24) Birthrite: Alpha and Omega

Hostyn (Moravian Lourdes) = By Daniel Baránek

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Jesus was at the beginning, the middle, and will be at the end.  Where is 'the middle' of time?  We do not know.  I am thinking of this as Jesus' life on earth.  It is extraordinary that anyone's life should be remembered in detail.  Jesus was born into a literate culture.  Pen and paper were to hand.  We have the account recorded by his friends.  We also have other accounts, such as the famous accounts by Josephus. There are other accounts that differ from the biblical account, such as that in the Koran.  

So what are we to believe?  For me, I say believe 'honestly'.  What really counts?  

1) We are not alone.  We have meaning and a destiny.  We have a Creator, just as we have human parents [Alpha].

2) Jesus, the Creators presence with us, has made possible a route into relationship with our Creator.  This is though forgiveness.  I am call this Mu, or 'M' for middle, (middle letter in Greek alphabet) which also means 'water' in Phoenician. We think of water as symbolic of baptism.  This is our 'marriage' commitment to our Creator, best carried out before witnesses.  [Mu]

2) The Creator has everything in hand.  We are not victims of human frailty, heading towards selfish oblivion.  Our Creator is with us to the end.  "I will never leave or forsake you, even to the end of time." Hebrews 13:5.   Jesus is our Omega, or the big 'O'; our friend to the very end. [Omega]

PRAYER: I trust you with my life.  Open my eyes to your truth.

23} Birthrite: The Good Shepherd

David as a Shepherd Boy by 
Willem Panneels, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

Health and Safety laws in the West have quite a bit to say about protecting workers from violent outcomes.  Shepherds do not expect to have to risk their lives for their sheep.  In Jesus day, and going back to the time when David was a humble shepherd, if you did not protect your sheep, you had no sheep.  David was also, without realising it, being prepared for greater violence to come.  

Most of us are not called to a life of violence, but we are called to be strong, and stand up to protect the poor and vulnerable (the sheep).  

Jesus is the good shepherd who knows that without his protection, we are mincemeat (or Shepherd's Pie?).  

PRAYER:  Thank you Jesus for your 24/7 protection over our lives.

22) Birthrite: Founder and Perfector of our Faith

Dancing Joy by Debbi Saccomanno Chan
For sale on Saatchi Art

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2

Let us join the Shakers, and have a dance.  We are on a journey, and we travel with the founder, our Guru, our inspiration.  As we travel, we have the joy of new discoveries, both in ourselves, but also in our communities.  Life is not boring.  It is constantly developing and opening new chapters.  Let us respect our elders who have done so much more than us.  

PRAYER:  Open my eyes to new possibilities.

21) Birthrite: Author of Salvation

Vsevolod Garshin, by Ilya Repin,
Met museum and Art Gallery, New York

In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ Psalm 2:7

And he says in another place:-

‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’ Psalm 110:4

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 5:9

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14

For most people the answer to 'why were you born?' should be 'because I am to be loved' 

This was indeed why Jesus was born on this earth, but he also came to live.  To live and to die.  The Jewish tradition requires atonement for wrong doing.  This is still required in modern law.  Actions have consequences.  Some countries continue to have the death penalty.  When it comes to fines, who pays does not seem to matter so long as the fine is paid.  We believe that Jesus came to make amends for the breach in the relationship between the Creator and humanity.  The experience of passing from outside, to inside the experience is a tricky one.  The outsider may see it as mind games.  The insider may be brainwashed.  But as many have noted, there is nothing like having your brain washed clean.  And the rest of you at the same time.

PRAYER:  I experience your salvation.  I cannot deny it, and I never want to go back.

Incidentally:- of Melchizedek.  

Melek - (Malik) means 'king' and Sedeq, which means 'righteous'.  When people thought of Jesus, and who he was like, Melchizedek was the known pattern.  Here was a king who was famous for being a humble servant, a perfect and wise ruler.  We know that Jesus was far more than just this.  

Also:- Garshin is featured here because he is an author.  No more and no less.

