Poem for the Day

Ode

by Joseph Addison

(after Psalm 19:1-6)

The Spacious Firmament on high,
With all the blue Etherial Sky,
And spangled Heav’ns, a Shining Frame,
Their great Original proclaim:
Th’ unwearied Sun, from Day to Day,
Does his Creator’s Power display,
And publishes to every Land
The Work of an Almighty Hand.
Soon as the Evening Shades prevail,
The Moon takes up the Wondrous Tale,
And nightly to the list’ning Earth
Repeats the Story of her Birth:
Whilst all the Stars that round her burn,
And all the Planets, in their turn,
Confirm the Tidings as they rowl,
And spread the Truth from Pole to Pole.
What though, in solemn Silence, all
Move round the dark terrestrial Ball?
What tho’ nor real Voice nor Sound
Amid their radiant Orbs be found?
In Reason’s Ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious Voice,
For ever singing, as they shine,
‘The Hand that made us is Divine.’

Quote for the Day

Henry Venn to missionaries in 1861: "avoid putting yourself before them as a leader; rather stand behind them as a prompter and counselor.".. "[P]rompting to self-action is more important than inducing men to follow a leader."

Ian Black: Epiphany ebay - unwanted gifts at the manger

Ian Black: Epiphany ebay - unwanted gifts at the manger: Did you get any unwanted presents this Christmas?  Some socks or smelly soap you won’t use, a CD of music you don’t lik...

Prayer for Mission and Unity

There is great power in this prayer of Bishop Stephen, used widely today in Chelmsford Diocese, if used to slowly and reflectively:

O Holy Trinity,

three persons but One God,

open our minds to know your will;

open our hearts to receive your peace;

open our hands to do your work;

give your church the unity which was Christ’s prayer;

help us live with conscientious difference;

forgive us when we gain the world and put our souls in danger.

You know what is good for us:

come by your Spirit and change us,

let your church reflect the beauty, diversity and hospitality that we see in you,

lead us to a place of graceful concord:

a self-forgetful love,

a turning back to Christ:

for with your grace to help we can be one,

and in your strength can strive to serve and bless,

and by your will can see your kingdom come.

Use us to the full;

and when we are empty, fill us afresh.

We know you love your church,

help us to love each other.

Unite us in the effervescent joy of your declaring,

but not just us – we ask it so the world may believe.

And in these days of uncertainty, we ask it in the name of him

who is our foundation, our salvation and our end, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Walking with Christ

Bearing in mind the Emmaus Road passage in Luke, his close friendship with Paul and the Emmaus Road mosaic at St Paul's Harlow, I love this article from LICC

Holding on in the New Year

The first time I went on a flume was with one of my daughters on holiday. They had become the rage well after my trips to the open air and chilly swimming pool of my boyhood. This one was in an inside pool, and heated!

But pondering the flume from the top, I'm glad I had my daughter to focus on. Hold onto her, and keep holding on to her - that was all that mattered.

So, down we went, and it was great! With a huge splash at the bottom.

The new year can be like that - huge uncertainties ahead. Who knows what is round the bend? But the difference is that we are the ones being held. We do not hold onto Christ - he holds onto us.

The gospel stories of Christmas and Epiphanies are all about new beginnings: a birth, a child, first trip to the Temple, the anxieties of new parents, magi seeking a strange birth, a new political rival perhaps, new encounters.... All sorts of people encounter him and it is the beginning of a new story, a new adventure for each one of them.

Each of them in their way must have felt as if they were going down a flume, with its twists, turns and uncertainties. Mary, Joseph, the magi, John the Baptist, Nathanael. Epiphany introduces to the first steps of disciples as they encounter Jesus, as they enter the flume of discipleship.

John's gospel focuses on the words, Come and See. That is what each person had the opportunity to do. Each had the opportunity to walk the journey ahead with Christ.

Some would struggle or fight against it. So it was for Herod. He wanted to come and kill. He saw Jesus as a threat. But even he could not escape the one who encounters each of us. Jesus escaped him (to Egypt). And Jesus would escape the latter day Herod through death itself into the everlasting journey of resurrection.

We do not need to hold onto Christ. He is already holding thee and me. This is what Joseph discovered as he was warned by the angel and finally settled in Nazareth (Mary's, not his, home town, as I read it).

But we do need to realise who it is that holds us, and that he does hold us. And we can respond to him. A child who trust to their mother or father in the flume of life is going to be happier and safer than one who struggles.