Holy Spirit,
you hovered over the waters as the world was created:
you were the Ruach,
the engendering breath;
never still:
scudding across the face of the waters…

Later, when Jesus came to John for baptism in the waters of the Jordan,
you transformed yourself into a dove and hovered above him
ordaining him for his earthly ministry…

And as the water of the font trickles across our foreheads
and seeps into our hair,
so you drop down to settle on our hearts;
to build your home within us…

You were the fire of Pentecost:
that incandescent spark
which danced over the heads of all those present in the house.
You inflamed their hearts,
and gave them courage to be prophets,
proclaiming your Word to all the world
in language they could comprehend…

You were the bright, searing burst of the Transfiguration
revealing Jesus’ glory on the mountain top;
and showing your transforming power.

And so you light our way,
gently guiding us on our journey;
revealing the path that you intend for us:
sometimes a faint candle-flicker in the dark…
and sometimes a bright, illuminating flare…

You are light and shade,
chiaroscuro:
the overshadowing that came upon Mary
in that still, quiet moment when God became human…

You are the cloud that shields us from the blinding brightness;
the Spirit of gentleness and understanding
who knows us from within.

You are the anointing Spirit
hallowing and making sacred…

Through you
Jesus was set apart to become the holy one;
the Messiach,
the Christ.

And at our baptism,
as the cross of oil is traced across our brow,
God claims us for his own;
calling us by name
and anointing us for that special ministry he has in mind for each of us…

You are the healing hand of God,
reaching out to us in a loving embrace…

You are the closeness of a parent’s caress,
the fond clasp of friendship,
the smile of recognition…

You are the touch that makes us whole;
that binds us up
and gives us strength.

Holy Spirit,
you are the Lord:
the Giver of Life.

Amen.

[The word Ruach comes from the Hebrew meaning 'spirit', 'wind', 'breath', or 'air' and is sometimes used to refer to the Holy Spirit.

Messiach is the Hebrew form for Messiah - the Anointed One]

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