Garshin died aged 33 from
 injuries sustained after in
despair, he threw himself
down some stone stairs.

20) Birthrite: Righteous Judge

'Spirit' by Che lovelace, exhibited last
month in the church of
St James, Piccadilly.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

We long for his appearing.  We have nothing to fear because Jesus comes again as the 'Righteous Judge'.  I am confident that we are all received with equity.   It is as if everyone who ever lived on earth comes to life on the same day.  This is the 'Judgement Day', spoken about of old.  All will stand before their creator.  All hearts are open, all desires know, and for whom no secrets are hidden. Theology degrees will count for nothing.

PRAYER:  May we perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name.

19) Birthrite: Deliverer

Ancient of Days, William Blake, Fitzwilliam Museum
(and other museums)

"The deliverer will come from Zion;

he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

27 

And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."  

Romans 11:26 (St Paul quoting from Isaiah 59: 20-21)

I am reminded of Brother Keith who many years ago spoke at the music festival called 'Greenbelt'.  His talk was called 'Saying my Prayers'.  Brother Keith described a conversation with God that went like this.

After many hours of spent in prayer, Brother Keith mussed with God saying, "want would you like me to pray about?"  He received this answer. "Pray about all the things you cannot do already for yourself."  We think of 'deliverance' as just that.  We are delivered from things we have no power over.

Humanity has got stuck.  Stuck in so many ways.  Some are clear.  We have a natural world under stress.  We have a human world in conflict, with immense suffering across the globe.  We have a sense of helplessness.  What others perhaps do not see is the hopelessness of the 'Western' condition.  This is one largely based on the technology and wealth.  The object is to live comfortably, retire, and enjoy holidays in good health for at least twenty years,  

Paul in the letter to the inhabitants of Rome quote an ancient prophecy.  The deliverer will come.  This is Jesus.  He will bring back the relationship between God and God's people.  The deal is that wickedness will be removed with healing of relationships.  

PRAYER:  We need your deliverance.  Come to us now. 

18) Birthrite: Rabbi

Rabbi with Torah. Marc Chagall
Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, 'Rabbi' (which means 'Teacher'), “where are you staying?”

 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:36-39.

Good old Wikipedia explains how 'Rabbinic Judaism' developed after the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD.  So we must be careful in our understanding of the biblical Rabbi, and the contemporary Rabbi.  Indeed, the role of the modern Rabbi, it suggests, was very much modeled on the functions of the contemporary protestant pastor or minister. 

This story is delightful.  John says to his friends - "That guy is incredible."  The friends say "let's investigate."  The call out to Jesus, "Respect".  Jesus invitingly replies "come and join me.  See what you make of it."

Jesus does exactly the same for us.

PRAYER:  Jesus, I see you and you invite me to follow.

17) Birthrite: The Light of the World

Be Light, by Anna schofield,
sohofineart.co.uk

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.  In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”  He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

We all get it.  Light means hope and life.  Diwali is the festival of light.  Candles are understood across the world.  How would we react if someone in our congregation stood up and made this claim?  It would be shocking.  Jesus makes it worse by invoking the Creator as a partner.  They are two, not one.  Jesus knows that they will never get it.  However we can.  We understand that this is not arrogance.  This is a message of love and hope. 

PRAYER:  Just as you were always with a witness, so are we.

16) Birthrite: Morning Star

 

Morning Star - Miro Tapestry by
Jules Pansu, maison-artisans.com

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” Revelation 22:16

If you look up 'Morning Star in the bible', on Wikipedia, it will guide you to Lucifer.  Candice Lucey discusses this on Christianity.com, because it is curious.  She asks. is this just two clashing cultural messages?  She thinks not, and I agree.

Lucifer is called 'the fallen angel', and the morning star, seen low in the sky, is interpreted as a star that has dropped down low out of the firmament.

Another take is that the morning star is the brightest, that stands out, and acts as an inspiration and guide.  Indeed, there was a star in the christmas story that acted as a guide to wise people from across the globe.  We have a similar question before us, to which star should we look to, and which is the brightest?  

