The Spirit of the Season

During this Advent season, we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ into this world and expectantly await his return in glory. Many talk about the "Christmas spirit" of joy, giving, peace, hope, goodwill, thankfulness, and love. I believe what people are really identifying is the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).

The Tabernacle (Temple) in the wilderness

The Bible teaches that Christians are a temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 3:16). Just as the glory of God made a dwelling in the Tabernacle, the Spirit of God lives in the hearts of believers. Perhaps the greatest challenge for the majority of the church is understanding and getting to know the Holy Spirit. Do we believe that intimacy is even possible with the third person of the Trinity? We must not only believe it, but we must experience it. Of the three persons of God, the Holy Spirit is the only one on earth- God the Father is in heaven and Jesus is seated at His right hand (cf. Col 3:1). This Christmas let us not only bring our gifts to Jesus, let us enjoy and embrace the gift he has given to us- our Comforter. The Holy Spirit is fully God, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, and the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Do you hear his voice?

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." John 16:13-14