It’s called the “Rule of Three.” People understand ideas and concepts best in groups of three. In writing, the Rule of Three serves as an essential storytelling principle. In comedy, the Rule of Three fits with a classic joke structure. In nursery rhymes, the Rule of Three applies to such favorites as “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “Three Little Pigs.” In Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the Rule of Three is represented in the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153 served as abbot (spiritual leader) of a French monastery at Clairvaux and became a powerful preacher, effective writer, political advisor, original theologian, and prodigious hymn-writer (with “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” and “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts” to his credit). He often spoke and wrote in triplicate fashion in obvious parallel to the Trinity. Bernard preached nineteen Advent and Christmas sermons to monks in Latin that are still in circulation today. In one Advent sermon, he spoke about “the three comings of Christ.” We celebrate Jesus’ first coming to Bethlehem and look forward to his return, yet we often disregard his coming sandwiched between the other two. He spoke of Jesus’ first coming in flesh and weakness, his second coming in spirit and power, and his third coming in glory and strength. This middle coming is expressed in Jesus’ words, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. Anyone who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14.23). Jesus has come, will come again, and is available to us now. A line from Bernard’s Advent sermon reminds us, “If you keep the Word of God in this way, it will also keep you.” Bernard leads us to pray: