As we enter into a new year, let us resolve to be a reflective, rather than a reactive people. #Reflectonthis #DailyReflection https://youtu.be/mhfjMGeGopU

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Scripture Reading: Luke 2:16-21
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection
Let me begin by wishing all of you a very blessed new year. It always feels special, doesn’t it, the sense of refreshing and optimism that a new year brings? The feeling that we can put everything — all our mistakes and foolishness — behind us and look forward to a fresh start. The cynic might say: “What’s the point? We’re gonna make the same mistakes again; we’ll do the same foolish things again!” But let them say whatever they want; I believe that a new year always has new things in store, and I wish them for all of us.

And among the things I wish for is to be less reactive and more reflective. Have you realized that we tend to be a reactive people? When tragedies strike, when circumstances become difficult, when conversations become heated, even when miracles happen, we react rather than reflect There is usually very little to be gained by this; on the contrary reacting often makes a bad situation worse. Being reflective, instead, gives us a chance to examine what has happened and see if there is something to be learned from the situation; something to be gained; something that will help us grow.

We learn how to do this from Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Jesus was born, a group of shepherds were visited by an angel. He said, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). And, then, suddenly there was a multitude of angels who joined him in singing a hymn of worship. The shepherds then went to see this child and when they met Mary they told her what had happened. Scripture says, “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

This is not the only time Mary has been described as treasuring things in her heart. Twelve years later, when the boy Jesus was lost and found in the temple, Scripture again says that “his mother treasured all these things in her heart” (see Luke 2:51). Let us make this one of the resolutions for the year: that we be a people who treasure and ponder things in our hearts. This will make us a wiser, gentler, and kinder people. Consequently, we will make this world a better place for all of us to live in.

Once again, wish you a very blessed year!

A few notes in closing:

Today makes 17 years since we started the HSI ministry. We have reached millions of people all over the world since then through the various things that we do. I thank and praise God for that, and all the people who helped to make this happen.

Today also marks the start of the fourth consecutive year these Daily Reflections have been going out. I have not missed a single day for the past three years, and that fact kinda makes me happy. Again, this would not have been possible without God.

Finally, today also begins my new life as a hermit. There are several reasons why I have made this decision, but the main one is simply this desire to be with God. I will continue to do these reflections, and whatever else I can do from within the confines of my home, but I will not be leaving it again unless I absolutely have to.

I will also have no social interaction with anyone other than my immediate family and those who work with me. I don’t know how long this will be for — I’m getting into this believing it will be forever — but I will let God decide that.
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Today's devotional — Reflective People — is based on Luke 2:16-21, the gospel reading for the day. The reflection is by Aneel Aranha, founder of Holy Spirit Interactive (HSI). Follow him on Facebook: fb.com/aneelaranha

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