I am certain I learned all about Pentecost when I was in confirmation  a “few” years ago and I do remember the reason and the basics. I have been celebrating it for years through words and songs,  but I didn’t remember the nitty-gritty of all it signifies so I decided to do some research.  Here is a refresher course for those of you who may have found yourself in the same situation.

I’m sure we all know that Pentecost means 50 and derives from the Greek word ‘Pentekostas’. It is celebrated 50 days after Easter.  The explanation of this comes from scripture found in Leviticus 23:16.

All over Europe and in the United Kingdom Pentecost was called ‘Whitsun’ which means ‘White Sunday’. That named derived from it being a day of baptism and people being baptized wore white.

In Acts 2:1-13 scriptures reported there was glossolalia (speaking in tongues). In Genesis 11 we read the story of  God confusing the languages of those people who were building the Tower of  Babel so they could no longer understand each other.  In Pentecost, the language confusion in Babel was reversed and as a result, the hearers actually understood the message the disciples were sharing with them.

Pentecost embodies the fulfillment of two promises.  In the Old Testament we read in Joel 2:28 – I will pour out my spirit on all people”. In the New Testament in John 16: 5-15 Jesus tells us he will send another Counselor, the Spirit of Truth.

Pentecost emphasizes the gifts of the Spirit. The possibility of a direct, personal experience of God is stressed and many people still experience this.

Wind is an important part of Pentecost. Ezekiel 37 tells the story of the dry bones which came together to form living people once the breath of God entered them. The  wind of Pentecost represents the power of God bringing life to the ‘dry bones’ of faith.

In scriptures we also learn the importance of the ‘tongues of fire’. The fire separated and rested on each of the disciples. In Matthew 5:14 we are given the words You are the light of the world.  In John 8:12 we then read these words…I am the light of the world. The flames landing on the disciples represented that they would continue Jesus’ work. The clergy wears red to signify the flames and many congregations choose to wear red as well.

Pentecost is the birthday of the church as it marks the beginning of Christianity as a purposeful movement and a new community.

Tomorrow, we celebrate Pentecost once again. Revisiting the meaning behind all of the specifics certainly helped me to better understand this special time and reminds me once again of God’s unconditional love for us. Come Spirit Come. Blow Spirit Blow.

Patty