Welcome to my Perching Post.

Conversion of St Paul

The 25th January is the date on which the Christian church marks a dramatic event in the life of St Paul. Paul – or Saul as he was initially known – became one of the chief apostles of the early church. After being convinced that his mission was to persecute the early followers of Jesus Christ he underwent a life changing conversion whilst on his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus.

Paul seeing a vision of the ascended Jesus — The Conversion of Paul

A vision of the ascended Jesus in brilliant light asking why he was persecuting him left him blinded. He was brought by his companions to the house of Ananias, a follower of Jesus, who cared for him and restored his sight. From that moment Paul began to preach Jesus of Nazareth as the long awaited Messiah and hope of the world.

Paul was responsible for much of the New Testament writings in the Bible. Some of his attitudes can seem outdated by modern standards but one of the most beautiful examples of his work comes in the first of Paul’s letters to the church at Corinth. It is sometimes called ‘The Hymn of Love’ and can be found in Chapter 13 of the First Letter to the Corinthians. It is an inspiring piece and has brought hope and comfort to many, often being read at both weddings and funerals.

Bride and groom on wedding day — Wedding Day

The passage finishes with the well known words, ‘And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.’

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas run from Christmas Day to the Epiphany, 6th January, the day on which the wise men arrived at the stable in search of the new born Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is a time of festivities and partying, taking in New Year celebrations and marking new beginnings. At a dark time of the year it is a time for lights, fireworks – and often, high jinks – as folk let their hair down and enjoy laughter, song and mirth. Harder to do, perhaps, this year as we have to observe social distancing and the restrictions that the current pandemic brings. But there have been many inventive ways in which people have shared fellowship, mirth and goodwill – even at a distance.

Person celebrating with fireworks — Festive fireworks to lighten the darkness

Of course, it’s also a time when folk take stock, looking back over the year that’s passed and thinking ahead to the new year just begun, with all its challenges, opportunities and excitement. Perhaps it’s new resolutions that might spur you on to do something different in your way of living – or maybe you want to take time to be thankful for many good things. However you spend this period, may it be a time of hope and optimism as we ring out the old and ring in the new.

Advent

This year Advent begins on 29th November. It is a time of waiting – expectation and preparation, not only for Christmas and the birth of Jesus our Saviour but also for the second coming of Jesus as king, judge and redeemer. Advent takes us into a period of reflection on what are called the four last things – death, judgement, heaven and hell. Sombre stuff – perhaps not your usual pre-Christmas focus. In these austere times, it might be nice to indulge in a little festive frivolity. But Advent provides – if we allow it to – the chance to reflect on how we prepare for the coming of the one who judges but also saves.

Light is a powerful and potent theme at this time of the year. As a student I loved the Advent carol service in the cathedral of the city where I studied. The service would begin in darkness ; then from the west end a single voice would break the silence with the opening lines of the Advent prose, ‘Drop down ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour forth righteousness; let the earth be fruitful and bring forth a Saviour.’ The choir, carrying candles, would proceed up the aisle to their places; as they progressed, the light would grow brighter until the whole cathedral was bathed in the warm light that only candles can provide.

Candles offer a warm, subtle light — The warm light of candles

The light comes so that the darkness can be removed. God comes into the world in human form so that sin can be driven away. Waiting for that light offers a time when we can reflect on how we need to let God’s grace work in our lives; allow his light to push the demons out so that his light can shine and there is simply no space for darkness.

In the cathedral mentioned earlier is the tomb of the venerable Bede. Above it are engraved the words:

‘Christ is the morning star, who when the night of this world is past, brings to his saints the promise of the light of life and opens everlasting day.’

– words that mirror Rev 22:16 at the end of the bible where Jesus says, ‘I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ Hope and light indeed.

Stars - wonders of the universe — Morning star – just one of the billions visible to us