Christmastide Retreat: Bethlehem to Egypt to Nazareth
- Co-authored: Karen Shields Wright, Gregory Vigliotta
- Dec 18, 2024
- 17 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Continue along the Way of Mary and Joseph with Christ the King
10-Day Self-Directed or Directed Retreat
Based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
You may contact us for any questions on beginning this retreat, for being accompanied through it, or after for sharing your experience and reflections. Click (>) to open the content.
Preparing for Your Retreat
Review of Retreat Guidelines and Prayers
Links to Ways of Prayer
Night Before Preparations
In preparing for tomorrow’s prayer period: read the next day's meditations for understanding; and "after retiring, just before falling asleep, for the space of a Hail Mary, I will think of the hour when I have to rise, what I am rising, and briefly sum up the exercise I have to go through" (SE 73).*
Read the next day's gospel selections for understanding. If there is more than one reading for the day, consider the one that resonates with you.
Retreat Mornings - Offering, Lectio, Close, Reflection
Each morning consists of the Preparatory, the Exercise (Lectio), Close, and Reflection
1. Preparatory Prayers: See below.
2. Lectio: Imaginative Contemplation Read the mystery slowly and pray attentively using all of your faculties - faith, and feelings - your interior senses, imagination, recall – as you pray with each section.
What do you sense were the experiences of Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, and the crowds? Imagine being present there - what do you see, hear, and smell?Where are you in the scene?
3. Close of the Prayer: Close your prayer time with your own words ( a colloquy), then a vocal formal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, or Glory Be)
4. Reflection: At the end of each prayer period, note down your experiences on what were your insights, feelings, thoughts, images, and memories that came up for you. Sit a while to savor the graces.
Retreat Day Time - Recalling
During the day, let your heart settle within the morning's contemplation
Retreat Evenings - Examen, Journaling
Pray The Examen. Consider the graces from your Morning Prayer time and Day time recalling.
Journaling is recommended after your review in the morning or after your Examen in the evening.
Self-directed or Directed
This self-retreat is designed for those with experience in the ascetical ways of prayer. We recommend, if you are new to mental (discursive or interior) prayer or to Ignatian Retreats, to consider a director to accompany you along with way.
Preparatory Prayers
The Preparatory period is a time for recollection to dispose ourselves rightly to begin with an offertory prayer and a petition for asking for the grace what we desire from the Lord based during upon the meditation exercise.
Offertory Prayer
Beginning your prayer period time, offer yourself to the Lord with St. Ignatius' “Take and Receive” prayer.
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding, and my entire will,
all that I have and possess.
Thou hast given all to me.
To Thee, O Lord, I return it.
All is Thine; dispose of it wholly according to Thy will.
Give me Thy love and Thy grace, for this, is sufficient for me.
Amen
Preparatory Prayer
“The preparatory prayer is to ask God Our Lord for the grace is that all my intentions ( wants and desires), actions, and operations (Interior mental activities), maybe order purely to the service in praise of the Divine Majesty” (SE 46).*
Write in your own words your intentions for this retreat time __________________________________________________________________________________
Petitionary Prayer
Now, being situated within the mystery, after reading it the night before (or before each prayer period begins), we ask for what we desire from the Holy Spirit to reveal to us how we may go forth to meet the will of God.
Share your desires with the Lord for this day's retreat time. Write them down to review during your reflection time. _____________________________________________________________________________
Suggested Petitionary Prayer by St. Ignatius
Lord, grant me the grace of an "intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely." (SE 104)*
Write in your own words your petitionary prayer(s).
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The Journey
In this beautiful liturgical season beginning with the Nativity of the Lord and ending with the Feast of the Epiphany , we also celebrate the Feasts of the Holy Innocents and The Feast of the Holy Family, and Solemnity of the Mother of God.
As we pray daily through these mysteries in this retreat, we find ourselves traveling through time and different places with the Holy Family: first to Bethlehem, then from there they fled to Egypt living as refugees, and when it was safe traveled even further in miles back home to Nazareth.
We are invited to take time to be within each mystery by placing yourself as you are there with them by composing each place while apply all of your interior senses. Ask yourself: Where are you in the scene? How am I here with them? What is God revealing to you in each time and place?
What do you desire to share with them on being there?
You are also invited to enter into and to consider the experiences of all those you come to meet in each of these mysteries. What was it like for them? How did they feel, what were their thoughts? Mary's experience. Joseph's experience. The Shepherds?
Consider what do want to say to Mary? to Joseph? to Jesus as He asks: "Who do you say that I AM?
