Pause

Is there anything more promising, more hopeful than the birth of a child? In the cradle, the world is alive with possibility.

The same God who birthed the world into existence, and all the promise that is held by creation, is still at work bringing new life through the Spirit.

Prepare yourself now for the possibility of your own renewed birth, for the assurance of something new.

Listen

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."

John 14:15-17

Think

Have you ever tried to spend an hour being perfect? What about a whole day? We can’t do it! We’re always seeming to get grumpy and snap at our mothers or let our egos inflate. Even Christians who love God just can’t seem to be perfect, no matter how hard we try to live the way God’s children should live.

The good news is that God knows we have a hard time. God knows we need to be taught and helped along. And rather than being angry at us and sending us away, God looks on us with love.

Being “born of the Spirit” doesn’t mean we immediately act like we’re supposed to act all the time. It means the Spirit of God is always with us — helping us, loving us, and giving us second chances when we mess up.

Rebecca Poe Hays

Pray

My God and my help, forgive me for not living the way you want me to live all the time. I love you, but I mess up. Thank you for giving me your Spirit to help me. Amen.

Go

The sun gives rise to the newness of every day.
The moon and stars provide just enough light
To remind us of tomorrow.

The Spirit of God is at work in every moment,
So walk in whatever light you have,
Giving birth to the promise of God in you.