Day 31 - Tuesday, December 27
Title: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Scripture #1: Luke 11:13
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” 
Scripture #2: John 14:26–27
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” 

Poetry & Poet:
“O Comforting Fire of Spirit”
by Hildegard of Bingen

O comforting fire of Spirit,
Life, within the very Life of all Creation.
Holy you are in giving life to All.

Holy you are in anointing
those who are not whole;
Holy you are in cleansing
a festering wound.

O sacred breath,
O fire of love,
O sweetest taste in my breast
which fills my heart
with a fine aroma of virtues.

O most pure fountain
through whom it is known
that God has united strangers
and inquired after the lost.

O breastplate of life
and hope of uniting
all members as One,
O sword-belt of honor,
enfold those who offer blessing.

Care for those
who are imprisoned by the enemy
and dissolve the bonds of those
whom Divinity wishes to save.

O mightiest path which penetrates All,
from the height to every Earthly abyss,
you compose All, you unite All.

Through you clouds stream, ether flies,
stones gain moisture,
waters become streams,
and the earth exudes Life.

You always draw out knowledge,
bringing joy through Wisdom's inspiration.

Therefore, praise be to you
who are the sound of praise
and the greatest prize of Life,
who are hope and richest honor
bequeathing the reward of Light.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

In Hildegard of Bingen’s poem, O Comforting Spirit of Fire, she depicts the Spirit of God metaphorically, describing the Spirit as the very life of All Creation, as O Sacred Breath, O Fire of Love, O Sweetest Taste, O Most Pure Fountain, O Mighty Path, as Hope and richest honor bequeathing the reward of Light. However, these are not solely metaphorical, but physical ways we may know and understand God. As physical beings, we know what it is like to walk along the beach and gaze at the sunset, or hike a path in the forest and hear the crunch of winter leaves under our feet, to breathe in deeply and to breathe out, to taste the sweetness of honey, to dip our hands in the cool water of a fountain, or to sit underneath a tree with dappled light dancing across our skin.

The triptych, Holy Spirit, by Fillipo Rossi brings to mind body and spirit: the vertical lines on the central panel like the spine of a torso; the two panels on either side, like lungs that enable the body to breathe; the golden notes that move across the panels, like the Spirit moving through us; and the concentric lines emanating from the circle like breath…in…out…in…out. 

In Luke 11:13 and John 14:26-27 Jesus instructs his disciples that just like humans who are imperfect know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. My Dad was frugal, and he also gave good gifts. I remember one time when I was living in Portland, a couple years after graduating undergrad, and he called me on the phone and said there was an art exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston that he thought I should see. He would cover my airfare so I could go. That trip was very memorable, but even more dear was the gift of my Dad’s presence that he gave me time and time again over the course of his life. Earlier this year, I watched my Dad take his last earthly breath. I long for the physical presence of my Dad again. I want to be able to call him on the phone, to hear his voice, to text him when I have a question about my car, or to visit him on his farm during my summer break. I can imagine the disciples grieved deeply when they no longer had Jesus in the flesh, but Jesus sent them–and He gives us–the gift of His Holy Spirit.

My Dad knew how to give good gifts, and with his passing I treasure even more the tangible objects that he touched. How much more does God give us good gifts! He gives us His Spirit. He gives us His peace. Breathe in….breathe out….peace. As Audrey Assad sings in the last stanza of “Spirit of the Living God”: 

So shall we know the power of Christ 
Who came this world to save
So shall we rise with him to life
Which soars beyond the grave
And earth shall win true holiness
Which makes your children whole
Till perfect end by Thee we reach
Creation’s glorious whole

Creation’s glorious whole! We are invited to receive God’s gift of peace and to anticipate that joyous Resurrection “which soars beyond the grave.” On this third day of Christmas, may we celebrate Christ’s physical presence that entered this world as a baby, and may we experience in a very real way His Spirit that is constantly with us. Jesus says to us, “I give you My Peace. Do not be afraid.” 

Prayer: 
Lord, You know our humanness–you created us. How wonderfully complex we are! You know us so well (Psalm 139). You understand our longings, our grief, our joys, our laughter. You understand the ways in which we delight in this physical world, and you delight in our delight! Thank you for giving us the gift of your Holy Spirit. For those who are experiencing longing during this season, we ask for belonging to be found in You. For those who are grieving, we ask for your Spirit to hold them and bring comfort. For those experiencing joy, we ask for the joy to be abundant! For those who know laughter, may they shine with Your love. For those who experience the beauty of creation this season, may they see a glimpse of Your glorious and eternal whole. Lord, thank you for your peace.
Amen.   

Kari Dunham
Adjunct Professor of Art
Biola University

For more information about the artwork, music, and poetry selected for this day, we have provided resources under the “About” tab located next to the “Devotional” tab.