 steps of Lectio Divina to the Gospel below
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.