Advent One -Christ for All Nations

 1) Arabia

Hagar in the Desert by Marc Chagall.
Credit

24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women (Hagar and Sarah) represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.  Galatians 4

There are significant miraculous births throughout the Hebrew scriptures. This one makes a fork in the road.  The passage relates to the birth of Ishmael/Ismail, followed by Isaac.  Half brothers though their father Abraham, or Ibrahim, Ishmael is regarded to be the father of the Arab nation. Isaac, the father of the Jews.    

In the Torah, Hagar (Ishmael's mother) was Sarah's maid/slave.  Abraham and Sarah, doubted the assurance that they would be parents and decided to take matters into their own hands. Sarah gave her slave Hagar to her husband, This of course, did not go well.  Later Sarah conceived a child - Isaac.

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul describes these two ways of living.  The first is led by human intuition.  This is what Sarah and Abraham did to Hagar.  Though "successful" it was cruel and selfish.  The second is lead by the Spirit of the Creator.  It is omnipotent and transformative.  It also involves faith and peace.  It will happen because it has been prophesied. God has read (and written) the whole story already.

PRAYER: May the people of Arabia be free, and lead by the inspired Word of the Creator.

9 Questions about The 39 Steps

 

These are the questions that arise from watching Alfred Hitchcock's 39 Steps. (Click for a link to a free viewing of the film.)

1) The film was made in 1935.  John Buchan wrote the novel in 1915.  He died in 1940.  What did Buchan make of the adaptions to his novel.  Did he like the film? Answer: Apparently Buchan liked the film.  He was 'sanguine' about the adaptations made to the plot, and even said it was an improvement on the original story.  He was paid £800 for the rights (about £73,000 today). 

2) The mysterious lady (alias Annabella Smith) is killed in the early morning whilst staying in Richard Hannay's upstairs flat.  We see an open window,  She staggers into the sitting room and collapses with a knife in her back.  What happened?  Answer:  We can only assume that someone climbed the outside of the building, or broke in in the night, and escaped through the window.  It was quite an impressive feat, whatever happened.

3) Why was Hannay spared?  His association with the mysterious lady was noted, and the gang was clearly ready for murder.  Answer: It would have wrecked the plot.

4) What happened to the milkman?  Hannay exchanged clothes with the milkman in order to escape.  Did he think about what might have happened to the milkman?  Did he care? Answer: Do we care?

5) How did the news of the murder get into the papers so quickly, following Hannay where ever he went right up into the highlands of Scotland?  Answer:  technology is going backwards.  Things were more advances in 1935.

6) Hannay escapes on the Forth bridge.  He then makes it all the way to Alt-na-Shellach, in the Highlands.  That is pretty good going. How did he do it? Answer:  He is a well paid professional actor with a team behind him.

7) Hannay makes it to Alt-na-shellach but discovers that it is the home of the well connected gangland leader Professor Jordan.  He is shot in the chest.  He collapses, and Professor Jordan leaves his slumped body to go for supper without checking that he is dead.  Surely this is shoddy work?  Hannay is able to make his escape because the bullet hit the prayer book in the breast pocket of the coat he borrowed. Answer:  Life is full of shoddy work and miraculously placed prayerbooks.

8) It is a remarkable deduction that Mr memory (the savant) has memorised the military plans. This twist is needed to round the plot off.  Would anyone else have guessed it?  Would you have guessed? Answer:  Mr Hannay, you are the savant.  

9) These are Mr Memory's  dying words before being shot by Professor Jordan, "The 39 Steps is an organisation of spies, collecting information on behalf of the foreign office of ..."

Very cleaver.  What was the word that was never said?  Answer:

Getting a Measure

 Measure for Measure- 17th October 2025 - After Show Q&A.

Cover of Penguin edition
Credit National theatre Shop

These are the thoughts that came from the after show Q&A with the actors.

Emily Burns, the director, was not present but much was said about her choices and liberties in cutting and crafting the current script.

It was argued that the historic tradition of cutting a pasting other works gave her this licence.  Emily used speeches from other Shakspearian plays, and by other playwrights such as Aphra Ben.  The text is not sacred- the story is.  I was reminded of this debate around religious texts, and how far to go.  Most religions retain ancient languages and sacred texts to protect the primitive version.

