Socrates on 'The Bible'.

 Philip Pullman, in his Trilogy called "His Dark Materials' throws a copy of the bible to Socrates and requests his critic.

Socrates obliges with some pithy comment. 

What's Pullman pulling at?  Interestingly you have to know your bible to get much out of this.  A bit like Dan Brown before him, is Pullman getting his readership to learn more about the bible than they might otherwise know?  The classic reading of he bible has a clear good a bad divide.

God=good.  Angels=largely good (few bad eggs). Devil=bad, serpent=bad, Sin=bad.  It goes not like that.  Pullman says 'is that so?  Think about it?  Check it out.  Don't be taken in.  All good sentiments.  

Like many before him, Pullman points out hypocrisy, vacuous superstition, striving and guilt.  But we are all on his side, and not particularly keen to he part of the camp he is pointing out.  

Then the elements of life he he raises up, well, yes we want a part of that too.  Courage, sacrifice, honesty, self-knowledge, creativity, love and life.  

The thing that is missing is the idea of a creator.  This is where we part company.  There is only a vague yearning to be part of the universe, 'to be free'.  The challenge for the believer it that when they know their Creator, this becomes the starting point.  'I know my Creator, therefore I am.'  

To realise you do not know 'a Creator' is also important. It's honest, but the challenge for Pullman is not knowing what it is like to 'know'.  As I said before, it's like looking into an Oxford College and guessing what it might be like to be an Oxford Don.

Some detective work

 I have a number of maps of Oxfordshire.  In the 1966 map the Devil's Quoits are labelled, but they have disappeared by 1975.  My theory is that the land was sold to gavel extractors and The Devil's Quoits, a Neolithic site, may easily have disappeared.  

We will investigate.

Twenty Four and Counting - The day has arrived

 

The Penitent Thief, Titian, 
Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna

 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  Mathew 26:64

     There are days we know are incredible, significant, immutable, but still feel unreal.

•         The day I was born
•         The day I will die
•         The day I discover what on earth has been going on in this confusing world      

      And Jesus says it will be today.  This very day.  This is the day when at the dead of night, a baby is born.  Two people's lives are changed forever.  There is no going back.  A Jack Boot descends to stamp on the baby's head.  The parents must be vigilant.  The baby grows strong and aware that they are here like no other.  Just as we grow to realise the significance of the Creator, this child realises the full significance.  By the age of thirteen they are fully aware of the story.  The pieces have fallen into place.  The day of their death will be just as significance.  It's a day many will write about.  The child already knows the meaning of this confusing world.  They know that they are the key to unscramble it.

So Tomorrow, as we wake, let us never be the same.  Let us celebrate and praise the only one worthy of all praise.  Let us celebrate the birth of Jesus- Jesu, Isa, Y'shua, Íosa, (the list continues) 

       

Twenty Three and Counting - Unbearable words

The Rose Window of Bourges Cathedral
(from rosewindow.com)

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Revelation 19:11-21

·      It is very difficult to avoid the terrible words that come with the end times.  It is a sad fact that all societies seem to experience a cycle of (male lead) violence.   Most countries in the world have experienced significant wars within the last 100 years.  Switzerland and Sweden are exceptions in Europe.  But Switzerland is one of the few countries in Europe to still require conscription of young males into the army.    The power we read about in the bible is never straightforward.  Jericho's wall fell at a trumpet blast.  Violence seems to be intrinsic to the fabric of this world.

      My thought is that just as we have the freedom to sin, so to the Lord has the power to crush, but this is not what he is about.  The rod of iron is present, but it is not used as we might use it.  

      Through the disaster comes hope.  There is power in The Word.  This is expressed in art, in music and creativity.  These are such fragile things.  They are banned in many societies.  Too dangerous.  

      One more day until all this mess is sorted out!

      

Twenty Two and Counting - Where did the time go?

                                       

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:28-29

Soon and very soon...Before you know it:  we will wake up on Christmas day.  Soon will be the day of Judgement (as Miss Flight says about the Jandyce judgement in the court of chancery in Bleak House).

In my mind we all die at the same instant.  From the creator's perspective we are on this earth for an instant, and then gone.  Our ends approximate to about the same moment. 

