I grew up hearing about “the Spirit of Christmas”. But what is that? Is it the joy of gift giving? The desire for goodwill toward all men? Or just a warm, fuzzy feeling we associate with the holidays?
This Christmas season, I participated in an online Bible study of the people of Christmas through Sweet Selah Ministries. Throughout the entire story, aside from the obvious Sunday School answer: Jesus, I noticed one constant. A silent participant with an incredibly important role. A role in which, if He had been absent, the entire Christmas story would have fallen apart.
The Holy Spirit.
Before Jesus was born, a priest named Zechariah was visited by the angel Gabriel. He and his barren wife, Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin), would give birth to a son, John. He would make way for the messiah and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth.
“But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God.” – Luke 1:13-16
Then the same angel, Gabriel, visited Mary to give her the news of her miraculous child-to-be, made possible by the Holy Spirit.
“The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35
A few days later, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.
“At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” – Luke 1:41-45
There were no cell phones in those days. No internet. Not even a newspaper. But the Holy Spirit was in John and came upon Elizabeth. Because of the Holy Spirit, before most women would even know that she was pregnant, both Elizabeth and her unborn son recognized God within Mary’s womb at the mere sound of her voice.
After John’s birth, his father, Zachariah the priest (who ironically had lost his voice due to his unbelief), got his voice back. The Holy Spirit came upon him and he prophesied.
“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” – Luke 1:76-79
After Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple to dedicate him to the Lord (which cracks me up…the Lord being dedicated to the Lord? Just goes to show just how much He assimilated Himself to our culture. And how seriously He takes the law).
At the temple, the Holy Spirit led a man who’d been eagerly awaiting the Messiah directly to them.
“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God,” – Luke 2:25-28
With the Holy Spirit upon Him, Simeon prophesied about the baby he held in his hands.
“Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” – Luke 2:34-35
And, of course, it was prophesied long ago, by the prophet Isaiah, that Jesus would have the Holy Spirit upon Him as well…about 500-600 years before His birth.
“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.” – Isaiah 42:1
Just look at all the Holy Spirit did in and through people when He came upon them.
My brothers and sisters…we have this power residing within us right now.
Christ came to earth as a baby to be an example to us but, more importantly, to die for us so that we could live eternally with Him after we die. But, as much as I would like to have Jesus around to tell me what to do, He’s given us something even better…the Holy Spirit for each of us.
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” – John 16:7-15
If we believe and choose to follow Jesus, we have this same power within us.
Perhaps this is why those of us who believe and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us know with a certainty much of the world can’t understand, where we are going when we die and Who we are living for while we’re here.
There is so much more to say about the Holy Spirit. Perhaps another time. In the meantime, as you celebrate Christmas, remember what it’s truly all about.
Jesus.
Without Him, there would be no reconciliation with God. And there would be no Holy Spirit to guide us through this confusing life.
I pray the true Spirit of Christmas, that is, the Holy Spirit, will reign in your hearts.
You are loved,
J F Rogers