Carols in the Domain

Last night, with another 90 odd thousand I was in the Domain for the traditional Carols. When we began by singing O Come all Ye Faithful, I was struck. How many of the performers, and crowd, actually knew what they were singing?

There was a generation of people in the crowd who were simply singing words. For most people the Carols are a tradition of Christmas. But it doesn’t highlight thoughts of Jesus. To me, sadly, the carols seem to highlight the secularised Christmas, that Christmas is a time to be together, together singing, laughing, dancing and holding candles; together with loved ones.

It brought to my mind the words of Jesus, as he looked out on another crowd, his words are recorded in Matthew 9:36

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a Shepard.

Postscript: I've just caught the following story via AMS: 'Anti-religious' fervour makes for a muted celebration

+++

I was really moved by the songs, O Holy Night, and The Prayer as well.

The Prayer
I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

I pray we'll find your light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night, remind us where you are
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
Help us find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that's broken will be mended
And we'll remember we are all God's children
Reaching out to touch you
Reaching to the sky

We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above
We hope each soul will find another soul to love
Let this be our prayer, just like every child
Who needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

(Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster)

O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Words: Placide Clappeau
Music: Adolphe C. Adam

Miss Sarajevo

Is there a time for keeping your distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for cutting hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to run for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colours
Different names you find it hard to spell

Is there a time for first communion
A time for East 17
Is there a time to turn to Mecca
Is there time to be a beauty queen

Here she comes
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

Dici che il fiume You say that the river
Trova la via al mare Finds the way to the sea
E come il fiume And like the river
Giungerai a me You shall come to me
Oltre i confine Beyond the borders
E le terre assetate And the thirsty lands
Dici che come fiume You say that as a river
Come fiume... Like a river...
L'amore giunger Love shall come
L'amore... Love...
E non so più pregare And I'm not able to pray anymore
E nell'amore non so più sperare And I cannot hope in love anymore
E quell'amore non so più aspettare And I cannot wait for that love anymore

Is there a time for tying ribbons
A time for Christmas trees
Is there a time for laying tables
And the night is set to freeze

Miss Sarajevo
Music by: Passengers (U2, Brian Eno) featuring Luciano Pavarotti

Another weekend and another Wedding…

Well, for every season there is a time, and it seems that it is marriage season for my friends. I’ve recently posted my thoughts on marriage. So I’m not going to do that again but what I do want to leave is two thoughts from yesterday.

Firstly, the wedding yesterday was rather non-traditional, no flower girls, no groomsman, no rain shelter (read Church Building). The wedding may have been different, but it was typical Pete and Gabby. They wrote most of the service themselves; and then they spoke to God, each other, and also us. It was beautiful, because it did nothing but speak of their frailty and God’s strength. It spoke of how though the vows they made were amazing, and seemingly impossible to keep, God would be with them, and empower them. The rings would be a symbol for them, and to us, of not simply the promises they made, but the God who will enable them to keep these promises, and who keeps His.

But at the same time, part of me wondered why it is that some ministers are not able to conduct wedding ceremonies outdoors. For it is the people inside the rain shelter that consecrate the building, so they consecrated people gathering outside, are also part of the church? What are other people’s views on this?

The other thing I wanted to share is just how much I love Christian “weddings”. You catch up with people you may not see regularly. But on top of that, yesterday God taught me so much through conversation with other Christians, and that was a really blessing, being able to meet people for the first time, or the first time in a long time, and being able to just talk about God, Christ, and what that means for us. And that’s a beautiful thing – I guess it’s not surprising, in the sense that Christian’s have so much in common in one sense, our life goal, purpose and direction is determined by Christ.

It’s actually interesting, but I’ve learnt a whole lot about what to think about marriage from my friends who are now married. The last three weeks, have taught me so much about marriage, and more fundamentally, God’s love for his bride, the church.

Growing up in the 21st Century

Reading the newspaper today has convinced me that I would not want to be a child these days

For a start as Karen posted, there is the way our nation has been treating children. The Age today published an article tackling the mandatory detention of children with reference to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and Through the Looking glass.

The article particularly mentions the ‘double bind’ (best illustrated by a sign labelled ‘Ignore this sign’), and the classic dialogue in which the character Humpty Dumpty claims ‘When I use a word – I say what it means’ or its not about the meaning of the words, but who is in control.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with the government’s stance on border control, again the point is made; how we treat those who are the weakest amongst us; or those at the dawn of there life shows our humanity. This Christmas, there’s a sense in which I am embarrassed by Australia’s lack of Humanity, (and its’ inability to keep promises it has made). The treatment of asylum seekers, and as the article highlights, the manipulation of communication with asylum seekers goes beyond what is moral or defensible.

