“And beyond this there lies in the ocean, turned towards the west and north, the island of Niatirb which Hecataeus indeed declares to be the same size and shape as Sicily, but it is larger, though in calling it triangular a man would not miss the mark. It is densely inhabited by men who wear clothes not very different from the other barbarians who occupy the north western parts of Europe though they do not agree with them in language. These islanders, surpassing all the men of whom we know in patience and endurance, use the following customs.
In the middle of winter when fogs and rains most abound they have a great festival which they call Exmas and for fifty days they prepare for it in the fashion I shall describe. First of all, every citizen is obliged to send to each of his friends and relations a square piece of hard paper stamped with a picture, which in their speech is called an Exmas-card. But the pictures represent birds sitting on branches, or trees with a dark green prickly leaf, or else men in such garments as the Niatirbians believe that their ancestors wore two hundred years ago riding in coaches such as their ancestors used, or houses with snow on their roofs. And the Niatirbians are unwilling to say what these pictures have to do with the festival; guarding (as I suppose) some sacred mystery. And because all men must send these cards the marketplace is filled with the crowd of those buying them, so that there is great labour and weariness.
But having bought as many as they suppose to be sufficient, they return to their houses and find there the like cards which others have sent to them. And when they find cards from any to whom they also have sent cards, they throw them away and give thanks to the gods that this labour at least is over for another year. But when they find cards from any to whom they have not sent, then they beat their breasts and wail and utter curses against the sender; and, having sufficiently lamented their misfortune, they put on their boots again and go out into the fog and rain and buy a card for him also. And let this account suffice about Exmas-cards.
They also send gifts to one another, suffering the same things about the gifts as about the cards, or even worse. For every citizen has to guess the value of the gift which every friend will send to him so that he may send one of equal value, whether he can afford it or not. And they buy as gifts for one another such things as no man ever bought for himself. For the sellers, understanding the custom, put forth all kinds of trumpery, and whatever, being useless and ridiculous, they have been unable to sell throughout the year they now sell as an Exmas gift. And though the Niatirbians profess themselves to lack sufficient necessary things, such as metal, leather, wood and paper, yet an incredible quantity of these things is wasted every year, being made into the gifts.
But during these fifty days the oldest, poorest, and most miserable of the citizens put on false beards and red robes and walk about the market-place; being disguised (in my opinion) as Cronos. And the sellers of gifts no less than the purchaser’s become pale and weary, because of the crowds and the fog, so that any man who came into a Niatirbian city at this season would think some great public calamity had fallen on Niatirb. This fifty days of preparation is called in their barbarian speech the Exmas Rush.
But when the day of the festival comes, then most of the citizens, being exhausted with the Rush, lie in bed till noon. But in the evening they eat five times as much supper as on other days and, crowning themselves with crowns of paper, they become intoxicated. And on the day after Exmas they are very grave, being internally disordered by the supper and the drinking and reckoning how much they have spent on gifts and on the wine. For wine is so dear among the Niatirbians that a man must swallow the worth of a talent before he is well intoxicated.
Such, then, are their customs about the Exmas. But the few among the Niatirbians have also a festival, separate and to themselves, called Crissmas, which is on the same day as Exmas. And those who keep Crissmas, doing the opposite to the majority of the Niatirbians, rise early on that day with shining faces and go before sunrise to certain temples where they partake of a sacred feast. And in most of the temples they set out images of a fair woman with a new-born Child on her knees and certain animals and shepherds adoring the Child. (The reason of these images is given in a certain sacred story which I know but do not repeat.)
But I myself conversed with a priest in one of these temples and asked him why they kept Crissmas on the same day as Exmas; for it appeared to me inconvenient. But the priest replied, “It is not lawful, O stranger, for us to change the date of Chrissmas, but would that Zeus would put it into the minds of the Niatirbians to keep Exmas at some other time or not to keep it at all. For Exmas and the Rush distract the minds even of the few from sacred things. And we indeed are glad that men should make merry at Crissmas; but in Exmas there is no merriment left.” And when I asked him why they endured the Rush, he replied, “It is, O Stranger, a racket“; using (as I suppose) the words of some oracle and speaking unintelligibly to me (for a racket is an instrument which the barbarians use in a game called tennis).
