Tuesday, December 19, 2023
- Reflection by Rev. Cheryl M. Peterson, PhD
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A few years ago, a local congregation called because they had heard I was writing a book on the Holy Spirit and wanted me to do a mid-week Lenten series on the Holy Spirit. That did not work for my schedule, so they suggested doing it in Advent.
At first, I thought, “A study of the Holy Spirit in Advent? That seems like a stretch.” But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The prayer of the day for the Third Sunday in Advent directly references the work of the Holy Spirit who anoints those who speak God’s word. This calls to mind the prophets in the Hebrew scriptures, including passages like Isa.11:2 that the early church believed pointed to the promise of Christ.
The season of Advent also draws our attention to several prophet-like figures anointed by the Spirit in the birth narratives, especially in Luke, who are forerunners and foretellers of the coming Messiah. For example, Elizabeth is “filled with the Holy Spirit” when Mary visits her, becoming the first to praise the wondrous news that Mary would bear the Son of God (Luke1:39-45). When Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit fills his father Zechariah, who sings a song praising God’s promise of salvation (Luke 1:67-79). The angel who had told Zechariah he would be the father of John the Baptist explained that John would be “filled with the Holy Spirit” even before his birth, and that “with the spirit and power of Elijah,” John would prepare the way of the Lord.
John the Baptist, of course, may be the most central figure in Advent, a prophet anointed by the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed: “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8).
John the Baptist points to Jesus as the one who will “baptize us with the Holy Spirit,” so that we may be anointed to do the same. Those called to be pastors and deacons do this in their ministries as public leaders in the church – pointing to Christ through proclamation, sacraments, and service – but each of us is called to point to Christ in our daily lives, to testify as the Holy Spirit enables us. To lead as we are led by the Holy Spirit, even as we pray: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. Anoint and baptize us with the Holy Spirit to testify to the good news of your salvation. Amen.