And then is the day of Judgement.  What images have been conjured up of many hundreds of years! The doom paint in St Thomas Salisbury is a fine example.  

What do I think?  For me I hold onto three things.

Just as I love my children (and more) my creator loves me.

Just I never want the relationship I have with the ones I love to end, so it is with the one who loves me.

This life is but a fore taste of treasures to come.  I see the wonder of nature and know that this is not it.

Twenty One and Counting - All for one, and one for all

Kumbh Mela, India- Largest peaceful
gathering of humans ever known.

 "You must call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins"

So spoke the angel of the Lord to Joseph, the Virgin Mary's betrothed, when the young man had heard to his consternation  that she was to give birth to a child.

What do we mean when we say that Jesus saves us from our sine, that he has saved us, is saving us, and will save us?  (From the opening lines of Peter Ridley's book, 'Why call his name Jesus' (2nd Ed.).

It's getting tense.  Has-is-will.  What's going on?  It seems incredible that there was something planned from the beginning of time.  That is miracle happened in BC nine months.  That this particular conception and birth was for all people and all time.  That's it's effect is also for the end of time.

America's National Institute of Corrections estimates that 117 billion people have been born so far on this planet.  How many more people are to come?  One birth for all these?  

There is one statistic I am sure of.  Count me in.  This one birth was for me.

Twenty and Counting - Peace like a river

 

High Water,
by Canadian Artist Mellissa McKinnon (sold)

Even before the pangs of birth, a son will be born.

How strange, the significance of one event.

We will go through with it; the birth of a nation.

Rejoice and celebrate Jerusalem!

Drink deeply in this perfect moment.

As a baby draws comfort from its mother’s breast.

Through Jerusalem will flow a river of peace and prosperity. 

                                                                                           Isaiah 66

Most cities in the world are built round a river.  Fresh water is essential to life.  The picture of our perfect home in the future Jerusalem.  From the Garden of Eden, we move to the walled city.  The walls speak of containment and safety.  The river speaks of life and vitality.  The city speaks of community and solidarity.  We are made to live as a community, and for our lives to be intertwined.  

Nineteen and Counting - Danica

Constellation by Joan Miro

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:16

My colleague Danica told me that her father-in-law told her that her name meant 'the devil'.  Apparently Danica in polish is the morning star. And yes I did quote those verses back on day five (Isaiah 14:12).  So what's going on here? 

My enquiries have shown me that the 'morning star' is full of illusions.  It appear low in the sky, so fits with the idea of Satan as 'a fallen angel', fallen from high in the sky.  

The morning star is bright and penetrating also.  It stands out from the others.  Our eye are drawn to it.  I like the idea also that we have to discern what is good, and what evil.  Sometimes what appear good, is not so, and visa versa.  

Eighteen and Counting - Joy comes in the morning

 

The Color of Joy by Michael Durst fineartamerica.com

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;

 praise his holy name.

5 

For his anger lasts only a moment,

    but his favour lasts a lifetime;

weeping may stay for the night,

    but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:4

As all things have a beginning, middle and end, so does suffering.  It may be here now, but it is not for ever.  Nothing is forever in this world.  Joy can live with suffering.  Joy is the characteristic of those who live with their creator.  We may not have a single word in common, but I recognise my fellow sibling in creation through the shared experience of joy.

Seventeen and Counting - Kept in the dark

So when will Jesus come again? 

You already know; the day will be the most unexpected. 

It will be ‘like a thief in the night’. 

People will say, ‘everything is secure’, then disaster will begin. 

Like the first pangs of birth, there will be no going back. 

You already know this and have nothing to fear. 

You live in the light and all is clearly illuminated. 

At night people get drunk and fall into stupor. 

We stay clear-headed and alert, protected by faith and love. 

We wear the helmet of confidence, knowing that we are completely safe.    

1 Thessalonians 5

I return to the theme of 'staying alert'. 

      There are events that happen, and then everything changes.  Birth, Marriage and death are all certificated, and are therefore clearly significant.  The day before a baby is born s/he lies constricted, like a bat, inverted in dark warm water.  Sounds are muffled in a watery world.  The parents can visit their local cinema.  They go out for a pizza. They have time for each other. The next day the baby is born, and this carefree lifestyle is over for a long time.  

