A Glimpse of Seville, Spain

SEVILLE, SPAIN

 

One of our port calls in October, was Huelva, Spain, the same port where Christopher Columbus sailed his three ships in 1492 on his way to America.  We took a private excursion (18 people) to Seville, about an hour bus ride away.  It was a warm, sunny day and we enjoyed seeing all the beautiful old and exotic architecture in the city of Seville.  Flowers, gorgeous tile work and Moorish designs were all exquisite.

 

On our walking tour through the old city, we saw this ornate black, iron cross above a fountain in a plaza.  It reminds me of a verse in 1 Corinthians 1:18:  "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."  And what power it holds!!

One of our main stops was the ancient Alcazar, a Moorish style palace built in the 14th century.  You can see from the elaborate archway above that it is intricately carved.  We walked through room after room after room, and archway after archway of amazingly beautiful design.  I was oohing and aahing through the whole building.  As far as I'm concerned, it's every bit as beautiful as the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.

Our last stop was the grand cathedral in Seville, a gothic 15th century masterpiece, it's the 3rd largest church in the world.  Since we've also visited the 1st largest - St. Peter's in Rome, and the 2nd largest, St. Paul's in London, we were surprised this was only 3rd.  It seemed bigger than the other two to us.  It's really huge inside - it just kept going and going.  Ole Chris himself is buried in an elaborate tomb inside (he died in 1506).

This stained glass window inside the cathedral is not only lovely, but offers a wonderful reminder to us of the amazing day of Pentecost that occurred shortly after Jesus ascended back up to heaven.  He promised He'd send the Holy Spirit to His followers and that's just what He did on that momentous day.  It was a unique day in the history of the world.

Acts 2:2 says, "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them."

WoW!  How exciting would that be!!  Although the Holy Spirit had visited various people in the Old Testament era, it had never been a permanent filling as it was on that day.  From that day forward, each of us who are born again, are immediately -- and permanently -- filled with the Holy Spirit of God, and He has promised never to leave us.  "Lo, I am with you always..." Matthew 28:20.

Although we tend to take it for granted, being filled with the Holy Spirit is a huge -- and I might add -- supernatural wonder that is the biggest blessing God gives us on this earth.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" Romans 15:13.