The GB News Advent Calendar, Day 20
Welcome to the Anglican parish of St Andrews Wimbledon, where I serve as the vicar
There's few things as frustrated as finding yourself locked out of somewhere you're trying to be
Recently I was coming home late at night and realised I didn't have the key, I couldn't get in
There's lots of descriptions the Bible gives for Jesus Christ. One we may be less familiar with is the image of him being the one who holds the key
Isaiah 22 puts it like this. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David
What he opens, no one can shut. And what he shuts, no one can open
It's a double-edged image because a key is perfectly designed to lock and unlock the right door
The startling claim of the Bible is that what unlocks or locks the door into God's presence
It's not an archbishop or a pope. It's not you or me. It's not our good deeds or our bad, but Jesus Christ
It's a humbling thought for those of us who might feel proud or superior to others. Jesus determines who's in and who's out with God
But also what an encouragement for those of us who feel trapped in a prison of our own selfishness
or the failures and oppression of others. Jesus is the one who opens the door to God
What he opens, no one can close. What he closes, no one can open
Good news this Christmas is his invitation is wide open to all who would come to him
I wish you a happy Christmas