We know that despite one day following another (I'm thinking of the film 'Groundhog Day'), this world is waiting in suspended animation for the next big thing.  The people of Israel waited hundreds of year for the coming of their messiah.  Their picture of what was to happen had been eroded over time.  We read that the people were fascinated to hear from Jesus himself about what King David meant in Psalm 110 about the nature of the messiah (see Mark 12).

 Let us tread lightly on this earth, because it is not secure, and Jesus is coming back. 

Sixteen and Counting - Chip off the old block

 

Gainsborough Family Portrait.

We know that we are dearly loved because we are called ‘children’. 

Many do not realise this. 

What is more, when Jesus returns we will see him clearly and be made like him. 

Let us be pure now, just as he is pure. 1John 3:2 

This is the incredible thing.  Just as earthly parents choose to have children, and anticipate joy, so our Creator 'gave birth' to us.  Just as any thinking parent knows that some of being a parent will involve heart break.  Indeed that the act of being a parent may truly 'break their heart', so the creator knew the end of the story before it started.  I am reminded of Angela, who told me how she wept openly in a public bus on the way home from visiting her son in prison, and said to me, "there is worse than seeing your son die."  

      We how know our Creator wept only for a moment.  The pain is there, but so is the hope placed (not wished with crossed fingers) in our hearts.  The baby will be born.  We will be delighted.  Suffering will follow.  A figure on a cross.  But we will be made more and more like him.  Chip off the old block.

Fifteen and Counting - What's your goal in life?

The resurrection by Piero della Francesca’s
In the Town Hall of  Borgo San Sepolcro

I am only interested in Him, and the power that raised him from the dead. I share in his life, including his suffering and death, so that I too will be with him.  Philippians Chapter 3.

"I want to live a decent life.  To look after my family.  To enjoy life."

This seems a fair goal, and I am sure that it fits for the most people in the comfortable West.  It cannot be criticised.  But to my ears, it ain't half boring.  

To know the one who was there before the invention of time.  To know the one who has walked the dusty roads of the Levant.  To know the one who has experienced 'life after death'.  To know that this ancient Jewish story is not just about a great figure in history, a 'prophet', but is about a life for all lives.  This is to have a million pound in the bank, and to be able to draw on it at any time.

To share in Jesus' life; that a hard one.  Read about his life.  It was a tough road.  But not a second of it was boring.  For me, that is my greatest dread; 'to live a boring life'.  But to follow Jesus, to follow the route through the suffering, the death, and on to the resurrection.  This is my goal in life.

'To be like Jesus', and the other bit's will follow.

Fourteen and Counting - "Surprise!"

 

The Annunciation by Leonardo De Vinci, Uffizi, Florence.

As time passed the creator sent Isaiah again, to strengthen the king’s faith.

“Ask for a sign and it will give to you. Make it tough.”

But Ahaz said

“I’m not doing that. Playing around, that’s not my style.”

Isaiah was exasperated.

“Look, this isn’t just about you. It’s about the line of King David. There will be a sign - an impossibly

difficult sign also. A child will be born to a virgin mother. He will have the name ‘Restored Once

More’. He will understand justice from weaning. Before he grows up the threats you fear will be

gone. Until then your family will be safe. After that, the Assyrians and Egyptians will swarm over your land. They will come with a razor and scalp the hillsides. This is a hard message, and one to be respected.”

It's almost as if this secret is revealed though provocation.  Isaiah comes to help King Ahaz. It's important that the leader of the people knows he can trust his Creator.  But Ahaz will not play ball.  

Isaiah reveals that many impossible things will happen.  One, a miraculous conception.  The King's worries will pale into insignificance before this one.  Without protection, Israel will find itself kneecapped.  Without this child, we are all in for the chop.

Why do we refuse to heed the warning, given with plenty of time?  Nothing can stop the plans laid down before time.  The journey may look precarious, like 'leaping across a melting ice field' or traveling on a log down a raging torrent, as featured in many an action drama.  As with these films, you can be sure that the hero makes it through.  We know that our hero has made it through, and this apparent slip of the tongue has great significance for us all.