The Mysteries
The gospels were written as an account of time past so we may know the Good news now and for the future
Day 1: The Nativity. The Light of the World in Peace
Prelude: Read and pray with this mystery as you imagine Mary and Joseph's journey to this point with all their thoughts, worries, and feelings that would come with welcoming their son Jesus. Then be there at the brith. See how Our Lady swaddles her son. Stay with your experiences as you pray a colloquy to Mary and to the baby Jesus.
Meditation: The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) (SE 264)
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So, all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Reflection: What images, thoughts, insights or feelings came up for you as you prayed traveling with Mary and Joseph? How was it for you to seek shelter with them. In applying your senses what it like being there at the birth? Where were you standing? What it is like for you to be invited by Mary to see the baby Jesus for the first time? Spend time with them. What do you want to do for them?
Describe you experience of being with them , and note down the graces have you received.
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Day 2: The Adoration of the Shepherds. I Proclaim to You Good News
Prelude: Imagine the scene. As you pray with this mystery imagine the awe and wonder of the shepherds. Then consider Mary and Joseph as they listened to the shepherds sharing about all the angels and their singing the announcement.
Meditation: Adoration of the Infant Jesus by the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) (SE 265)
“Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told to them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told to them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.”
Reflection: What images, feelings, thoughts, and or insights you received about the shepherds' experiences, and Mary and Joseph reactions in receiving these visitors.
Write down the graces. ____________________________________________________________________________
Repetition: Consider praying with this again as you being one of the shepherds. Apply your senses – sight, sound, touch, smell. What was it like in the fields? How did you respond to the seeing and hearing such news. How was it for you in sharing the vision of the choir of angels with Mary and Joseph?
Reflection: What images, feelings, thoughts and or insights you received in this experience? Write down the graces. ____________________________________________________________________________
Day 3: The Holy Child is Named. The Name Above All Names
Prelude: Imagine being with the Holy Family for their baby's circumcision and naming him. Remember in the annunciation the angel told Mary to name him Jesus. Consider the importance of naming him Jesus (the 'Lord who saves'). Imagine Anne's and Joachim's joy as grandparents and all those who were present in welcoming the child into their family. Did everyone know who Jesus was?
Meditation: Naming of the Holy Child (Luke 2:21) (SE 266)
“When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
Reflection: What other names have we given Jesus? What particular name or names would you desire to give to Jesus? Why? Write them down.
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Repetition: Pray with this passage again. Now again enter the house of Anne and Joachim as an extended member of their family - for we are all children of God and have become part of His family. What is it like for you to be present being there with Jesus and all of your relatives? What do you want to take to the Lord from these experiences?
Next move to remembering a joyous time with your family and friends? What come up for you?
Reflection: What are the graces you have received? Is there someone you are moved to pray for this Christmastide. Write their names down and for what you desire for them – for love is to will the good for another (St. Thomas Aquinas).
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Day 4: The Epiphany. Bringing Our Gifts
Prelude: As you pray with this scripture, consider the Magi. What drew them to seek the Messiah? Travel along with them on their long journey... what was in their hope in that star which would lead them to the home of the Messiah.
Meditation: Magi Visit the Messiah (Matt 2:1-12) (SE 267)
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.”
Reflection: What did you experience in traveling with the Magi? What did you discover about the faith of such men? What did they think of King Herod? Notice their relief and joy in finally arriving to find Holy Child, Jesus. What was your experience as they found Holy Child? What times in your life have you discovered Jesus there waiting for your arrival? Share your joy with Him.
What were the Magi's gifts? What did their gifts represent? What gifts do you desire to give baby Jesus? What meaning do they hold for you?
What areas of your life are you still traveling to find Jesus? How are you being drawn to travel in a different way in seeking to find Jesus?
Spend time in discernment.
*(See OurLadyoftheWay blog posts on discernment tools)
Day 5: The Presentation. Awaiting the Consolation of Israel
Prelude: Imagine Simeon's delight at seeing the baby Jesus as the Holy family entered the Temple in Jerusalem. Consider Mary's and Joseph's response in hearing the words of Simeon? Imagine the prophetess Anna's amazement and gratitude to God at the sight of the Holy Child.
Meditation: Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-33) (SE268)
“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took Him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about Him and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Reflection: What comes up for you in praying with the words of Simeon "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation"?
What peace are you looking for in this season?
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End with a colloquy. Speak to Jesus about it.
Day 6: The Flight to Egypt. Obedience and Action
Prelude: God through the angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. He trusted in the words of the angel, and he took action. What was it like for him to experience hearing from God in this way again? Imagine how they prepared to escape? Spend time with them on the road. Walk along with them. Imagine what it was like for them to live as refugees in Egypt. What was it like for them trying to make out a living in a strange land in being so far away from home? Become that someone who welcomes them to a place of safety, what would you want to do for them.
