Mark 1:4-11

Thoughts:       “Dove” rhymes with “love” and often does in bad poetry.  At some (expensive) weddings, doves are released to flutter over the wedding party.
 
Doves coo.  They do not squawk or chirp.  Doves are small and white, with little nembs and dainty feet.  They do not have hooked beaks and fierce talons.
 
Doves symbolize peace.  When Noah released a dove from the ark, it returned to him with a green leaf in its beak – a welcome sign that the flood waters were receding.
 
Doves also symbolize sacrifice.  When Joseph and mary took Jesus to the temple for his ritual circumcision, Mary presented two doves for the required sacrifice after the birth of a child.
 
All four gospels tell the story of Jesus’ baptism.  All four tell us that after his baptism, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.
                       
Discussion:      What characteristics of doves should we emulate?
 
Activity:          Endeavor to bring green leaves to those who wait.