Thirteen and Counting - "Steal Away"

Art Thief with Dots II
By Daniel Maltzman (Sold)

 “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping garments on, that they may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”       Revelation16:15

Here are the lyrics to the "Steel Away to Jesus" (with a link to the King's Singers).

Written in about 1862 by Wallace Willis (composer of Swing low, sweet chariots), this song speaks of release from pain and suffering.  Wallace, as a freed slave, had experience much of this.  It is a song for Advent.

Steal away, steal away,
steal away to Jesus!
Steal away, steal away home,
I ain't got long to stay here.

1 My Lord, He calls me,
He calls me by the thunder;
The trumpet sounds within my soul;
I ain't got long to stay here. [Refrain] 

2 Green trees are bending,
Poor sinners stand a trembling;
The trumpet sounds within my soul;
I ain't got long to stay here. [Refrain]

3 My Lord, He calls me,
He calls me by the lightning;
The trumpet sounds within my soul;
I ain't got long to stay here.

Twelve and Counting - Why are we waiting?

Waiting, By Degas, John Paul Getty Museum.

I have not achieved perfection, of course not. But I know that the closer I get to Jesus, the more I

will be see from his perspective, and see the Creator’s plan. It’s like a race with a great prize in

store. It is worth pressing on to the finish line.

Everyone who has wisdom agrees with what I am saying. You can disagree on other points but this

truth is central.

Why not follow my lead? With tears in my eyes I have seen how some of you have got it so wrong.

If you are a citizen of heaven, you keep your eyes on Jesus and serve only one master. Jesus will

take our weak mortal bodies and change them into bodies like his own.

Philippians Chapter 3

Some things are worth waiting for.  You've heard of "wait here for the present."  Well, there is a prize on the way.  But as Paul says,  we are given bits of it before our (re) birthday.  Daily, as we spend time with our creator, we discover that thy are like the lover who can not wait for Christmas.  Bits of the gift are released before the special day.  Mercifully we will not find when the day comes that we get an empty box. 

It's like we are preparing for a special holiday.  We collect the things we need, and tick them off.  When the day comes we are off!

Eleven and Counting - "Come Again"

The Last Judgement by Rogier van der Weyden,
Hotel Dieu, Beaune, France 

 Look, he is before us, coming down to us from the sky, so that every single person will see, even those who hated and tortured him. And every nation around the earth will weep because of this suffering.

“I am from ‘A’ to ‘Z’,” says Jesus,

“The one at the beginning, and at the end. The one who is, who was and who is to come.”

Revelation One

37% of people in the UK ticked that they had 'no religion' according to the recent report taken from the 2021 census.  This seems like an honest reflection.  But will Jesus come again?

Jesus is recorded as saying that he will be back.  But we only have a written record of this.  Countless generations have been convinced that the signs were right for a return.    How can we know?

For me these are words we trust in.  We have to trust each other.  We have to trust our Creator.  When my wife tells me she will be back, when she leaves for work, I trust her.  When she is late home, I know where she is (likely to be M&S).  Why not with Jesus? (Not M&S though.)  As I get to know my creator better, the relationship is tested, as are all relationships the deeper we go.  There a things that we wait for.  A job for my sister-in-law (a good job).  Bigger things, like a swift end to the torture in Afghanistan and Ukraine. But these are of human construction.  As Brother Keith say regarding the matter of pray, "Pray about the things you can do nothing about yourself."  And so I pray about being ready for my end time, and the end time of this world.

Ten and Counting - What's up?

Archangel Michael defeats the devil.
Ignacio de Ries,
The Met, New York

 “At that time Michael the Archangel will stand guard over your nation. The anguish you will suffer will be greater than at any other time. But many will find that their names are written in the book of life, and will be raised up to eternal life. Others who have lived in shame will be disgraced. Those who are wise will shine like stars in the sky.”

“Daniel, keep this prophecy sealed up until the time has passed, so that many will have their knowledge increased.”

And then I saw two others standing on the opposite bank of the river. “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?” one called out.

