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