But what Hecataeus says, that Exmas and Crissmas are the same, is not credible. For first, the pictures which are stamped on the Exmas-cards have nothing to do with the sacred story which the priests tell about Crissmas. And secondly, the most part of the Niatirbians, not believing the religion of the few, nevertheless send the gifts and cards and participate in the Rush and drink, wearing paper caps. But it is not likely that men, even being barbarians, should suffer so many and great things in honour of a god they do not believe in. And now, enough about Niatirb. “
Friday 26 December 2008
The Imitation of Christ- Thomas A Kempis
He that knoweth himself well groweth ever more conscious of his own sinfulness, and findeth no delight in the praises of man.
I am oftentimes wearied by hearing and reading many things: in Thee, Lord, is all that I would have and can desire. Let all manner of learned men hold their peace; let all creation be silent in Thy sight; let Thou alone, O Lord, speak unto me.
Flatter not the rich; nor seek to appear in the prescence of great men. Associate rather with humble and plain men, with the devout and virtuous, and confer with them on the things that edify.
I am oftentimes wearied by hearing and reading many things: in Thee, Lord, is all that I would have and can desire. Let all manner of learned men hold their peace; let all creation be silent in Thy sight; let Thou alone, O Lord, speak unto me.
Flatter not the rich; nor seek to appear in the prescence of great men. Associate rather with humble and plain men, with the devout and virtuous, and confer with them on the things that edify.
Monday 22 December 2008
Free!
"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds." Matt 6:25
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matt 11:28
"So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." 1 Peter 5:6
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matt 11:28
"So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you." 1 Peter 5:6
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Christlikeness
"Do NOTHING out out selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
Sometimes I meet people who completely overwhelm me by their kindness. They are totally concerned with other people and seemingly don't give a thought about themselves. I just read the biography of a guy called Eric Liddel today, and he was one such person. Someone wrote of him, "He was not particularly clever and not conspicuously able, but he was good. He wasn't a great leader or an inspired thinker, but he knew what he ought to do and did it." His whole life was focused on living out that very attitude of humility and considering others as better than himself. And it made an impact on so many lives!
The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It never sounds that attractive to be described as someone who is kind or good or gentle. In fact, it can sound pretty dull and soft and weak. But actually, living out these characteristics is probably one of the hardest and most powerful parts of being a Christian. They are the mark of a Christian! I sometimes find myself aiming for something other than this description, but this is really what my life should be about.
So, having thought about all this stuff, I started thinking about how I could live it more and not just know it. But thinking about being patient is totally different to actually being patient when you are stuck in a massive queue or being kind when you have a million other things on your mind. And I also realised that the challenge is to have pure motives: these things are not done to be seen and praised. I am not trying to please people, but to serve them and love them. And I realised that I have a long way to go yet.
Eric Liddel found the key- he spent time alone with God every morning, in His prescence, and that set him up to live the rest of the day in the manner that he always did, with love and concern and regard for others. This is not something that can be done alone! Everything about us is 'me' first, but this whole attitude is totally different to that. I also realised that perhaps a bit of effort is required on our part too- not just sitting back and letting God work through us. Thinking through the day to come- what qualities are you likely to need? Joy? Patience? Kindness? And how can you live them out? It is the way that in every single little thing we should sacrifice our own needs and desires to those of others.
Is this what it means to be Christ-like?
Sometimes I meet people who completely overwhelm me by their kindness. They are totally concerned with other people and seemingly don't give a thought about themselves. I just read the biography of a guy called Eric Liddel today, and he was one such person. Someone wrote of him, "He was not particularly clever and not conspicuously able, but he was good. He wasn't a great leader or an inspired thinker, but he knew what he ought to do and did it." His whole life was focused on living out that very attitude of humility and considering others as better than himself. And it made an impact on so many lives!
The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It never sounds that attractive to be described as someone who is kind or good or gentle. In fact, it can sound pretty dull and soft and weak. But actually, living out these characteristics is probably one of the hardest and most powerful parts of being a Christian. They are the mark of a Christian! I sometimes find myself aiming for something other than this description, but this is really what my life should be about.