“It will go on for a time, a time, and half a time,” was the answer.

I was not clear what this meant so asked, “how will this all finally end?”

No reply, but instead an exhortation:-

“keep this knowledge quiet. Many will be purified and cleaned by these trials. The wicked will not understand. From the time that daily sacrifice is ended, and the desecration is erected will be 1290 days. Blessed are those who wait 1335 days!”

This passage from Daniel fore tells this conversation Jesus has with his followers.  There was trouble ahead.  Why is this life so wearisome?  Full of striving and sadness? It is but for a time, and these trial have a meaning.  Nothing is without meaning.  Can we wait 1335 days?

Nine and Counting - Where are you from? No! Where are you really from?

Source of the River Severn,
Plymlimon in Wales.

 “But who do you say I am?” he asked his friends.  Peter immediately responded, “You are the one we were told would come and sort out all our problems.”  

“You’re correct” Jesus said, “Keep it quiet for the moment.”

Jesus began to explain what was going to happen to him.

“As Peter said correctly, we know that the one to sort out people’s mess must suffer terrible things.  The person will be killed by the ruling authorities, but only die for three days as he will be brought back to life.”  

Peter took Jesus aside and scolded him for talking this way.  “Oh Peter”, said Jesus, “Don’t let evil ways cloud your vision! See from the perspective of the Creator.”

Mark 8

"Where do you really come from?"  A line of questioning made infamous last week on the BBC and world news.  What makes it special?

It's to do with power.  If a 'thirteen year old' asked these questions it would be equally crass, but be much less news worthy.  It was the power and status of the enquirer that made it at the best, rude and insensitive, and at the worst, racist.  The situation is described by the transitional model below.

P=Parent, A=Adult and C=Child

The question of the age of the enquirer has also been brought into the discussion because should 83 years be also a consideration?  I think not.  83 years should not be generalised.  

How would the furore have progressed if the question could have been framed "What is your family heritage?" To which the replay might be, "sorry I'm here to talk about other things.  That's a bit of a personal question to ask."  The question also fits into the dialogue of 'who's in, and who's out.  The intention to harm might not have been there, but it was skating close to thin ice, and the cracks soon appeared.

Where am I from?  Where am I going?  Do I come from nothing, and return to nothing?  Physically the cells that formed me were once within my grandmother.  These cells were formed in my mother as she was a foetus, so I have been 'born twice'.  

Peter (above)  gets it right.  He knows where Jesus is from.  But he's not all there.  He doesn't realise that it is inevitable that Jesus'  destiny is to suffer.

Eight and Counting - To Infinity (and beyond)

"The Truman Show" (1998)

Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Marcus Du Sautoy in his 'Brief History of Mathematics' describes a young Georg Cantor at school being asked by his teacher "What is the largest number in the world?"  Cantor shouts out "A Trillion Billion!" 

"What about a Trillion Billion and One?" retorts the teacher.  "Well, I was close" replies Cantor.  He went on to make the study of infinity his subject.

Infinity hurts the brain.  The Greek agreed with this had it banned.  

Current models of the universe describe an expanding universe following 'the Big Bang'.   This means that the billions of galaxies we can see (or sense) are expanding out into space.  Is there an edge to space? What would it look like.  I am remined of Truman, in the film called 'The Truman Show', sailing out across the ocean until he hits the side of the film set, and realises he has been living in a cage all his life. 

In the past this was the 'Atlantic Ocean'.  What happens when you sail across it into infinity? 

It is actually impossible to hold infinity in our heads (hence banning it.)  For me, infinity is not the creator, just as the sun is not the creator, but it does help us understand that we are small players in a mightily world, and there might just be one who does hold things together in the palm of a hand.

Seven and Counting - Be Alert (Britain needs lerts)

 

Young Woman grinding corn.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence, Italy.

36 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

Matthew 24

This is a terrifying message that has made a deep impression on all Christian communities across all time.  The story of the flood has also been repeated across the globe and shows no let-up.

Flood risk affect 1.81 Billions says the World Bank

Tragedies often occur out of the blue.  But is this a tragedy?  All things set within the constraints of 'time' have a beginning, middle and end.  What about the next life.  Perhaps the future will not be subject to time, but something different; a different type of time.

