Next Step #29

Next Step #29  --  The Holy Spirit and Advent

   

Hi Everyone!

As we enter the “Advent” or Christmas season, let’s consider the role of the Holy Spirit in preparing the way for Jesus. While the word, “Advent” is not biblical, the season of the year has been celebrated for hundreds of years by Christians around the world. Advent consists of the four Sundays prior to Christmas.  Advent literally means “Coming.” It is celebrated because Jesus CAME into the world, AND because He is coming again. So what is the Holy Spirit’s role in Advent?  His role is the same as in EVERY season of the year—to give us the power and guidance we need to be ready for Jesus’ return. Just as it takes the Holy Spirit in us to be able to give thanks “no matter what,” it takes the Holy Spirit to ensure that we are READY for Jesus’ return at any moment. Without a doubt my favorite Scripture regarding the Holy Spirit is Ephesians 5:18, and once again I turn to it this week as we consider the Spirit’s role in our preparing the way for Jesus. The Apostle Paul reminded us, “Don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” By now you know that the command is ON-GOING, literally BE BEING FILLED with the Holy Spirit. That means that as we go through these next twenty-three days until Christmas, each and every moment is to be lived with the Holy Spirit leading and controlling us. If we do that, we will be prepared for Jesus’ coming. We will exercise the joy that is supposed to fill us in this season, AND we will empower others to see Jesus, as we show Him to them in our lives. Let make this ADVENT season, be a season when the Holy Spirit COMES moment by moment into our lives, so that all will experience the power of God’s greatest gift-Jesus through us!