Advent StudyNäide

Patrick Mayberry released the song “Holy Spirit Come” in 2021. In the past 5-10 years, there has been a trend toward worship music that speaks about the Holy Spirit and invites the presence and engagement of the Spirit into our midst. Often, we focus on God the Father and God the Son, but the power of the Holy Spirit is equally sovereign, evidenced by the God-head, three in one.

In the Gospel of Luke, the Holy Spirit entered and filled Zechariah, foretelling the prophecy regarding John’s ministry and the Messiah’s coming. It’s important to note that every case of the Holy Spirit’s engagement resulted in Spirit-directed worship. Zechariah’s first words were a joyous cry of praise to God after being granted the return of his voice.

Similar to Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46–55, we observe Zechariah quoted the Old Testament. He referenced the Abrahamic Covenant and the horn of salvation (v. 69). This language, alluding to strength, was not meant to exalt John the Baptist but rather, the Messiah to come. It served as a reminder to the people of God’s promise of salvation, given by grace.

• When have you experienced or felt the Holy Spirit’s prompting or speaking? How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit and His work?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, make me sensitive to your prompting and presence. When I am filled by you, may praises to be on my lips. Holy Spirit, come.