A Viennese resident in the audience asked if there was any awareness of Vienna.  The play only references Vienna once or twice, and the answer was no.  It was a play for all seasons, and places. I thought that Shakespeare probably did not have a clue about Vienna either.  It's just an exotic sounding place full of Italians.

We discussed the fact that over the last 400 years, this plot remains credible.  Mighty men and pragmatic women, who trade power and status for sex and 'belle laide'. The play orientated from the start with pictures of recent sex scandals and current gasp and cringe inducing stories.

The morality and status of sex may have changed.  It can be argued that prophylactics have reduced the risks of exposure (and the unequal impact on the parties).  The general message remains the same; everyone's at it, and although perhaps concerning, surely no a serious crime.  But today the issue of sex with minors remains critical. The abuse of power merciful continues to be a shocking taboo.

The play leaves the final outcome, the dukes proposal to Isabella, up in the air.  Across the recent decades we learn of the different interpretation to this paradoxical finale.  In the 50's she is delighted to be propositioned by the Duke.  In the 80's she slaps him in the face.  In our play, she ambiguously jumps...into the air, flying away, to where?  Is she the only one who is not afraid to die?

For me the shock in this play (as a brother) is when Claudio pleads with Isabella to prostitute herself to save his life.  He is very scared of death, and I think Isabella is very disturbed by this.  Something dies in her.  Claudio minimises and justifies the sin.  When is comes to, (of course) he is destined to die anyway.  Why trust an evil dictator?   

Isabella is the only character who appears to be free. Tormented, yes, like Hamlet, but also like Hamlet, living to a higher authority. 

Advent Advert - Christ for all Nations

 

The Abuhav Synagogue in Safed, Galilee
(Itamar Grinberg/Wikimedia Commons)

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8

It seems preposterous to claim that the birth of one little baby, and his subsequent reasonably short life remains significant for the entire planet.  Humanity may have existed in a recognisable form for 300,000 years.  For all who know Jesus and believe in a just and loving Creator, the story is eternal.  We believe that Jesus has lived with creation from the beginning of time.  This same Jesus came and lived in one small and insignificance location on the earth, at one precise moment in history. 

Against all the odds the life of Jesus of Nazareth, has been shared across the globe,  Rulers and dukes have embraced this gospel.  History say the first was Tiridates III of Armenia in 301, then Constantine in 312, and for Britain, Alfred the Great, and William, duke of Normandy.  True lives of faith have been few and far between, and the gospel has run counter to much of what has happened in history, including the religious wars, slavery and the holocaust.

I have found 24 countries which are linked to the good news story as related in the Bible.  The connections are admittedly tenuous as many people groups have moved around.  Often, the only things that remain the same are the shapes of the hills.

But is gives me an excuse to travel around the Mediterranean, and pray for 24 counties as we prepare for the significant celebration of Christmas.

PRAYER: I believe you are just and loving, and care for all living things.

A Strong Tower

There are many Mottes left in UK cities and countryside.  The wooden fort has long gone.  But when they are made of stone, they often persevere.  

Leicester Castle Motte

The towers I have partially enjoyed visiting have been the Castle in Launceston, the first county town of Cornwall.

Launceston Castle- Cornwall

Another which I visited when at a conference in Doncaster, was Conisborough Castle.

Conisborough Castle- South Yorkshire

These are building not to live in, but to live near.  At times when I might feel vulnerable, I can head there and baton down the hatches.  I feel safer, and use the advantage they offer.

Proverbs 18 verse 10 says "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower.  The righteous run into it and they are saved."

I think of this message when I see these high places.  

The securely attached infant knows where to run when they feel scared.  They run to a high tower and climb up their parent.  

Verse 11 says the wealthy see their riches as a fortified city.  The imagine that they are impregnable.  We know that the strong tower is secure.  The fortified city is an illusion.

Prayer:  I am like someone with million pounds in the bank.  All I need to do is to draw on you.  I live near a strong tower.  I never wander far away.  I run to you when I am in need.  Your presence gives me courage to be strong. 