So, having thought about all this stuff, I started thinking about how I could live it more and not just know it. But thinking about being patient is totally different to actually being patient when you are stuck in a massive queue or being kind when you have a million other things on your mind. And I also realised that the challenge is to have pure motives: these things are not done to be seen and praised. I am not trying to please people, but to serve them and love them. And I realised that I have a long way to go yet.
Eric Liddel found the key- he spent time alone with God every morning, in His prescence, and that set him up to live the rest of the day in the manner that he always did, with love and concern and regard for others. This is not something that can be done alone! Everything about us is 'me' first, but this whole attitude is totally different to that. I also realised that perhaps a bit of effort is required on our part too- not just sitting back and letting God work through us. Thinking through the day to come- what qualities are you likely to need? Joy? Patience? Kindness? And how can you live them out? It is the way that in every single little thing we should sacrifice our own needs and desires to those of others.
Is this what it means to be Christ-like?
Saturday 13 December 2008
Wake up!
Last night I went out for a friend's birthday and had an interesting conversation with a guy about God and Christianity. He had a lot of questions and was still undecided on exactly what he believed, but one thing he said stuck with me. It was along the lines of, if he knew God as Christians claim to, then it would completely alter his life. Could he just go on living, drifting through? Of course not!
So then there are those of us who know God. We know that our future is secure, that God is alive and that we are able to know Him. But we make such a poor effort of making that general knowledge! I don't think there is a single Christian who genuinely loves and knows God who wouldn't say that what they believe is by far the most important thing in their life. But don't we see- this is the most important thing for everyone! How much time have we wasted? How often are we timid and how easily do we get comfy and fall asleep to our commission? Wake up!
Asleep in the Light (Keith Green)
Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord"
You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?
Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets
Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay
God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?
The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
Don't close your eyes
Don't pretend the jobs done
Come away, come away, come away with Me my love,
Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, my love.
So then there are those of us who know God. We know that our future is secure, that God is alive and that we are able to know Him. But we make such a poor effort of making that general knowledge! I don't think there is a single Christian who genuinely loves and knows God who wouldn't say that what they believe is by far the most important thing in their life. But don't we see- this is the most important thing for everyone! How much time have we wasted? How often are we timid and how easily do we get comfy and fall asleep to our commission? Wake up!
Asleep in the Light (Keith Green)
Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord"
You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?
Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets
Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay
God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?
The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
Don't close your eyes
Don't pretend the jobs done
Come away, come away, come away with Me my love,
Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, my love.
Friday 12 December 2008
End of Term Reflections
Well, I have survived my first term of Vet Med. And I am well and truly ready for a Christmas break! The pace at Uni is ridiculous- doing all the time but never being. And I miss that! I like having time to just 'be', with nothing particular to do. I guess it's up to me to make time for that tho- something I want to try to do more of next term. Part of that is my lack of spending time being with God every day and reading His word. I got used to having a couple of hours every morning free to do that at home, but suddenly here I feel like I am trying to squash everything into a few minutes, watching the clock, waiting for whatever is coming up next. The more I settle in, the easier it gets, but I certainly realise how much difference it makes to the way I live! My love for God must be constantly growing- otherwise it is shrinking. And that is not what I want at all.
I has been a real rollercoaster of a term. Hard in lots of ways but also amazing. I am loving my course now, but a couple of weeks into the beginning of term I had serious doubts about what I was doing. The work was hard, I didn't feel as though I'd made any good friends there, and I was wondering whether I was interested enough to stick out 5 years. I'm not sure what changed- maybe it is because I have made some great friends, maybe it is that I have got back into the studying mindset, or maybe it is that I am more aware of what I can do with my degree at the end of it. Sometimes I still wish I was doing art or english or something a bit more laid back and creative. But I wouldn't change courses given the chance! I have been a bit of a slacker on the work front for the past few weeks, so I have a fair bit to do over Christmas. Generally people on my course work way too hard, though, so I reckon it is better to sway more this way than that.
