1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:10,400 Speaker 2: You're listening to every Day Prayers with Million Praying Moms, 3 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:13,640 Speaker 2: where we're dedicated to helping moms pray God's word for 4 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 2: their families in the areas they need it most. I'm 5 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:20,919 Speaker 2: your host, Nicolette Belle. Over the last decade, we've helped 6 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,280 Speaker 2: thousands of moms make prayer a priority for their families. 7 00:00:24,840 --> 00:00:27,960 Speaker 2: Our mission is to help you do the same. Prayer 8 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 2: is not a last resort. It's our first and best 9 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:35,159 Speaker 2: response to the challenges of parenting, a partnership for the 10 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 2: hearts of our children that God invites us into. After 11 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:46,160 Speaker 2: our word from our sponsors, we'll pray together for our children. Hey, friends, 12 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 2: welcome back to the Everyday Prayers Podcast with Million Praying Moms. 13 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,880 Speaker 2: I'm your host, Nicolette Bell and today is Share the 14 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 2: Light Friday. We are glad that you have joined us 15 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 2: on this Christmas season as we are just inching closer 16 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 2: and closer to Christmas, and I'm excited Stacy Thacker is 17 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 2: joining us today. Stacy, Welcome Mary Christmas. 18 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: Nicolette. We're getting so close to the big day. I 19 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: hope you're ready. I hope you're ready. 20 00:01:11,480 --> 00:01:14,520 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, as ready as we can be. 21 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: Right writing always matter, the things that matter. Yeah, yes, podcast, 22 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: Yes we are. So we're excited to once again just 23 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 1: talk about the everyday ways we can share Christmas, specifically 24 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:29,960 Speaker 1: how we're sharing the light in our communities and our 25 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: families and just with what God is doing in our lives. 26 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: I love this conversation. Thanks for letting me be part 27 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 1: of it. 28 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:37,800 Speaker 2: We're so grateful for the gift You've given all of 29 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 2: us this Christmas season in the new book in our 30 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 2: Everyday Prayers series, Every Day Prayers for Christmas, and we've 31 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: been reading all month long. It's not too late to 32 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 2: grab your copy. And it also makes great gifts, So 33 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 2: if you have any last minute things you're needing to grab, 34 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 2: this would be a great gift to give somebody. They 35 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 2: can tuck it away and enjoy it in the next year. 36 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 2: So Stacy this on Fridays, we've been going through our 37 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 2: listener responses to ways that they are sharing the light 38 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 2: of Christ in their communities and sharing that with their 39 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:14,920 Speaker 2: kids as an encouragement to us to do that where 40 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 2: we find ourselves this Christmas season. And so today I 41 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 2: want to share a story from Robin. Hey, Robin, one 42 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 2: of our listeners. Yeah, Robin, thanks for sharing with us. 43 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: She talks about that they incorporate with her family, sharing 44 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: a meal with folks that we are led to bless 45 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 2: and give the Gospel to, sometimes the homeless, sometimes the veterans, 46 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 2: sometimes the medically fragile, whomever is struggling and needs hope. 47 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 2: And I love that so much because I think it 48 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 2: was just a reminder of like having our eyes open 49 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 2: at Christmas and really looking for the needs around us. 50 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:56,080 Speaker 2: And the second question we asked was how have you 51 00:02:56,120 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 2: seen this practice impact your children? And Robin writes that 52 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,920 Speaker 2: they are compelled to give in share. 53 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,799 Speaker 1: Christ's That's beautiful, Robin, And food is such a beautiful picture, 54 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:09,920 Speaker 1: just like the light is a beautiful picture of Jesus 55 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: sharing food with something that Jesus did consistently in his 56 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: ministry here on earth, and food is always represented, you know, 57 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: it can represent the gospel as well as we think 58 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: about how Jesus fed the five thousand, and he blessed 59 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 1: people and he broke bread like it's such a it's 60 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: such an important part. And I think it's a simple way, 61 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 1: a really personal way to encourage people with right where 62 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:33,519 Speaker 1: they're where their need is. I love this Robin. 