There is joy and blessedness in being permitted to witness in an age of doubt and unbelief to that precious faith committed unto us. 
The Rt Rev'd H.B. Whipple, Founder of The Church of the Good Shepherd, Maitland, Florida, 1881

Dearly Beloved in Christ,
As I was praying about what to write this week I have been led back to a reflection by the Reverend Dr. Steve Harper on his blog "Oboedire."  Steve is a professor, and past Vice President, at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando.  He is also a published author primarily in the area of spiritual formation.  I highly recommend his writing and in particular his blog that you can access here.  You will note that there are several categories to choose from: "gleanings," "ponderings," "listenings," "connections," etc.  The following comes from his reflection on this week's Holy Gospel, Matthew 11:2-11.
Peace, Grace, and Love in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rev'd Sarah+

"Meditation:  'Doubt in the Dungeon'
John the Baptist appears for the second time in this year's cycle of Advent stories.  But this time, he is not prophesying from the desert; he is pondering from the dungeon.

The traditional Advent programs at our churches do not contain this scene.  We are so focused on the angels, shepherds, wise men, and holy family - on the celebration of Christmas - that we can easily forget that the days were also ones of struggle.  John re-enters the picture to remind us of this important note.

Many people will have a "blue Christmas" rather than a "joy to the world" one.  John represents all those who look Jesus squarely in the face and yet ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"  John walks onto the stage of our Advent drama to let us know it is okay to doubt in the dungeon.

If this were not so, God would have to check our "spiritual ID" at the door, allowing into the season only those who are upbeat and "doing just fine."  John the Baptist stands in for the rest of us who come limping to Christmas rather than leaping - weeping rather than laughing.

The passage ends with Jesus telling John's messengers to go back and tell him what they have seen and heard.  The assumption is that if they do this, John will have his faith renewed and his confidence restored, even in the face of certain death.  Advent is a prime time to take another look at Jesus (all of him, not just 'baby Jesus'), and let that view renew our hearts." Steve Harper, Oboedire: A Site for Attentive Spiritual Formation.

I want to take this opportunity to again thank The Rev'd Dr. Thomas Buchan, III for coming to my rescue this weekend, as my voice receded and my brain fogged up with the virus that has now disappeared!  Thanks be to God and your prayers!  We were blessed by Fr. Thomas' word to us, unfortunately we do not have a recording of his sermon, but there will be another opportunity to hear him preach on the weekend of January 1st & 2nd when I will be in the UK visiting my mother.