As we’re preparing our hearts for advent, let’s begin by exploring the triune nature of God. From the foundation of the earth God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were present. We see this evidenced across scripture.

Genesis 1:1-3 makes a clear distinction between God and the Holy Spirit giving the first indication of the complexity of His character. “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

In the Hebrew, there is no direct translation from the word “hovering,” that we see here in English, in the King James translation. But the Jews would have understood this picture as one of a bird hovering above her nest, protectively, vigilantly. God the Father spoke creation into being while His spirit hovered protectively, activating the word of God into existence in the form of light.

Hebrews 1:2 gives us a clear picture of the Son’s presence at creation, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.” In context, this verse is addressing the Jews who would have understood that God once spoke to the people through the prophets. This passage also clearly indicates the reason for the absence of a prophet to the Jews since Jesus’ death and resurrection as He speaks to them now through His son. But, in this passage, we also see Jesus present at creation.

Understanding the triune nature of God is critical to understanding salvation. Each of the attributes of God’s character is responsible for a component of salvation: the Father calls and keeps our faith in His son securing our eternal redemption, the Son -through his death and resurrection- has paid the price for our sin. The spirit activates salvation in our heart by His arrival at the point of our redemption, removes the veil, teaches and sanctifies us as we prepare for glory and eternity in God’s presence. When Jesus was born it was the continuation of, not the start of, a plan made before the foundations of the earth were laid in a Holy transaction between the Father, Son, and Spirit. Christ’s blood covers the cost of the bride and ensures the eternal securing of her reconciliation to the Father.

If you’ve accepted Christ you are part of the bride for which He died. If you haven’t, there is no time like right now to confess your sins, repent, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, and be saved. As you prepare your heart this season remember it is by grace you have been saved, not by works, lest any man should boast, it is the gift of God. There is no greater gift than He who was born to dwell among us, Emanuel.