“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.  For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.”  (Mt. 1:20)

These were the words of an angel to Joseph in a dream explaining that Mary was pregnant not by any misdeed on her part, but by the Holy Spirit.  The birth of Jesus and our spiritual birth have a common element.  The source of both is the Holy Spirit. 

As we celebrate Christmas this week, let us remember the role of the Holy Spirit – how the creator of all that exists became one of us in the person of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, and how we too can personally experience the presence God through the same Holy Spirit. 

May the Holy Spirit enable us to continue to experience the presence of Jesus Christ more fully in all the circumstances of our lives.