November 30, 2025
First Sunday of Advent
“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:11–12
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as we enter this holy season of Advent.
Advent is a time of awakening—a call to lift our eyes, renew our hearts, and prepare ourselves and our people for the coming of Christ. St. Paul’s words remind us that the night is far gone, the day is at hand. We are summoned to cast off the works of darkness and to put on the armor of light.
All who will read this Advent letter are either called as clergy entrusted with the care of Christ’s flock in our churches or as believers entrusted with the call of the Great Commission – to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES. Let us take this season to reflect deeply on three movements of the Spirit:
Let Us Look BACK
Our history calls us to reach the people around us.
We acknowledge with humility that we have not always been as effective as we might have been in touching those who need Jesus. Yet Advent is a season of repentance and renewal. As we look back, let us learn the lessons we need to learn—sharpening our skills, refining our focus, and recommitting ourselves to outreach and discipleship.
The past is not wasted when it becomes the teacher that prepares us for faithful service today.
Let Us Look AHEAD
The tasks before us are urgent and holy.
To reach the people no one is reaching, we must be willing to do what no one is doing. We have been given tools, technology, skills, and relationships that can be leveraged for the sake of the Gospel.
The Great Commission is not optional—it is our mandate. Let us go and make disciples, developing what needs to be developed, and engaging the mission fields God has placed before us.
The hour has come to awaken from sleep and to labor with joy in Christ’s vineyard!
We need to look and see where we may have become complacent, may have stopped pressing in, may have allowed the world around us to dull our hunger to see people come to Christ and have their lives (and eternities) changed by His love. The world can be a formidable and overwhelming place, but we have Christ’s promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We who are called to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit of power cannot let go and lay back. We must look ahead to the unfinished task of being lights in a dark world and bringing hope to those who need the truth of Christ.
Let Us Look UP
This task would not be possible in our own strength. Thankfully, our strength does not come from within ourselves but from heaven. HE pours out grace upon grace every day – renewing us and refreshing us. HIS grace is sufficient. HIS strength will carry us through.
The Holy Spirit promises to empower us with the very gifts we need to fulfill those things which He has created in advance for us to do – good works that we are called to walk in.
Advent reminds us to obey Jesus and follow Him deliberately and closely.
Let us put on the armor of God. Let us clothe ourselves in His light, His truth, and His righteousness. Let us look up, trusting that heaven is the source of all we need, and engage the work before us with courage and faith.
Beloved, the day is at hand.
As St. Paul so clearly says, “Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Let’s bring it near to all those around us who have never heard of Jesus. To those who are not currently walking with Christ. To all who need Him and His gracious touch. We can – for we are equipped. We must – for there is no one else to go.
May this Advent be for us a time of renewed vigilance, deeper discipleship, and joyful proclamation of Christ’s coming. Let us awaken, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.
With every blessing in Christ as you put on His armor and engage in this battle of life over death,
☩robert