The two means also provide a challenge.  There are many stars to follow.  Some look very similar, but where do they lead?  We need revelation as ever to ensure that our journey is not wasted.

PRAYER:  Help me recognise your star, and follow you.

15) Birthrite: The Vine

 

“Do not plant, O Varus, any tree before the sacred vine.”
With thanks to www.guadoalmelo.it 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

If you forget everything about the stories of the bible...  Question: Is this possible?  Answer: Yes, people who experience a brain hemorrhage can loose the links to very familiar scripts such as the prayer book they read multiple times a week, as happened to my father in law.  ....never forget that Jesus says he will never leave us.  Here is the message.

"And behold (or lo, remember, surely, hinei, look, dependent on which translation you read) I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

The picture of the vine reminds us that we are connected to the source of life.  The baby is part of this bigger picture.  New life is what keep hope alive.  Without new life culture, language, history and religion collapse.   Here we are, stuck in time, with a beginning, middle and end.  Jesus comes to speak of something that goes 'to the end of the age'. When is the end?  Trying to conceive of  this is like trying to conceive of infinite space (where does space end?) is about as mind boggling as trying to imagine that we will find life forms on Europa. (No, not Europe- see Birthrite 3.)

Also, by the way, if you have the time, notice that 'hinei' is the word song about by Leonard Cohen in "You want it darker".  I understand this to mean 'I am alert, receptive, ready to receive'.  

As the baby comes, I say 'hinei, hinei', "come Lord Jesus, your servant is listening."

PRAYER: I want more than anything to be in the right place at the right time.  Guide me and help my confidence.

14) Birthrite: The Lamb of God

Agnus Dei (The Lamb of God) by Francisco
 de Zurharan. San Diego Museum of Art

 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.  They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! 

But woe to the earth and the sea,  because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:  11-12

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1-2

The key to these passages is 'sacrifice'.  This is a concept that is not as easily understood as it may have been in the past.  Modern examples might be parents paying off their childrens' debt.  Or it could be a relative (or even complete stranger) donating a kidney.  

'Lamb' is now vaguely understood as a metaphor for sacrifice.  "Like a lamb to the slaughter'.  In our sanitised world, the idea of sacrifice is perhaps difficult to grasp.  Most gifts are now seen as 'transaction'.  

Many people give up their lives in war, and in retrospect, we understand this to be futile. The sacrifice made by Jesus was about as significant as you can get.  What does Jesus get from this transaction?  Well he gets you and me.

PRAYER:  One day we will realise just how significant your life on earth was to every single one of us.

13) Birthrite: Son of David

Roi David, by Marc Chagall

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16

How important is history?  Is it not strange that virtually every village in the Europe has images in windows and stories in books about the goings-on in Palestine 2000+ years ago?  What goes on Europe is mirrored around much of the world, with parallels in China we find Indian Buddhist images.  In Indonesia you won't find images from Arabia, but everyday you'll hear arabic spoken in most villages. 

Some 'happenings' have immense 'receptions'.  How did this birth make it onto the world stage?  You could say by luck.  Constantine had a change of heart (AD312).  But is this not a miracle?  The birth was already known and understood in may communities around the Middle East including Armenia (AD 301), Georgia followed (AD 326), and Ethiopia.   

The 'drama' of luck can be viewed differently from the advantage of the present.  It is not so much the facts around the birth and life of Jesus that are important.  It is the meaning, and what it does to me today.

PRAYER:  I worship you as a baby jewish boy, and as the creator of all things.

12) Birthrite: Son of Man

 

By Owen Normand- Saatchi Art

He is despised and rejected of men, a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  Isaiah 53:3

Son of God - Son of Man - he was mixed race- foot in each camp.  'Son of Man' is us.  Adam was called 'son of man' because he symbolised us all.  If you had omniscient power, would you recreate a scenario where you entered this world to be rejected, grieve, and be despised?  It is clear to me that God's perfect creation is not all 'sweetness and light'.  Our creator likes challenge, intrigue, paradox and suspence.

