God came to earth to dwell among us as Immanuel. And Christ, in taking on the flesh of humanity, in all its glory and earthly expressions, made a way for our union with the Father to be restored. But our life with God is not limited to the Incarnation, though this remains a profound mystery. The Incarnation opened the door for the Indwelling of God’s Spirit. And in this way, God’s Christmas gift to us is a gift that keeps giving.
To be sure, there are many days in which we simply hold on to the knowledge of God’s love. But merely knowing the right answers can still leave us feeling lonely as we seek to navigate the many ups and downs of life.
Jesus reminds us an intimate life with God is possible, and he shows us the way. But even as we wait for him to come again, he has not left us alone. He has given us the gift of his Holy Spirit to continue dwelling with us. In every moment of every day, in every decision we make, the ever-present Spirit of God is with us. And he allows us to continue experiencing the fullness of Immanuel despite our circumstances.
And we miss out on this gift only when we quench or otherwise ignore his Spirit within – making us also more vulnerable to turn to the many idols of this world for comfort and peace.
It’s through the work of Christ that true joy, peace, hope, and love are brought into the human story. And it’s through the ministry of his Spirit that we get full access to these gifts everyday.
In the end, God gave us the gift of his Son. And the Son gives the gift of his Spirit. And in this way, God’s gift of Christmas is the gift that keeps on giving.
Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash
