This is the Fifth Day of Christmas.
Daily Office Readings for December 29
Morning, Psalm 18:1-20; Evening, Psalm 18:21-50;
Isaiah 12:1 to 6; Revelation 1:1 to 8; John 7:37 to 52
“Now he [Jesus] said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39)
It often happens in the Gospel of John that the Evangelist speaks directly to the reader. The Evangelist wants to inform, or shape, how we interpret what we read, or in this case, fill in the details we might not realize. In this writing we are told of the absence of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps the absence was only in our earthly sphere. For we know that our Triune God has always been, and will always be, in all God’s holy manifestations, Three in One. In John’s Gospel, chapter 15:26 we read: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” Therefore, in my humble understanding, the Holy Spirit comes to us from God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
All this leads me to share with you the basis of my own belief. I affirm and hold as sacred our Nicene and Apostles Creeds. But, I have also crafted my own words that for me, more accurately describe what is really going on in my faith. And while Jesus, and Mary and Pontius Pilate are not mentioned by name, Jesus is at least implied as the Incarnate Word and my statement of faith is Trinitarian. I also borrowed and modified Paul’s words. But here it is: I trust in God through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word in whom we live, and move, and love, and have our being, and to whom we must give an account. So, I believe it is the Holy Spirit of Jesus that enables me to believe in God just as it is also laid out in the Gospel of Matthew where it is written: “ But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven;” (Matthew 16:15 – 17). Therefore, our ability to believe is a gift from God. We however, must have patience so as to let God in and install the “belief” program, and then we must use it.
Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5
We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4
The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe. Merry Christmas: Day 3
For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died. Merry Christmas: Day 2
We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 