I’m not sure I’d like John the Baptist. He’s a bit too direct for my liking. No real finesse, not much nuance. And don’t get me started about his clothes and his diet. Not very Episcopalian, at all.

Yet, each year the people who decide these things, demand that we read about him three times in the space of a month – twice in Advent and again early in the New Year. They clearly think he’s important. The first of Gospel lessons is this Sunday. His challenge is shrill, but needed. Get yourself ready – the Messiah is coming. Even if he doesn’t come in an apocalyptic sense today, he most surely will stand at the door of our lives and knock.