And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;  and man became a living soul.       Genesis 2:7 King James Bible

The breath of heaven. I have tried this week to write about it. (This is my second attempt!) Because every day it has shown up to breathe new life in me. Each day, God's presence has come to surround me and fill me and all I have done is show up, with feet following His directions, hands open in expectation.

It started as I walked into December. Wearing a red silk dress, looking out into candlelight and beautiful faces looking up from round tables with fine china. I was invited to stand on a stage to tell the story of God’s Son appearing here in our dark world. My friend Hannah sang Gabriel’s Message to the accompaniment of cello and violin and the chills ran across my arms as I was filled with the Spirit’s unexplainable joy. Breath of Heaven.

Last week I sat in a very different room. There was no candlelight nor a catered meal. Clothing was casual, leggings and hooded sweatshirts, tennis shoes. Folding chairs in rows. These women would not be going home for Christmas. They had committed to staying there until it was time to leave. Until they were strong again.

One woman came from the back of the room, asking to sing. She was given the microphone and again the Spirit of God descended. 

 “I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I've done

Holy father you have come

And chosen me now to carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone?”

The women in that room knew they needed the life-giving breath of a Holy God. They had no doubts. They had burned every bridge behind them, they had disappointed their deepest relationships and broken their own homes. They were saying, I don’t want this broken life. I want a new life. One that is birthed in forgiveness. They are women walking the hard, uncertain road to recovery. They know what it feels like to need the breath of heaven.

“Breath of heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me your holiness

For you are holy

Breath of heaven”

This is my reminder to you in case you have forgotten. We who are Christians believe there is a great God, who is both Creator and Father. He loves us – no matter how lost and alone and broken we are. He tore the heavens open to send His Son to rescue us, to take on our failures as his own, and to offer forgiveness we don’t deserve. Quite an offer. 

We also believe in God’s Spirit, given to us the moment we believe - to comfort us and to guide us, and remind us of the new life we have been given. This Spirit of God is alive – living within us. 

Breath of heaven. What a precious and dear thought! Amy Grant wrote the words to this song about an uncertain young woman who carried a babe in her womb, traveling the long, long journey to the crowded town of Bethlehem. She knew with all her heart that this child was given to her – not by man – but by the breath of heaven, the Spirit of God.

Do you know this breath of heaven? Is it a heavy presence within you? Is it guiding you down uncertain paths? Is it comforting you in this cold world? Is it shining a light into the darkness?

“Do you wonder as you watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan

Help me be strong

Help me be

Help me…”

This is my invitation today. Find a quiet place to listen. To be still for just a moment. Like these words Mary may have wondered, you may ask yourself if God has made a mistake with you. Maybe He should have chosen someone stronger. Maybe someone wiser. But my dear one, He did not. He chose you. For His plan. He will see it through. So, this is our prayer on this coming eve of Christmas:

“Help me be strong

Help me be

Help me…”

Amy Grant Breath of Heaven         BOSTON POPS 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVauv72nHBM

I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I've done

Holy father you have come

And chosen me now to carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now

Be with me now

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me your holiness

For you are holy

Breath of heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan

Help me be strong

Help me be

Help me

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me your holiness

For you are holy

Breath of heaven

Songwriters: Amy Lee Grant / Chris Eaton