Genesis 2: 7 NIV “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
John 20:22 NLT “Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 1: 50 The Message “His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before Him.”
“As I live and breathe!” What a familiar saying, particularly to those of us from the South, something usually said in jest and/or incredulity as to a circumstance one did not expect to see happen . . . like maybe EVER!!
Most of us take living and breathing for granted, but we are blessed to be able to do so. The breath of life is a gift to us from a loving God. The older we get, we realize that life is fleeting, as we experience uncomfortable emotions and health concerns with aging parents, and as we lose friends and other family members way too early. We realize that there will come a time for each of us when we will draw a last breath.
God breathed humankind into being, and He continues to sustain us, no matter our age or stage. He desired that His presence be as close to us as our next breath. The birth of that tiny baby Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago was also a happening no one expected, but it provided a way for us to be in relation with God, Who came down to live among us, to draw breath with us, to bring us to Him with all our stuff – joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, enriching relationships, challenging ones, and everything in between. And He just keeps on doing it, meeting us where we are. That kind of sustenance is the kind that survives the grave, full of mercy that just keeps uplifting and upholding us as the waves flow into the shore in an endless cycle of renewal.
In an act reminiscent of God’s breathing life into Adam, Jesus breathed on the disciples and imparted the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our Triune God’s presence in and plan for the world is mind boggling as Jesus’ act links the Father, as Creator, Son, as Redeemer and Holy Spirit as Sustainer and Transformer. God will bring us home someday, when we no longer draw earthly breath, but has provided a way for us to soar to newness of life where we have always been meant to be.
Take time this Advent to stand in awe as you gaze on the manger, seeing the cross on the distant horizon and realize that the plan God had for you since Creation will be fulfilled. Take to heart the words of this familiar hymn:
“Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.”
“Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.”
“Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.”
“Breathe on me, breath of God”, Edwin Hatch (1878)
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