"Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as we put on the Lord Jesus Christ".

These admonitions from St. Paul characterize so much of the Scriptures we hear throughout the year.  Bottom line: "How are we to behave?"  As we begin this new Church Year, this question must be asked of each individual and of the Church as a whole: "How are we to behave?"

I believe those of us who care about our faith and want to do something about it by the way we act, are continuously looking for ways to walk our journeys which will keep us on "straight paths".  Those of us who care what other people think of our "Christian" behavior, probably make the extra effort to do the necessary self-evaluating all year long.  The task of being Christian, or as a catechism says: "representing Christ", becomes more and more difficult for us as the society to which we are called to witness acquires a more and more secular attitude.

Do we present ourselves to society as did the first Christians?  Some do, some don't.  We must practice what we preach.  We are Sons of the Light and we need to be certain we're shedding light!

So the question is: Do we know how to "cast off the works of darkness?"  Do we know how to act becomingly and properly?  Do we want to?  Does it matter?  If we are the "soul" of the world, are we speaking out against bad decisions?  Or, are we just sitting idly by?  We Anglican Christians need to make our mark on Orange County this Christmas and in the new year.

We need to live IN the world, but not succumb to the ways OF the world.  This means something as trivial as waiting until December 25th to celebrate Our Lord's Birth, instead of beginning the celebration with everyone else, before Thanksgiving Day.  We need to use this Advent season to learn again how to WAIT and PREPARE and ANTICIPATE.  It also means something as important as dealing with others in loving and genuine ways; making New Year's Resolutions which will direct us to the many ways we can glorify God instead of our selves.

This is putting on the "armor of light".  This is "putting on Jesus Christ".  This is conducting ourselves properly.  Let's BE the Church we SAY we are!  Let's BE different.  Let's BE differentiated fro those who know NOT the Christ, and those who ignore or even deny Him.  Our example might be just the image that helps them change their minds.