No. I haven't completely lost my mind. Yes. I realize that we are at the end of May and not at the end of December.
So, what's up with this Merry Christmas thing? And, what does Happy Birthday to the Bride have to do with it?
Pentecost.
Oh, you want a more complete explanation.
We have just celebrated a special day in the Christian year. The Day of Pentecost. This is the day when the Holy Spirit, the Counselor Jesus promised, descended upon the disciples gathered in the upper room. Miracles were seen that day! The sound of a rushing mighty wind was heard, but there was no rushing mighty wind. Tonues of fire floated about the room and rested upon the head of each disciple, but no one suffered injury. People spoke in languages they did not know. Words that were spoken in one language were heard in a different language, the native language if the hearer. Because these words were proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, more than three thousand souls were saved in a matter of minutes!
The Church has traditionally understood the Day of Pentecost as the birthday of the Church. Tradition also teaches us that the Church is the Bride of Christ. Ergo, Happy Birthday to the Bride!
Ok. The Merry Christmas thing might be a stretch, but here is what I am thinking.
At Christmastime, we celebrate the Incarnation, or the inbreaking of Christ into human history as a human being. One of the names he goes by during that season is Emmanuel. The word Emmanuel means "God with us."
As Emmanuel - God with us - Jesus promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age. Yet, Jesus departed by ascending to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. If Jesus is in heaven, then how can he be with us?
Enter the Holy Spirit.
As the third person of the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), the Holy Spirit is the presence of God with us. "God with us!" Emmanuel!
Merry Christmas!
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark
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