Meditation: The Flight to Egypt (Matt 2: 13-15) (SE 269)
When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” They stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”"
Reflection: Consider as you pray with their journey, what do you sense God is asking you to do and go forth? What are you called to leave behind? Where might He be leading you now this year? What action do you sense He is inviting you to take action, in trust and obedience?
Write down what came up for you in considering these questions.
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Day 7: Massacre of Holy Innocence. Lamentation
Prelude: Imagine the reactions of Mary and Joseph hearing the news of the slaughter of the innocents? Sense their shock. What was it like for them to carry such a complexity of feelings: grief and sorrow for those families, along with their gratefulness of having their son spared.
Meditation: The Massacre of the Infants (Matt 2:16-18)
"When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more.”"
Reflection: What complex mixed feelings of sorrows and gratefulness do you carry about your world and the world beyond you and your family? Where do you mourn? Share this with Mary and Joseph. Ask Jesus to help lift such burdens to have peace in the midst of where you desire to be consoled.
Write all that comes up for you. __________________________________________________________________________
Day 8: Return From Egypt. Trust
Prelude: As you pray with this mystery notice the strength and courage of Joseph and Mary and what grace they operated from as they traveled along the way back home to Nazareth. Consider their trust and how it might of been challenged on a daily basis as they traveled back home where His life was once in danger, or still it could be.
Meditation: The Return from Egypt (Matt 2:19-23) (SE270)
When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.
He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazorean.”
Reflection: Consider when you used only your strength in a situation. How was that like for you? Consider when you relied upon God's strength. How was that like for you? As you now travel along this year into the unknown future what areas in your life are you being called to trust in God?
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What tools of discernment do you need to consider?*
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Day 9 The Childhood of Jesus. Growing in Wisdom
Prelude: Now it was now safe for the Holy Family to return home, we can come to enter into the quiet of their everyday life using again our imagination. The scriptures tell us little about this time in his life up to age 12. Take time to consider how Jesus might have been as a toddler, child, preteen? How he played and interacted with his extended family and neighbors.
What did it look like for them in going weekly to synagogue or enjoying family gatherings. Did Mary have Jesus help her collect wood for the fire, fetch the jugs of water from the well? Was Jesus laboring with Joseph who was a stone mason?
How would Mary have mothered him? What was it like for Joseph who taught Jesus that trade. What virtues and wisdom did Mary and Joseph pass onto their son?
Meditation: The Return to Nazareth Luke 2: 39-40 ( SE 272)
"When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."
Meditation: Spend time with Mary and Joseph in receiving the wisdom they shared with Jesus ( a colloquy).
Reflection: Consider your childhood, who was there for you in passing on wisdom. Who taught you your faith? If you are a parent consider those times in raising your child from toddler to preteen that were filled with graces and blessings. Savor them.
Share them with Jesus.
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Day 10: Finding Jesus in theTemple. Obedience in Discerning the Call
Prelude: Here we enter into a parents' worst nightmare. What was it like for them to not find their child for three days. As you pray with this passage consider what were the experiences of Mary and Joseph; and Jesus's innocent and respectful response to them. What was Mary, Joseph, and Jesus's life like from age 12 up to when He began His ministry around the age of 30. Consider how Jesus felt in the death of Joseph. What preparations did Jesus have to provide for his mother before he left home.
Meditation:The Boy Jesus in the Temple Luke 41-52 (SE272)
"Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man."
Reflection: Spend time in considering how Jesus advanced in wisdom for those teen and young adult years. How did he spend his time? At some point Joseph died. How was that time for Mary and Jesus? How might they have consoled each other. What virtues did Mary pass onto her son now as a widow?
Where in your life you desire to grow in obedience as Jesus did? Note it down. How are you called to modeled Mary? What virtues do you desire to practice in order to grow in wisdom?
Spend time with the Holy Family.
Pray a colloquy to St. Jospeh
Pray a colloquy to Blessed Mother
Pray a colloquy to Jesus
Gather the Graces: Review and savor God’s gifts to you during this Christmastide retreat by writing summary notes after each prayer period for your future reviews and for sharing with your spiritual director or with your faith-sharing group.
Look out for in our next retreat: we will begin with John the Baptist preaching, Jesus baptism, The 40 Days in the Desert, and the start of His ministry in Galilee.
*(SE#) All quotes are taken from The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: based on Studies in the Language of the Autograph by Louis, J. Puhl. SJ. Scriptures taken from the USCCB website.