Six and Counting - The Leviathan

 On that day a swift and terrible sword will cut out the core of wickedness in the world, 

The beast that is Leviathan.

Again the vineyard will be fruitful, protected by its creator.

Anger will become obsolete.

Peace will be restored.

The people of Israel will make peace with me.

What is pure and noble will be raised; all that is wicked and meaningless brought low.

What stupidity to turn away from your creator, your life source.

In that day a trumpet will sound.

Like handpicked grains of wheat, people will come from across the world to my mountain.

To the holy mountain of Zion.

Isaiah 27

The paradox is that 'the terrible sword' will cut out the core of wickedness.  This is the desire to hurt and harm.  Not only the self, but others around.  The greater the power, the greater the potential to misuse power.

Another paradox is that our saviour comes a lamb.  But this lamb has a lion within it.  Is violence always evil?  We think of the 'righteous war', but war always involves destruction, and destruction invariably harms the innocent.

For we live in this messed up, crooked world, and so we should not expect simple pure answers.  

But they do exist - not in this world, so we look to the next. 

To quote Emmanuel Kant,

“Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.”

Five and Counting - The Devil is in the detail

Mount Zaphon, also know as
Jebel Aqra, and Mount Kılıç
(Syrian-Turkish Border)

    

How you have fallen form heaven,

morning star, son of the dawn!

You have been cast down to the earth,

    you who once laid low the nations!

13 

You said in your heart,

    “I will ascend to the heavens;

I will raise my throne

    above the stars of God;

I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,

    on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.[b]

14 

I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;

    I will make myself like the Most High.”

15 

But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,

    to the depths of the pit.

Isaiah 14

What went wrong?  From the outset there was a tempter: a force of opposition to thwart and distort goodness. The presence is like faeces.   Normally we are careful with this and dispose of it down the loo.  But sometimes we trip up, and it is smeared across our face.  It is the stench that pervades war.

The spirit of evil is a subtle presence, present across the whole world and across all time. In some cultures the presence also made a 'god'.  In others the conflict is a struggle between good and evil.  For me the paradox is that the potential for the most vial acts imaginable are released into this world by the Creator of all.  How can that be?  It is our understanding that this will only happen once.  Next time this canker will be destroyed.  There will be no 'slipping up'.  I believe this is not because we won't be able to.  It will be because we won't want to.

We see evil motivations of violence drilled into all creation.  From the destructive force of the virus, which decimates bird populations, to the subjugation and enslavement of whole societies.

The force exists, but we have been given the presence of the Creator to help protect us and resist this force.  Just as it is possible for human to save the planet from self destruction, so with the presence of the Creator all of the tempters wiles can be overcome.  

So the demons of hell have been unleashed, but also with it, the protector, the presence of the Creator, who comes in the form of Jesus.

Four and Counting - Things can only get better

“La Jérusalem céleste“, extraite de la Tapisserie de l'Apocalypse du Château d'Angers, France.

As the life of the world comes to an end, people from all nations will come to their creator.

The creator will be on the highest mountain, all people will acknowledge the creator and bring

perfect praise and honour. The mountain is called Zion.

The creator will mediate between the nations and help them to settle differences.

Peace, unknown before, will be declared.

Weapons of destruction will be converted to useful means.

The decedents of Judah will walk in the light of their creator.

All meaningless wealth, powerful weapons, scheming alliances,

All this will be brought low - nothing will stand.

Don’t put your confidence in human power; ultimately it’s as frail as breath.

Isaiah Chapter 2.

Isaiah speaks these comforting words.  At the present we do not see this message in action.

A survey published in the Lancet shows similar high levels of anxiety about the state of the world amongst children.

Hickman et al (2021) Climate anxiety in children and young
 people and their beliefs about government responses to climate
change: a global survey.  The Lancet - Planetary Health.

It's not looking very good.  This is when it is necessary to trust that the one who creates is the one who decides how far things go.  The message is that goodness prevails.  But as we look forward to Christmas we know how this story turns out, with the emphasis on twists and turns.