“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be since I am a virgin?’  And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you…'” – Luke 1:34, 35

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.  And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Luke 1:41

“And his (John the Baptist) father was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied…” – Luke 1:67

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon…and the Holy Spirit was upon him…” – Luke 2:25

#10 – God’s work is always powered by the Holy Spirit

There were so many people in the Christmas story that it is hard to keep track of everyone.  “There were people in Nazareth, there were people in the stable.  There were people in Jerusalem, even wise men at the table.”  Sorry, I went a little Dr. Seuss on you : )  There were Mary and Joseph, Zachariah and Elizabeth (John’s parents), Simeon and Anna, shepherds, wise men and more.  There were people from all walks of life that were brought together to be a part of the greatest revelation of God’s love to His creation…the birth of Jesus.

There is a common element that we find among this symphony of characters…the Holy Spirit.  God is making Himself manifest through the presence of His Spirit.  He is leading, empowering, inspiring and prophesying to and through His people.  It is by the power of the Spirit that His will is known.  It is by the power of the Spirit that His will is done. 

God’s work is always powered by the Holy Spirit.

This has always been the case and will always be the standard for the work of the Kingdom of God.  The prophet Zachariah said it this way,

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”              – Zachariah 4:6

This is the reason Jesus reminded His disciples before His ascension,

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Yes, Christmas reminds us that God does not leave us to fend for ourselves in doing His work.  If we were tasked to live a godly life on our own and in our own strength, we would surely fail.  Only by the power of the Spirit can we accomplish the things God has called us to.  Only by His power can we overcome our weaknesses and stand firm in HIS strength.  And, only by the power of the Holy Spirit can different people from different places be brought together in unity for the glory of God.

So, no matter what God has called you to do, no matter where He has called you to go, no matter who He has brought into your path…He will be with you.  By the power of His Holy Spirit He will supply all you need according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)!

God’s work is always powered by the Holy Spirit!