A Thought For The Week Of December 7, 2015

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." (Ecclesiastes 11:5) There's such an intimate biblical connection between "wind" and "spirit." In both Greek and Hebrew the words are the same. In the case of Ecclesiastes, the word for wind is "ruach," the same word used in Hebrew for "spirit." Wind, and even air in general, is for me a very meaningful analogy for God.  Air is all around us, and within us. Air is what gives us life. If we're separated from our air supply, we can't live for very long. Air, when put under pressure, results in wind - an invisible force that we can't see, but whose effects are obvious. It's no wonder that the biblical authors over the centuries saw such a close connection between God and wind. The word can also mean "breath." Once formed in a mother's womb, and finally born, the baby takes the breath of life. The baby's life is already a gift of God - who formed the baby in the mother's womb - now God fills the baby's lungs with air. The air, the wind, breath - all are ever-present realities that should keep us mindful of God every moment of every day. And, of course, this verse reminds us that there's mystery to wind and to the formation of a baby. Oh, yes, we can understand both from a scientific perspective - but both are still wondrous things that remind us of the mysteries that take place in the mind of God, who created all. Advent is a time of expectant hope; a time of mystery, as we contemplate the work of God that eventually itself became the birth of a baby who would give life to others. We do not understand the work of God; we do not understand the incarnation fully. There is mystery. But we are both grateful and blessed.