One of my favorite scriptures, Joel 2:28-32, is often read during this Advent season, for it foretells the coming of the Messiah. That is enough reason to like it, but I also like it because of its beautiful poetry. I especially like verse 28: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”  It’s especially moving when read aloud, and you might try doing so to see what I mean. Not only is this verse poetically pleasing, it also causes you to think about what it describes. Since I’m not so young, I can see myself as one of the old men having dreams, maybe the Messiah promised by God, and then living to see the dreams come true. The dreams and visions are an Old Testament reference to God speaking to man.

I’m not the only one who liked this scripture. The apostle Peter quotes it in its entirety in his great Pentecost day sermon that is found in Acts 2:17-21. He does make a small, but meaningful change. Instead of “And afterward” (or “after these things” which is probably how he knew it from the Greek Septuagint), he says “In the last days”. This emphasizes that the Messiah that Joel spoke of has arrived. With the Holy Spirit we have the promised communication with God. In these meditative moments prior to Christmas, we should be like Peter and note that the little baby of Christmas is really the promise of Easter – and Pentecost.

Please read Acts 2:17-21 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Jim