However one also needs to say, its not simply these children our nation has failed. A Canadian Educational Developmental index highlights, that over one third of Australia’s Children are either vulnerable or high risk of not achieving their educational potential.

The article claims: that the most protective factor – in any socio-economic circumstance - whether their mother works, or not, whether they go to child care, or not, whether they are black, white, immigrant or native born, whether they are clever or not - is an intact family. Children need both mother and father.

In this age of human liberty, it is adult needs and wants that are having a lasting impact on children. According to another article in the Australian, 90 per cent of respondents to a Relationships Australia survey believe that the trend toward dual career households was jeopardising relationships as neither partner would compromise individual goals for the sake of relationship, or family.

As I read these stories I grieve. Our papers, seemingly more each day highlight for us man’s total depravity. We desire rights, yet will not be accept our responsibility. We want the right to carry, bear, adopt or abort children, yet are unwilling to reconsider, sacrifice, or put on hold our desires, and think through the costs of raising and teaching our offspring.

Yet, there is hope, in the offspring of a virgin born over 2000 years ago, hope for restoration was fulfilled. Though sometimes, the certain hope, is hard to see.

Human Rights Day - December 10

The world speaks of rights. I have the right to an education; I have the right to believe what I can. I have rights for what I can do; and what can not be done to me. Perhaps its time for a change lets no longer talk of our rights, rather our responsibilities; that is what we should do, with what has been entrusted to us.

Our world ignores responsibility; when my team loses, it was the referee’s call; If I spill coffee, it’s someone else’s fault, or "my life is ruined because of my parents"; we fail to take responsibility for ourselves.

As a Christian, I am responsible for the way I live my life, I am responsible for every idle and considered word; I am accountable before God. I am accountable for how I respond to the responsibilities he has given to me.

What are my responsibilities as a citizen, as a son, as an employee, as a brother, my responsibilities to those who are weaker than I, to those who are come, and to those who have passed?

20 000 000

The ABS have told us on Thursday, or Friday last week, the Twenty-Millionth Australian was born.

This projection is based on the estimated resident population at 31 March 2003 and assumes growth since then of:

* one birth every 2 minutes and 6 seconds,
* one death every 3 minutes and 56 seconds,
* a net gain of one international migrant every 3 minutes and 51 seconds leading to
* an overall total population increase of one person every 2 minutes and 4 seconds.

Each of these souls are valuable to God, He knows all their names, he has numbered their days, they are all made in His image.

May God have mercy on us all.

Human Myth: A Hero with a thousand faces

I’ve read a number of Sydney Morning Herald articles with have made reference to A Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, and have been fascinated by it.

The book builds on Jungian Psychology – Jung has argued that humans are programmed to respond to particular symbols or archetypes. The symbols occur in every tribe, and are a frame of reference by which the world is viewed – Jung claims these may be wired into our brain, or taught to us by our parents. Campbell’s book claims that it’s not only symbols that we are wired to respond to, but plot-lines as well. The major argument of the book is the myths of all human society follow the same path. There is a common story or an archetypal human myth.

David Dale writes Jung had spoken of the Magician, the Earth Mother, the Philosopher King, the Trickster, the Demon, the Temptress and the Mentor and Campbell spoke of The Call To Adventure, Crossing The Threshold, The Road of Trials, Atonement With The Father, and the Rescue From Within. (SMH, Jung at Heart, 30 January 1999)

The impact of this book on Cinema is noticeable: a Disney script-writer Christopher Vogler wrote a memo suggesting elements of that classic tale could be discerned in every successful movie, the memo was headed: A Practical Guide to The Hero With a Thousand Faces, and later expanded into a book: The Writer's Journey - Mythic Structure for Storytellers and Screenwriters. Earlier George Lucas' Star Wars was the most notable cinematic example.

First we find our Hero in The Ordinary World (Luke on Tatooine). Then he or she receives a Call to Adventure (the finding of the message in R2D2) to seek someone or something, usually from a surprising messenger. Often he Refuses the Call and has to be pushed into the quest. (Obi Wan reminding Luke there is nothing left for him on Tatioone)

Then a wise old Mentor offers help (Obi Wan) and the hero crosses The First Threshold (Getting off Tatooine; rescuing Leia). On the journey, the Hero encounters Tests, Allies and Enemies and is allowed to have a bit of fun with Tricksters and Shapeshifters. (Han Solo and Chewie perhaps fulfil the role as Trickster)

Then he must make The Approach To The Inmost Cave (The Death Star) via various Threshold Guardians, and in it he must face The Supreme Ordeal (the Death of Obi Wan, the trash compactor). He overcomes his deepest fear (an evil usually labelled The Shadow), and seizes The Reward which may be love, knowledge or a sacred stone. (The Battle plans of the Death Star)

Then he starts on The Road Back (to the Death Star), often chased by minions of The Shadow, and must go through another ordeal which will lead to a form of Resurrection (the destruction of the Death Star) so that he can finally make a triumphant Return With The Elixir (freedom - and peace for the rebels).

