In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  

Genesis 1:1-2

One of the first symbols placed on the Jesse Tree during Advent is the “dove.”  The “dove,” symbolizes the creative power of God, as we are brought back to a place of remembering our beginning.  This chapter gives us the account of the creation of earth and mankind; as we see the creative power of the Holy Spirit at work bringing forth something beautiful, from what is dark, empty and void.

Then sin came into the world and brought with it, its dark, empty, chaotic void into the lives of those God created.  Man’s answer to this dilemma was for God to come again by the Holy Spirit and hover over His creation and bring a rebirth.  We see this being fulfilled as the Holy Spirit hovered over Mary, paving the way for man to be restored to his original state through the life, death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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

… fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:20b-21 

As you make preparations for this Christmas season, take a moment and reflect on the truth that you were made in the image of God and then allow the creative power of the Holy Spirit to hover over life and make all things new.

 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.

John 1:32 (NIV)