Where is your holiday spirit?

Luke Chapter 1

GOD’s messenger Gabriel told Zachariah that he and Elizabeth would have a son and his name was to be John. One point of interest is GOD had already named him and the second is he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born. What does it look like to be filled with the Holy Spirit? This is something that needs a closer examination. John had the spirit and power of Elijah, but it did not manifest as causing droughts, creating flour and oil out of nothing, raising the dead, calling down fire from heaven, causing an abundance of rain, it didn't enable him to out run a horse, part the waters in a river to create a crossing, ride a fiery chariot into heaven. The Holy Spirit enabled John to do the job he was called to do. It also did not include speaking in tongues, casting out demons, healing the sick. So what does being filled with the Holy Spirit look like? It looks nothing like what the world is looking for nor expects. You’ve heard it said, “don’t put GOD in a box”, well don’t do that to the Holy Spirit either.

Mary is the next one to encounter Gabriel and the Holy Spirit. He shows up at Mary’s when her cousin Elizabeth is six months along in her pregnancy. Mary’s questioning of Gabriel's message from GOD is understandable. It was not with a lack of faith like Zechariah, but because she knew she was a virgin and no where in the scriptures or their history had a virgin ever given birth anywhere, this was something new and all of GOD. Gabriel said the Holy Spirit would come on her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her meaning it had not happen yet. Not until Mary agreed, “May your word to me be fulfilled”, she consented. 

Mary hurried to visit her relative and notice she has the information provided to her by Gabriel about Elizabeth's condition. When Mary’s voice of greeting is heard by Elizabeth, her baby leaps in her womb (John jumps for joy)  and she is filled with the Holy Spirit and knows that Mary will have a baby and she calls both mother and child blessed. Mary Stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then she returned home.

Mary returns to Nazareth in Galilee and to Joseph, and she is now three months pregnant, that must have been difficult. Some things for us to keep in mind this Holiday season, we should be less concerned about being immersed the holiday spirit, but seek to let the Holy Spirit be immersed (have his way) in us. Mary had great joy, but she also knew she needed to have a talk with her husband to-be and tell him about the amazing conversation and responsibility that had been given. I can imagine like many small towns or villages, the people of Galilee would draw their own conclusions of this situation and those assumptions would be the talk of the town for years. 

Holidays for us can be both joyful and difficult, but Jesus promised to ask the Father to send the Spirit of Truth to be with us, and in us, forever.  (John 14:16) I pray you are encouraged this Holiday season, life can be hard, you may not be able to raise the dead, part the waters or speak in tongues, but if you’ve decided to follow Jesus you have the same  Spirit that both John and Mary have. He will enable you to do whatever responsibility he has given and I hope you can say like Mary - “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" Luke 1:46

Come Holy Spirit, I need Thee

Come sweet Spirit, I pray

Come in your strength and your power

Come in your own gentle way.