Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
k
As Christmas approaches, I find myself thinking about the journey Mary and Joseph found themselves on — starting with Mary’s visitation by the Angel Gabriel in which he told her that she “had found favor with God,” and that “the Holy Spirit would come upon her” and that she would “conceive and give birth to a son” who would be “called the Son of the Most High…the Son of God.” (Luke 1:26-35).
k
Joseph as well, received a visitation by an angel of the Lord, to reassure him that Mary, his betrothed, had in fact told him the truth and not to be afraid to take her home as his wife. The Angel assured him that “what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” and that “she will give birth to a son” and that Joseph was to “give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”(Matthew 1:20-21).
k
Trusting in the truth of God’s Word, Mary and Joseph stepped out in faith and obedience to the Lord, knowing very well that many of their family, friends, neighbors, and the society at large would not believe the Word of God revealed to them through the angel of the Lord. In being faithful to God, they risked being misunderstood, ridiculed, judged and attacked by the people around them. They risked their reputation, their livelihood, and their very lives. Despite the risks and possible consequences they would face from their very own people, Mary and Joseph remained faithful and said yes to God.
k
Continuing to act in faith they began the 80 mile journey on foot and donkey from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea in response to Caesar Augustus’ decree that a census must be taken throughout the entire Roman world, requiring every man to return to his home town to be registered. As Mary and Joseph began this 7 to 10 day journey, traveling over dusty, difficult and dangerous roads, Mary was near the end of her pregnancy. I can only imagine the sense of anxiousness and uncertainty she and Joseph must have felt, not knowing what the future would hold, whether they would even make it to Bethlehem before the child was born? Where would they stay; how would they provide for the child – this very special child – the Son of God; who would ever believe them?
k
It would not be an easy or risk free journey; there would be challenges and hardships to overcome; there were so many unanswered questions and yet, it was a journey they had to take, for Mary had been chosen by God to bring His Son into the world – Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, the Christ, the Savior, Immanuel, the Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God, The Way, the Truth, the Life, the Word, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega.
k
What a difference, saying “Yes” to God, can make. While you and I can never bring Jesus Christ into the world in the sense that Mary did, or to care for Jesus in the sense that Joseph did, we are called by God to bring or share the “Good News” of Jesus in this broken and hurting world in which we live, and to care for those in need, remembering the words of Jesus: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:40).
k
As Christmas approaches and we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s birth and the faith journey Mary and Joseph undertook in response to God’s call on their life, what do you hear the Lord saying to you? What message has He put on your heart to share? Who is He asking you to reach out and minister to? As individuals and as a Diocese, how much are we willing to risk in answering God’s call on our lives? What price are we willing to pay as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ — the greatest news the world could ever receive? Are we willing to speak God’s “Truth in love” to a people who are in desperate need of hearing it, even if it is not comfortable or politically correct to do so? Are we, like Mary and Joseph, willing to risk our reputations, our relationships, our jobs and livelihood? How far are we willing to go to be faithful and obedient to God and His Word? Do we have the faith and courage to trust God and to be faithful and obedient to His Word even when we don’t know where it might lead, or what it might ultimately cost us in this world? These are very real questions that each of us need to ask ourselves and wrestle with?
k
These are the very questions that I recently found myself struggling with as I tried to discern God’s will in knowing how best to respond, as the Bishop of Albany, to General Convention Resolution B012. After much thought, prayer and wrestling not so much with God, but with myself, I issued the Pastoral Letter which I believe the Lord called me to share. It has spread throughout the world touching the hearts and minds of people in ways that I never would have imagined. For many it was seen as an inspiration and encouragement, upholding the faith; for others, unfortunately, it was seen as a personal attack – something I never intended or wanted.
K
As I write to you now, I don’t know what the future holds. There is a strong possibility that I may be facing Title IV disciplinary proceedings for my unwillingness to abide by General Convention Resolution B012. As I stated in the Pastoral Letter, it was “not out of mean-spiritedness, hatred, bigotry, judgmentalism, or homophobia” that I have taken the actions that I have, “but rather out of love – love for God and His Word; love for The Episcopal Church and wider Anglican Communion; love for each of you my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, especially love for those who are struggling with same-sex attractions.” Whatever the outcome, I trust and believe that God will use it for His purposes and the benefit of His Church and people.

K
Trusting in God above all else, Mary and Joseph, by God’s grace, acted in faith and obedience to the Lord’s call on their life. Through their faithfulness, God the Father has given the world the greatest gift we could ever hope for – His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. May God find in each of us, that same sense of faith as we answer His call to share the love and Good News of Jesus Christ in our generation. May the Lord bless you as you go forth in His Name.
k
Merry Christmas!
+Bill