Hello, .

It's December first, and time to start putting action to your design.

Cetelia wrote great recap of this week's devotions, and added a discipleship piece to it:

Embrace the fact that this is the Christmas season and choose to design this season. Grow as a disciple this season. What does that look like? Being intentional in asking God for wisdom on what you should and should not attend. Asking God to guide you on what to say or not to say during the family Christmas gatherings. Focus on growing as a disciple as you navigate the holiday season. Include God in your gift giving decisions. If you choose to attend/not attend or participate/not participate in something because it doesn’t fit in the design for your December, use love and kindness in letting others know. You’re not trying to make enemies. Rather you are being intentional with your time, energy, and money.

Good wisdom by Sweet Cetelia.

One final warning: beware defending unwise decisions due to fear, pressure, competition, or tradition.

If doing, attending, or buying something doesn't fit your designed December, beware going forward anyway, then defending your decision. This is where sharing your plans with others, and/or asking them to weigh in is helpful.

The wisdom books tell us two are better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10), and we all appear to be correct in our judgment until our neighbor cross-examines us (Proverbs 18:17).

Remember, you can't see the back of your head, so it's good to have others nearby to help you get a full picture of what you're dealing with.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, in this Christmas season, guide me as I intentionally design my December. Grant me the wisdom to discern what aligns with my purpose as your disciple. May my choices in attending events, participating in traditions, and giving gifts reflect your love and kindness. Guard me against unwise decisions driven by fear, pressure, competition, or tradition. I commit my December to you knowing you'll establish my plans (Proverbs 16:3). Amen.

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Reflection

1. How can you incorporate love and kindness into your interactions during family Christmas gatherings, aligning your actions with your designed

December? 

2. Reflect on the warning about defending unwise decisions. Are there areas in your life where you've already felt pressured to go against your design for December? How can you seek support and guidance from others in these situations? 

3. Consider the wisdom in seeking advice from others, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 and Proverbs 18:17. Who are the people in your life that you can consult and share your plans with to gain a fuller perspective?

Watch: December By Design

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