63 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that what you said I believe last 64 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 2: episode Stacy, is that people are more open to the 65 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 2: Gospel around Christmas. And I have certainly found that to 66 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: be true in my experience. And so, you know, in 67 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 2: sharing a meal, in sharing food, it is a way 68 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: to open the door to the conversation. And like you said, 69 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,800 Speaker 2: Jesus modeled that for us. He met physical needs to 70 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 2: be able to always dig down deeper into the spiritual 71 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 2: need that was there and to open up the conversation 72 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: with people. And so I think, you know, modeling that 73 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 2: for our children is such a great thing. And also 74 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 2: just that it's a command that we have from Christ, 75 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 2: right like to feed the hungry, into care for the orphans, 76 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 2: and to care for those who are struggling. And so 77 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: modeling that for our kids is like the greatest Christmas 78 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: gift we can give them. 79 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, it reminds me too of something that our 80 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 1: family has done. We celebrate Advent throughout the month of December. 81 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 1: I'm going to know you said that your family did 82 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 1: that as well, Nicolete We started doing this when we 83 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: moved to Florida about twenty three years ago. It was 84 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 1: a new family tradition. 85 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 2: For us. 86 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: I had not grown up in a faith that had 87 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: really encouraged the Advent liturgical calendar. But I found it 88 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 1: out about it in a magazine, which was crazy. Just 89 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: thought it was such a sweet tradition, and so I 90 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 1: wanted a new tradition for my family. So if you 91 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 1: haven't started a tradition, you can start one today. And 92 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter that we're almost through the month of December. 93 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 1: You can start today. It's so fun. So we started 94 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: that lighting candles every Sunday during the month of December 95 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 1: between well the sundays between November between Thanksgiving and Christmas 96 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:14,799 Speaker 1: are the Sundays of Advent, but then also Christmas Eve 97 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,599 Speaker 1: is included when you light the final candle, which is 98 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 1: the christ candle. And what my family has done typically 99 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: is that on those Sundays we give our girls small 100 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 1: gifts and they're usually gifts that we would probably give 101 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: them anyway. We would give them Christmas pj's or Christmas 102 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 1: shirt or Christmas mug or something to help celebrate the season. 103 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,720 Speaker 1: Something sweet. Sometimes we would do treats. Sometimes we would 104 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: do an experience. I think last year we went to 105 00:05:37,839 --> 00:05:40,480 Speaker 1: a concert. Like we just do different things with our girls, 106 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 1: but Christmas Eve is different, and Christmas Eve, my girls 107 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: don't get gifts. They each pick. Sometimes we combine this, 108 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: but the ideas that each of them will pick a 109 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: gift to give Jesus for his birthday. And so Christmas 110 00:05:54,640 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 1: Eve everybody. Now, when they were little, I would give 111 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:00,359 Speaker 1: them each like twenty or thirty dollars. It can be 112 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 1: whatever price you want to set, but I would give 113 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: them the money, and I would say, what gift do 114 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: you want to give for Jesus on his birthday? And 115 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:09,960 Speaker 1: this needed to be something that was that would bless 116 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: someone else, because we don't necessarily need to give Jesus 117 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: a present, but give something in his name. And so 118 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 1: we have done everything from buy water for a well, 119 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: we have opened the Samaritans pers catalog and picked out 120 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,960 Speaker 1: so many different options. We've sent gifts to kids that 121 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: we were sponsoring. One year, my little girl, all she 122 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:33,919 Speaker 1: wanted to do was put all thirty dollars in the 123 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: offering plate on Christmas Eve. She just thought that was 124 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:38,279 Speaker 1: so fun because we took a special offer and she's like, 125 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: I want to put my money in the plate. I 126 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:45,279 Speaker 1: said absolutely. And then one year my daughter had started 127 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,919 Speaker 1: because they knew we did this, had started chattering about 128 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 1: it early on in December, and she kept telling me, Mom, 129 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: I want to buy chickens for someone in Borneo. And 130 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: I was like, okay, honey, like, how are we going 131 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,080 Speaker 1: to do that? I have no idea where this idea 132 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:01,279 Speaker 1: came from? And she made up a little song. It 133 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 1: was a whole thing. Well, I had a friend who 134 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: was a missionary in that part of the world, and 135 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,560 Speaker 1: I thought, well, maybe she knows somebody in Borneo. So 136 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 1: I emailed her and as it turned out, she literally 137 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: lived in Borneo. I kid you not. I had no 138 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: clue because it's one of those things like she didn't 139 00:07:15,480 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 1: like tell us like exactly where she was. She's like, well, actually, 140 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:19,520 Speaker 1: I live in Bornie. And I said, well, do you 141 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 1: know anyone who might want some chickens in Borneo? I mean, y'all, 142 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: this is a true story. And she said, we'll let 143 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 1: me check. And she came back to me. She's like, 144 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: you're not going to believe this, Okay, y'all need to know. 145 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 1: My daughter was like six at the time. She's like, 146 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 1: there's a woman in our village who had chickens, but 147 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:41,160 Speaker 1: someone stole them, and so your gift would enable her 148 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: I'm not even kidding, enable her to start her business again. 