The Trinity.  God in Three Persons, as the hymn states this mystery.  How is the Trinity involved in the story of Christmas?

In the past, God revealed Himself as the Creator, a mighty King and Judge.  He made everything, designed the rules to govern everything and either blessed or punished the people He had created.  At least, that is how many of us think of God and His ways in the Old Testament times.

There is mention of the Holy Spirit on rare occasions:  Genesis 1:2b introduces the Spirit in the beginning "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."  Also, the Holy Spirit "came upon" certain chosen ones as God used them in leadership roles (Joshua in Numbers 27:18, King Saul in 1 Samuel 10:10 and King David in 1 Samuel 16:12-13).  Even Samson in the book of Judges experienced the Spirit of God giving him special strength to bring judgment on the Philistines!

God's amazing plan to bring hope to the earth did involve all three of the Trinity.  The Father spoke through the angel Gabriel to announce to Mary her part in the plan.  "...you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...."  (Luke 1:31-32a)  God is not directly named as Father, but by declaring He has a Son, we see this as clearly the Father/Son Persons revealed.  So where does the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, come in?

Through Mary's question to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (verse 34), the answer is given by the angel's explanation.  "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God."  (verse 35)

If you think this is incomprehensible, imagine how overwhelmed Mary must have been!  The Trinity would be taking over her body, her life, her future as the Son of God would be knit together in her womb.  The Almighty God sent His only Son through the fragile and risky process of conception and birth as a human being.  

What makes this special coming together of the Trinity in Mary is replayed in Luke chapter 3.  Thirty years after the pronouncement of the angel to Mary, this Son was now about to enter His official earthly ministry.  In my last blog, I talked about John the Baptist's ministry of preparing the way for the Messiah.  As John was going about his preaching and baptizing, we see him at the Jordan River.  :...the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."  (Luke 3:2-3)  The people began to follow him, wondering if he was the Messiah!  But he assured them that he is only a forerunner, and "He who is mightier than I is coming...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Luke 3:16)  

All four of the Gospel accounts records that Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized by him.  In Matthew 3:13-17, we read that when Jesus approached John, John did not want to baptize Him, knowing Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, and was greater than he.  But Jesus insisted, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (verse 15)  

And then this incredible revelation of the Trinity came together in the Jordan River, as the Son submitted to baptism - even though He had no sins to repent of - and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove (verse 16).  And finally, the voice from the Father speaks from heaven:  "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."  

A third coming together of the Trinity occurred when Jesus was on top of a mountain with Peter, James and John, three of His disciples.  They were there to pray.  God met them through revealing Moses and Elijah, and the three disciples witnessed Jesus talking with these tremendous men of faith!  Then again a voice from heaven proclaimed:  "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!"  (Luke 9:35)  No specific mention of the Holy Spirit is given, but throughout the Gospels, it is clear Jesus was empowered for His preaching and miracles by the Spirit of God.

May the presence of the Triune God be with you this Advent Season!