Our creator is 'an expert by experience', relatable, and a survivor.  

PRAYER:  I don't know why you did it, but I am grateful.

11) Birthrite: Son of God

 

My Son, by Lao Hac, Saatchi gallery

Then John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and have borne witness that He is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34

Did you hear 'Thought for the day' on Radio 4 with Rev Dr Michael Banner?  He spoke about the place of birds in the scriptures.  Here a dove is the visible image of the Creator coming to us.

Jesus grew up.  People think perhaps he is unusual?   He seems rather self assured.  Knows a lot about what the Rabbi is on about.  Nothing special.  Well behaved.  Teenage rebellion yet to come. 

But as Jesus approaches maturity strange things begin to happen. John is a witnesses.  A dove  floats down and descends on him.  Bit by bit we discover this person is exceptional. 

At birth we wonder what this little life will achieve.  How far will they travel?  What will be their influence on the world?  From the start this baby got people wondering.

PRAYER:  We want to live as you lived on earth.  Give us the courage to follow.

10) Birthrite: Logos

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

Communication is central to life.  But in itself, it is just the messenger.  My thought is that all relationships need some transaction to keep them alive.  I water my Christmas-Cactus because I believe and know that it will flower, and for a moment I will marvel at these delicate flowers emerging from a rough waxy losange. If I had a goldfish, the deal would be that it swims around the bowl looking beautiful, and I will feed it, and keep it clean.  It's much harder to keep relationships/interaction going if there is very little back in return.  Is this not the miracle of Jesus life?  God gives.  What do we give back to keep this relationship alive?   Agape love is to give without counting the cost -to give in faith, trusting that it will be worthwhile.  How do I know that I am loved?

PRAYER: Your presence is the fire inside me.  Your words are my joy.

• 
  

9) Birthrite: High Priest

High Priest Aaron
from jerusalem-mall.co.il

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

In our post-christian world, what would happening if all the churches were closed, repurposed or knocked down?  I understand that this situation has existed on a number of occasions across time, and across Europe.  In the late 18th Century there was much discussion about whether Notre Dame would fall down when repurposed as the Temple of Reason.  They put the collection box around the congregation and got back 3 francs 20 centimes. 

What about the role of Priest?  What would happen if all Priests and Pastors were told to get a proper job?  Interestingly, as has often been commented on, the Christian church in Europe did very well in these conditions.  Before Constantine moved Christianity from bloodsport to top spot, Christianity stood true to its radical tennants, and had many brave believers.  I am sure that the priests in those days were not paid, and kept their role very much a secret.

Our high priest comes to us with expertise, experience and training. Our high priest has seen it all, and can see the way through the darkness into future light.  Our high priest, as the letterist to the Hebrews knows, has a set of keys necessary for this journey.  You can often get into secret and  reserved spaces if you know the right person.  We know our high priest, and he is coming.

PRAYER: I can do anything with you by my side.

8) Birthrite: Cornerstone

 

The prize goes to Haley Blanchard from Delta middle school
displayed at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Muncie Indiana

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,

    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;

the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic."  Isaiah 28:16

it's a basic need- security.  The idea is that when something is secure, you don't even have to think about it.  In a secure relationship doubts and arguments can come, but they will never do much more than ruffle the hair.  The foundation is secure, and so the storm passes over.  

Jesus comes to provide us the foundation stone on which all things depend.  It is set right at the base, and is set true.  We do not even need to consider it's surety. This is to the extent that we may even take it for granted.  Lets not do that.  We have this paradox.  We are so safe we could abuse this trust.  We choose not to.

PRAYER:  Just as the sun rises in the morning and warms the earth, so your love for me is a precious constant.

