My advent meditations are inspired by my recent study of 2 Corinthians which ended with a beautiful benediction—the only one that mentions all three persons of the Trinity: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV). First, I looked at grace, then love. Today, I focus on fellowship.

How do we see the FELLOWSHIP of the Holy Spirit in the Christmas story? In ancient Greek, koinōnia is communion, partnership, and sharing. How does the Holy Spirit fellowship with us? The angel said to Mary of Nazareth:

“The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Luke 1:35 NIV

Mary then hurried to visit her relative, Elizabeth, who joined in the fellowship:

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:41 NIV

Then in a loud voice Elizabeth declared Mary to be pregnant with her Lord. After Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple, where Simeon, a righteous and devout man, experienced koinōnia as well.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts…took [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying…“my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Luke 2:26–28, 30 NIV

Mary’s conception, Elizabeth’s confirmation of it, and Simeon’s affirmation were all initiated by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We also have been given the Holy Spirit:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8 NIV

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson explains in his Jesus Walk Bible study series, “The Holy Spirit connects us to God, reveals Christ to us, and is to us a Counselor and Comforter. The fellowship we have with one another results from the Holy Spirit whom we have in common.”¹

Because of Christmas, we can know the FELLOWSHIP of the Holy Spirit.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26 NIV)
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. (John 15:26 NIV)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13 NIV)

How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s fellowship with you?

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, the Christmas story would not have happened without your partnership and communion. Your supernatural work screams throughout the story. Thank you that we too can know fellowship with you. Remind us of all Jesus said, teach us, guide us into truth, show us what is to come.

¹ JesusWalk Bible Study Series