Our Advent Word for the 3rd Sunday of Advent is Honor. It is taken from the Epistle reading for 1st Sunday of Advent, from Romans chapter 13: Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day.

Honor in a Biblical sense usually refers to reverence, respect, and obedience. We Honor our parents, according to the 10 commandments, we are to live honorably as in the light of Christ which illuminates all. We honor God in worship, praise, and obedience.

Honor can also mean living a life with the knowledge of the honor you have been given. Today is the 23rd anniversary of my ordination to the Priesthood. It certainly has been an incredible honor to serve along side all six congregations and 3 dioceses I have worked in, as well as my work at General Convention, and also leading retreats, leading stewardship programs for other churches, serving as a camp director for 5th and 6th graders, staffing spiritual retreat weekends like Cursillo and Vocare and men’s group retreats, all of it has been humbling, uplifting, and challenging, and in all that it has been an honor to be blessed by so many people in these 23 years. I have learned a lot, laughed a lot, cried some, wondered often about my worthiness or gifts, while always being blessed by the support of a loving, supportive and beautiful in every way wife, along with all my family. Thank you all, I have been richly blessed far more than I deserve. What an honor!