7) Birthrite: Christ

Ethiopian 15th Century Diptych.
Walters Museum, Baltimore USA

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:29

I remember having long theological discussions with my barber in London during my gap year.  The hair was long, and the proceedings were longer.  I was introduced to biblical teaching from the  Jehovah's Witness perspective.  When I remonstrated about the time being taken, my barber pushed back saying, "are you not interested in eternal life?" I had to agree that I was, as eternity was just round the corner.  

The JW bible does not acknowledge Jesus as 'of the very nature God'.  Rather he is defined as 'a god', and is seen as an adjunct to God.  My barber got me reading and I had to agree, there was no clear message of divinity.  I discussed this with my father, and I liked his reply. Discovering the divinity of Jesus comes from getting to know him, and working it out for yourself.  This is what Jesus' friends and family had to do.  This is what many people did, including the officer who stood guard at Jesus' execution.  Also many unlikely people realised that Jesus was divine, including Pontius Pilate's wife, crazy street dwellers, and the Samaritan woman at the well.

The 'Christ', the 'Messiah', is not to say the divine.  Christ means 'the appointed one'.  The messiah is the jewish form relating to a similar principle.  And in the bible there are many clues.

The stranger who Jesus met in the heat of the day by a samaritan well said:-

“I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”   Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”  John 4:25-26

Martha, a great friend of Jesus, expressed her awareness by saying;

“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”  John 11:27.

Friends know the true nature of each other.  Jesus comes to us as a friend.

PRAYER: I am so glad that I know you as my friend and my Lord.

6) Birthrite: Emmanuel

Mary and Jesus- an old Persian
 miniature. from eslam.de

 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;" which is, being interpreted, "God with us." Matthew 1:23

 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

Dominus vobiscum

Et cum spíritu tuo

The Lord be with you

And with your spirit 

This is the message of Christmas.  This is the message of the gospel (good news).  This is the message.  Our Creator has come to live with us, just as was intended from the origin of time.  Now is the start which will lead on to heaven, where all people with live with their Creator.

What about the significance of the virgin birth?  I was interested that wikipedia reports that christians have believed that Mary was a virgin from the 2nd to the 19th century (ie no more).  But the encyclopedia Britannica asserts the the doctrine of the virgin birth remains orthodox theology for all Christian denominations.

This is a peculiar story fit for a peculiar people.  The len of modern ethical sensibility sees numerous problems.  Did Mary have a choice?  The Creator comes into work as part of their creation.  Why Israel? Why in 1AD? What about the thousands of years now understood to be part of the anthropocene.  What about all those living in the America, or far off in China?  

What we know is that Our Creator is with us.  Also that our Creator remains with us in our spirit.

PRAYER: All I know is that you are with me, and have promised never to leave me.

5) Birthrite: Prince of Peace

Portrait of Amba by Errol Brewster,
National Portrait Gallery.
See Demerara Rebellion of 1823

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

From the Hebrew "Pele-joez-el-gibbor-abi-ad-sar-shalom" I read the direct transition as "Wonderful in counsel is God the mighty, the Everlasting Father, the Ruler of Peace" (Hertz 1968).

There is something wonderful about the word Shalom.  Just the sound of the word entones serenity rather than war.  

War appears as an inevitability in human history.  Some definitions of 'peace' can be deceptive.  The Pax Roman maintained a sort of peace across europe, but it was not real peace.  Sweden apparently has not been at war since 1814.  Switzerland gained it's independence from France in 1848, and has not been at war since.  But Switzerland is a marshal land with conscription and many guns hidden under many beds. 

The prince of peace heralds a new culture, very different from the one we are used to.  We can understand that if 'the prince of peace' was born into a country such as Ukraine, or Palestine/Israel the idea of not having a position on war would be a confusing anathema.  Our saviour come to us with Peace.  I honour all who come in the name of peace in our ravaged world.  

Liberation Theology speaks of the freedom the Spirit provides to enable us to separate from the 'jackboot' resting on the head of the oppressed, and rise up  unmolested and fly....

Verse 5 from Isaiah Chapter 9  says:-

Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

War will come to an end.  It's day is done.  We have a new culture that is counter cultural.

PRAYER: Peace now, and peace to come.