149 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 1: Like you send the money, We'll make sure the chickens 150 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 1: are bought and she will be able to support her 151 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 1: family the chickens. And so we did that, and so 152 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: that has stood out to me as such a precious 153 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: memory because we had started that early with our kids, 154 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: to say, hey, how can you give something in Jesus name? 155 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 1: And so on Christmas Eve we go around and we say, hey, 156 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: what was your gift for Jesus? And we talk about it. 157 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 1: And there have been years where we've combined our gifts 158 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 1: and there was like a family that had some things 159 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 1: stolen and we gave them a gift that they could 160 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: use to buy Christmas presents for their family. I mean, 161 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 1: it's not hard, it's very simple, and it just becomes 162 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: away for us. And then we have a Birthday cake 163 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: for Jesus. So that's what we do on Christmas Eve 164 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: when we light that final christ candle, as we end 165 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: the season giving a gift in his name. And just 166 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 1: like Robin, it has even as you said before, Nicolae, 167 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 1: it has opened my girls eyes to see the needs 168 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: around them and how they even at a young age 169 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:41,319 Speaker 1: can participate in sharing the light of Christ wherever they go. 170 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: That is so beautiful. I love that, and I love 171 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,920 Speaker 2: that you kind of start with, you know, you giving 172 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 2: gifts to them on the Sundays. That's like that generosity 173 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 2: and modeling that generosity and then encouraging that to be 174 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 2: shared is such a really beautiful way to think about 175 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 2: that and to do that. So thank you for sharing that, Stacy. 176 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 2: I think that's going to encourage a lot of people. 177 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 2: These Share the Light stories have been so much fun 178 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 2: this season, and we have just enjoyed hearing it. We'd 179 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 2: still love to hear if you are starting something, like 180 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: Stacy said, start something today, let us know it is 181 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 2: God giving you an idea something that you are doing 182 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: with your family. We'd love to hear about it, and 183 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 2: we'd love to share it because we are all learning 184 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 2: and growing together in how to pray for our children 185 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 2: and also to encourage our children in their walk with 186 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 2: Christ and sharing His light with those around them. Stacy, 187 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: I think you have a prayer that you want to 188 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 2: share with us as we close today. 189 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: I would love too, Let's pray, friends, Father, thank you 190 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,760 Speaker 1: for the reminder that as your followers, we are not 191 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: to live hidden lives. Weird to shine because of our 192 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: relationship with your son. The light of the world remind 193 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 1: us that it is virtually impossible for a city set 194 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:59,199 Speaker 1: on a hill to remain hidden. May we grasp our 195 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 1: purpose today with newfound commitment to shine brightly for you 196 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:04,840 Speaker 1: in Jesus' name. Amen. 197 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 2: I hope you're enjoying reading along with us this month 198 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 2: in our new book, Every Day Prayers for Christmas. Grab 199 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 2: your copy in a few for gifts wherever books are sold. 200 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 2: If you love the Everyday Prayers podcast, consider joining our 201 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 2: community with a ten dollar monthly donation through Patreon. When 202 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 2: you join, you automatically receive a new downloadable, scripture inspired 203 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 2: prayer calendar every month, plus the devotions and prayers from 204 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 2: this month in written form, along with an invitation to 205 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 2: our monthly live mom chat. Learn more in today's show 206 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 2: notes or at Million Prayingmoms dot com. Until next time, friends, 207 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 2: the Lord bless you and keep you. Make his face 208 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,960 Speaker 2: shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the 209 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 2: Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.