My Theory of Race, Gender and Sexuality

 

Gender?  Credit deamtime.com

Frederick Bruce Thomas- Wikipedia

My Theory of Race, Gender and Sexuality

 My sister-in-law objected to my mother-in-law saying that from behind she might be mistaken for a man. My daughter often is, with her short hair and unisex attire.  But does it matter?  The status and definitive attributes of gender seems to be in decline.  Do we really need to be defined by our gender?  It remains a powerful descriptor, and perhaps always will be.  Two children recently refused to work with me, citing my gender as the problem.  A colleague of mine was recently working in a girls school, where the student she met identified as a boy, what's more he had a boyfriend, who was also at the school.  Surely the school needed to redefine itself as co-ed?  

When we note a difference in ethnicity, it appears to be almost obligatory to remark on it.  “I was visited by that nice neighbour of yours;  you know, the black one.” When gender remains unknow, it is an open question that needs an answer.  "Did they have a girl or a boy?"  I'm not sure, does it matter?

Research demonstrates that little children pick up on race and gender as young as three years old.  They are also aware of the status there family occupies in society.  Awareness of race and gender appear to be subliminal.  It is very difficult not to notice race and gender.  With it come a host of social constructions and assumptions.  These are created by the prevailing culture of the time.  Perhaps the detection of difference has an inherent biological function, but it is certainly complicated by the social mire of rank and power. 

In the book ‘The BlackRussian’ by Vladimir Alexandrov, Frederick Thomas, born in 1872, an American second generation freed (black) slave, notes that in Russia he did not appear to experience the racism that the black people experienced in America.  It was a pleasant surprise.  However he also recognised that discrimination towards Jews was prevalent, so was very aware that Russia was no utopia. 

Sexuality is one of those differences that has for time immemorial caused concern, indignation and hatred in most mysterious ways to the majority (but never all) of society.  It is still very dangerous in many countries to be openly homosexual.  Even in the UK, sexuality still creates a stir, and I again put this down to inherent biases relating to biology, rather than ethics.  The thought of homosexual sex make most heterosexual people squirm, (and I guess it does in the opposite way round).  Queen Vitoria famously expressed views that there was nothing wrong with lesbianism because she could not see how women could have sex.  

My theory is that a process goes on it a greater or lesser extent in all of us, as we detect gender, race and to some extent sexuality automatically (ie subliminally before thinking about it.)  Sometimes when early assumptions are challenged, for example when we realise a boy is a girl, there can be a recognisable shift in our thinking in our brain that we can observe.  Likewise if we have 'clocked' someone to be one ethnicity, and we discover they are something different, we can observe the 'recomputing' that goes on in our brain. 

The recompute happens because we have social stereotypes are automatically being fitted to the person, and now must he removed and reappraised. 

If my theory is correct I suggest that the best approach, to ensure that this does not control our behaviour and attitudes, is to first accept that this happens, and then to put it to one side, and take the negative power out of the assumption.

A Nigerian psychiatrist told me once that he sadly assumed all the people he met would be racist, even the black people.  "Is the doctor properly qualified?  What did they learn in 'their' country?  We I be able to understand them?  Should I get a second opinion?"  When people treated him with respect, he was pleasantly surprise.

I try to recognise the assumptions that are coming into my mind.  I do not blame myself for these.  These are swilling around in society.  But my job is to spot them, and ensure that their power is limited.

 

Mosaic

Giuseppe (our host) trained in art and mosaic in Monreale.  Surely there can be no better place to learn.  He went on to become and art history teacher, and make many mosaics, having exhibitions and decorating his restaurant in Partinico. 

See this in MamaRosa in Partinico, Sicily.

I was reminded of the wonderful story of the discovery of Chedworth Roman Villa in 1864.  The Game Keeper was hunting rabbits, and his dog disappeared down a hole for rather a long time.  When the dog returned, the game keeper notice some cube shaped stones.  He pocketed them and showed them to the Earl of Eldon, the land owner.  The Earl had done the grand tour and recognised tesserae immediately, and called in the archaeologists.  The site became a Victorian sensation, and it pretty much has remained so since then.  

The mosaics we saw in Palermo (and environs) were sensational. 

• Cefalu Cathedral
• The Palatine Chapel
• Monreale Cathedral

There were more that we did not see.  The Church of St Mary dell'Ammiraglio, and Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti.