Psalms 93,96; Isaiah 33: 17-22; Luke 1: 57-66
Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer:
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Advent Meditation
When John the Baptist was born, many were curious as to what was to become of him -“Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this 
child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.” Becoming one of the most prominent figures in the story of Christ, he is described in the fourth gospel as “a man sent from God” who “was not the light,” but “came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so that through him everyone might believe.”
Advent is a time of dancing, cheer, and joy when Christians remind themselves of John’s mission and their call to dance in the womb of this world where Christ is now incarnate as the living Word. Yet with all this preparation, we can easily forget to prepare the most important thing: ourselves.
In these final days of Advent, I hope you will take a moment to remember the story of the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. I hope you listen for the powerful ways God is present in both the good and difficult times. Do not dismiss the miracle of God all around you; speak it out, write it down, and share it. In this way, just as John, we will join the family of God. We will become cousins of the light, brothers and sisters in God’s nativity story, bearing witness to God’s transcendent presence in the world.
“…Prepare us O God, to be a people doing your will, a nation believing that your promises will be fulfilled…” P. Scagnelli
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle
Bishop, Diocese of Texas
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Andrew Doyle, ninth Bishop of Texas, describes his six-word autobiography as: “Met Jesus on pilgrimage, still walking.” Bishop Doyle received his M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary after receiving a fine arts degree from the University of North Texas. Previous to his election in 2008, Bishop Doyle served for five years as Canon to the Ordinary. He also served churches in Temple and College Station, as well as being elected deputy to several General Conventions. He most recently served on the Structure Committee and is currently president of the Compass Rose Society, a global group of patrons and leaders making a difference in the Anglican Communion.
Bishop Doyle’s focus for ministry is service, evangelism and reconciliation, planting 15 new churches and more than 50 new “missional communities” in the next five years. An avid reader and fly fisherman, Bishop Doyle has written several books, often mixing references from pop culture’s music and movies with the latest in secular leadership trends in order to reach the broadest spectrum of readers and challenge Episcopalians to move into their communities with the Gospel in word and action. His writings include: Unabashedly Episcopalian: The Good News of the Episcopal Church, 2012; Orgullosamente Episcopal, 2015; Church: A Generous Community Amplified for the Future, 2015; A Generous Community: Being Church In A New Missionary Age, Fall 2015.