Another example, Four Weddings And A Funeral, explained by a Disney scriptwriter Christopher Vogler: (1). Charles (Hugh Grant - a classic Trickster Hero) is in his Ordinary World, sleeping in when he should be at a wedding. (2). The call to adventure is the appearance of Carrie (Andie MacDowell), to whom Charles is attracted. (3). He does not respond quickly enough to her question, "I was just wondering where you're staying tonight", but sets off to find her, encountering various Mentors (4) and outsmarting a Threshold Guardian to reach her room (5). In the morning he fails a Test of his sense of humour (she is a Shapeshifter) and so must continue the quest to win her love, via various Allies and Enemies (6). The Approach to the Cave (7) is the shopping trip to buy Carrie's wedding dress, and The Supreme Ordeal (8) is her wedding. At the funeral of his Mentor, Gareth, Charles finds greater self-awareness (9) and begins a Road Back (10) in the form of his own wedding plans. But at his wedding, he goes through a Resurrection (11) and over the end credits we see his Return with the Elixir in the form of a happy relationship and a baby with Carrie.

But the idea that there is one narrative that we are wired for is an intriguing one. Since there is one narrative for history; beginning with the author of History creating the world, then revealing himself to this world and becoming a character in the story, being killed by His creation, to redeem them for as a people for himself.

Leave the shotgun at home. It’s their day.

I went to a wedding on Saturday. That’s not unusual. The majority of Australian’s still want to or desire to get married at some point. But it was a different wedding. Weddings today are more about achievement than showing or defining relationship. Adele Horin in the Sydney Morning Herald this weekend explained the new trend - couples after surviving birthing classes, crying, sick babies, are ready to get married, because of what they have achieved together. Weddings are now because of what has been achieved, and no longer idealistic, optimistic, and hopeful.

Yet on this weekend: dear friends of mine made a statement; their relationship is one that will end with death. They are now making a courageous step, that for better or worse, in health through sickness they will love, cherish, respect and honour each other. As the minister said, it’s a love that asks, ‘how can I show my love now’.

They don’t know what their love will cost them, but they will find out. They haven’t lived together, but from Saturday afternoon, they are husband and wife. The wedding was not about legitimising what they have achieved together, it is about what is to come. At a wedding we see people write a blank cheque, promising to love each other whatever the cost. Life is better and worse, life is filled with sickness and health, wealth and poverty. The bride and the groom promise that through all that life has to put before them they will remain faithful and true to each other, they will continue to put each other above themselves, they will spur each other to grow, and later raise their children in a faithful committed and loving relationship.

Though old taboos have fallen; the substantial majority of people live together before they are married (72%); almost one-third of children are born to mothers who are not married, and 18% are born to cohabiting couples, marriage as instituted by God is a beautiful thing. It declares, to all, the relationship between two people. And it is not about what is achieved or earned.

Marriage says to the world filled with divorce, and growing singleness, that the relationship will not simply last through these trails, but will continue to grow and thrive, in good times, and through bad.

Marriage for the Christian is not about the Bride and the Groom alone per say, it is about showing or witnessing to the world, the Love of God for his people. The Love of a God who loved before time, loved in spite of our enmity; who loved faithfully; and loved sacrificially taking Jesus to the Cross: that sinful people would be saved.

I Cannot Tell

by W Y Fullerton; to the tune of Danny Boy.

I cannot tell why He whom angels worship
Should set His love upon the sons of men
Or why, as shepherd, He should seek the
wanderers
To bring them back, they know not how
or when
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethlehem's manger was His only
home
And that He lived at Nazareth and
laboured
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world
is come.

I cannot tell how silently He suffered
As with His peace He graced this place
of tears
Or how His heart upon the cross was
broken
The crown of pain to three and thirty
years
But this I know, He heals the
broken-hearted
And stays our sin and calms our lurking
fear
And lifts the burden from the heavy
laden
For yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world
is here.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall
worship
When at His bidding every storm is stilled
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love
are filled
But this I know, the skies will thrill with
rapture
And myriad, myriad human voices sing
And earth to heaven, and heaven to
earth will answer
At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world
is King!