Some things are far more peaceful than others: a football player versus a figure skater, a firecracker versus a waving flag, a thunderstorm versus a crackling fire, a falcon versus a dove. The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove. When you close your eyes and picture that scene, what does it look like to you?

He would die a violent death for preaching good news, but Jesus' ministry was begun by God with a peaceful gesture of the Spirit. God then speaks to Jesus, expressing God's pleasure. In Genesis, God was also pleased with creation.

In Jesus, God was creating a new covenant with humanity, a new way that we would relate to and know God. The peace of God is offered to you in the midst of the busyness of a new year. Much as Jesus must have been affirmed and assured at the moment of the descending dove, so you too can know that God is pleased with you when you are sharing God’s love with others.

By Brian Foreman from D365