I have been going to a big church in the city centre called 'Woodies' (Woodlands Church) and I feel pretty at home there now, although the size of it is still a bit strange for me. I am used to being somewhere where I am known and I know people. But here I am still a real newcomer and I don't like having to make an effort to get to know people. Still, I know that once I move out of the city in my 4th year I will likely go to quite a small church again, and so it seems good to get the experience of being part of a big chuch while I am here and have that opportunity. I would also love to get more involved in serving in some way, but I don't just want to do what I have always done for the sake of it. But anyway, things take time, and I know that by next year I will probably feeel very much part of Woodies.
It has been kind of hard to get a good balance between doing things at church or CU and spending time with people from my course or my house or societies I have joined. I have visited both extremes of neglecting one and indulging in another, but seem to have a reasonable balance now. One thing I have been challenged on is how I am supposed to live generously. With time and money especially. It is easy to become stingy about both because as a student you are lacking in both! But I need to learn that neither belong to me and so I should gladly give to people who need either of them. Time is probably harder than money- I always have things that I want to do, and if someone else asks more of my time than I expect, I am usually quick to shrug them off. But Jesus was so generous and always had time for people, so I need to as well.
It's been hard finding out while away from home that my Mum has cancer. But it has also made me realise that I already have some really good friends here and I am so thankful for them. I have realised yet again that God's power is made perfect in my weakness. I have realised that I have no choice but to lean totally and completely on God, to trust in Him alone.
I am so glad that God directs my steps and delights in every detail of my life.
I have learnt that I don't need to complicate my life unnecessarily. Keeping it simple is best.
'If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve around myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have a heart at leisure from itself, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.' Amy Carmichael.
I has been a real rollercoaster of a term. Hard in lots of ways but also amazing. I am loving my course now, but a couple of weeks into the beginning of term I had serious doubts about what I was doing. The work was hard, I didn't feel as though I'd made any good friends there, and I was wondering whether I was interested enough to stick out 5 years. I'm not sure what changed- maybe it is because I have made some great friends, maybe it is that I have got back into the studying mindset, or maybe it is that I am more aware of what I can do with my degree at the end of it. Sometimes I still wish I was doing art or english or something a bit more laid back and creative. But I wouldn't change courses given the chance! I have been a bit of a slacker on the work front for the past few weeks, so I have a fair bit to do over Christmas. Generally people on my course work way too hard, though, so I reckon it is better to sway more this way than that.
I have been going to a big church in the city centre called 'Woodies' (Woodlands Church) and I feel pretty at home there now, although the size of it is still a bit strange for me. I am used to being somewhere where I am known and I know people. But here I am still a real newcomer and I don't like having to make an effort to get to know people. Still, I know that once I move out of the city in my 4th year I will likely go to quite a small church again, and so it seems good to get the experience of being part of a big chuch while I am here and have that opportunity. I would also love to get more involved in serving in some way, but I don't just want to do what I have always done for the sake of it. But anyway, things take time, and I know that by next year I will probably feeel very much part of Woodies.
It has been kind of hard to get a good balance between doing things at church or CU and spending time with people from my course or my house or societies I have joined. I have visited both extremes of neglecting one and indulging in another, but seem to have a reasonable balance now. One thing I have been challenged on is how I am supposed to live generously. With time and money especially. It is easy to become stingy about both because as a student you are lacking in both! But I need to learn that neither belong to me and so I should gladly give to people who need either of them. Time is probably harder than money- I always have things that I want to do, and if someone else asks more of my time than I expect, I am usually quick to shrug them off. But Jesus was so generous and always had time for people, so I need to as well.
It's been hard finding out while away from home that my Mum has cancer. But it has also made me realise that I already have some really good friends here and I am so thankful for them. I have realised yet again that God's power is made perfect in my weakness. I have realised that I have no choice but to lean totally and completely on God, to trust in Him alone.
I am so glad that God directs my steps and delights in every detail of my life.
I have learnt that I don't need to complicate my life unnecessarily. Keeping it simple is best.
'If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve around myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have a heart at leisure from itself, then I know nothing of Calvary Love.' Amy Carmichael.
Thursday 4 December 2008
Back to Blogging
This site has become a bit of a storage space for bits of books that I like- proper blogging hasn't happened in a while. But that is about to change! I am feeling the need for some creativity in my science-filled life, so the plan is to resurrect the blog and get writing again. I don't know if I will have the time to write or anything of interest to write about, but lets give it a shot anyway.
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