The Trinitarian Shape of Advent

“To meditate on the three Persons of the Godhead is to walk in thought through the garden eastward in Eden and to tread on holy ground.”

—A.W. Tozer

The Advent season traditionally invites us into reflection on the arrival of God’s human presence in Jesus Christ. Yet, the presence of the Trinity lies beneath the surface of the Nativity narrative and is revealed in the lives of those who experience his birth. Pulling back the story’s layers exposes the initiating presence of God the Father and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in addition to the incarnation of the Son. The exploration of the Trinity’s role in these scriptures enlivens our understanding of God’s continual presence and deepens our hearts’ prayer: “Come Lord Jesus.”

Initiation: The God Who Creates

Before any singing of angels or kneeling at the manger, Luke’s nativity story begins with Zechariah and Elizabeth. We see the Creator’s hand at work, bringing the miracle of life into the grief of their barrenness. As with His earthly creation in Genesis, the Father speaks life into the emptiness of their lives, not only for their fullness, but for the fullness of His people and ultimately, the world. Like Issac and Samuel, this miracle child continues the long, slow work of God’s redemption by preparing Israel for the Savior’s arrival. 

Here in the Advent season, we are spurred to see God’s continual creative work in our lives as well. From the physical gift of breath in our lungs to the spiritual regeneration of our souls, each day God the Father initiates new life in us, inspiring awe and wonder.

Come Lord Jesus. Reveal the miracles of our Creator God.

Inspiration: The God Who Speaks

While the Master Craftsman makes miracles, the Holy Spirit is also active throughout the Nativity narrative and is specifically mentioned in the story of Simeon. For Simeon, the Holy Spirit’s presence has been a comfort and a stronghold for his faith throughout his long life. With Jesus in his arms, Simeon becomes the mouthpiece for the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s words that have comforted him, now comfort God’s people—for his generation and for generations to come. His words also move the salvation story from prophecy to revelation: “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)

In the centuries since they were spoken, Simeon’s Holy Spirit words continue to speak to God’s people and form the conclusion of the nighttime prayers of Compline . They remind us that we can rest easy because we know the Savior has come into the world.

Come Lord Jesus. Speak salvation’s hope into the world.

Incarnation: The God Who Dwells

From Eden’s garden walks to the desert’s cloudy pillar, God demonstrates his desire to dwell with us. When we arrive at the manger to see Immanuel (God with Us), he is no longer the fire on the mountain. God’s presence is a physical manifestation that we can experience with our bodies and minds in all our human frailties.

The exclusive invitation to encounter this revelation is given—not to the spiritual elite—but to a group of shepherds, those whose lives are tied directly to the physical reality of the world. God’s earthly revelation gets even more earthy when these men from the margins arrive to worship at the manger. God has reached down, deep down, and wants to make very clear that his birth is not a magical mystery for the minds of religious leaders. The unexceptional shepherds remind us that God’s presence is for all—whatever your earthly circumstance. We too can pick up our robes and run to see the face of the Savior of the world.

Come Lord Jesus. Burn our hearts with the power of your presence.

Interplay: The God Who Relates

In teasing out the action of each person in the Godhead, we discover the difficulty of assigning an action to just one person. The Father’s miracle for Elizabeth and Zechariah leads to the Holy Spirit’s song of praise. The Spirit’s inspiration to Simeon comes from the direct contact with Jesus the Son. The Shepherds’ adoration of the Son would not happen without the Spirit’s angelic words of wonder in Bethlehem’s fields. Father, Son and Holy Spirit enliven one another in a vibrant interplay of relationality. The dynamic unity of the Trinity will not allow us to separate the action of one person from the others. 

It is in the life of Mary that we see this interplay on full display. The Holy Spirit speaks into Mary’s life through words of comfort and commission. Her willing spirit receives the Father’s creative power to conceive a miracle within her. And she alone travels the unique journey with Jesus, the Incarnated presence of God, from his first breath to his last.

What God does in Mary, he does also in us. Advent is an appropriate time to tease out the Trinity’s work in our lives as well. How has the Creator God initiated new life or resurrected what was dead? How has the Spirit spoken courage, comfort or challenge into your circumstances? How has the dwelling of the Son taught you to relate to the people and the world around you? How has the dynamic interplay of these Three Persons enabled you to live into the purposes of His kingdom? We can, like Mary, treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts. (Luke 2:20)

Come Lord Jesus. Create, speak and dwell in my life. Let your kingdom come.