Husband. Father. Anglican Priest.
December 21 is the Feast of Saint Thomas. He is remembered as the doubter. But he also said ‘let us go, that we may die with him.’ He asked the question that produced ‘I am the way.’ And when the risen Christ appeared, Thomas gave the highest confession in John’s Gospel: My Lord and my God.
Isaiah 35 bursts with visions of deserts blooming, the blind seeing, and the lame leaping — promises Jesus begins to fulfill in Matthew 11. But we still live in the 'already but not yet.' This Advent, we wait with honest lament and audacious hope for the day he makes all things new.
John the Baptist's wilderness cry still echoes: Repent, for the kingdom is at hand. Advent strips away every false confidence — heritage, ritual, reputation — and calls us to bear real fruit. The King is coming, and his nail-pierced hands are stretched out in welcome.
On the Feast of St. Andrew and the First Sunday of Advent, the message is one and the same: drop the nets and follow. Andrew's immediate obedience models our Advent posture — hear the call, count the cost, and go where you are sent with the gospel.
Advent is not early Christmas. It is the season of not-yet — the season of longing, preparation, and honest acknowledgment that the world is still waiting. The Church that keeps a faithful Advent will celebrate Christmas as the arrival of the one for whom it has been genuinely waiting.
Today is the Feast of Saint Andrew. The collect prays for grace to follow without delay and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence. That is Andrew’s entire ministry in one sentence. He heard, he came, he brought someone with him.