Cathedral day and Christmas in Brisbane

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Our view from the Eye of Brisbane

We're off to Brisbane on the train. The airbnb is downtown at half the price of a cheap hotel. It's not the cleanest (totally guy-cleaned - my sons would have thought it wonderful?) but it has all the amenities and is near town.

The pool is filled with leaves from the enormous benjamina fig looming overhead; the pool filter is also not working, so my swimsuit stays in the bag.

I don't realize how Christmas-deprived I've felt until we hit the streets - the decorations, cheerful "Merry Christmas" greetings, and lights fill me up.

There's even a full-scale nativity scene in one of the church windows as we walk home.

 And at night, we walk through a street caroling concert - such fun to hear how "walking' in a winter wonderland" is transformed by Australia's 35o (mid 90s) heat into "sweating in the steamy summer land."

The kangaroo skeleton in the Brisbane Museum is the only kangaroo we see.

 The modern art gallery is showing its every-three-years-super-display of Asian art. An aboriginal artist has filled a room with a swoop of feathers tied to 8 traditional tools (rock, arrows, etc.). It's gorgeous.

A Muslim artist has used straight pins to create patterns on cloth hangings. Those have to be heavy!

The light streams onto a wall through the prism created by a bee installation: bees come through the glass tunnel to build their cones and deposit honey in full view (a few hours a day before the warden hides them behind a velvet panel.)

 There are the usual strange and textured offerings that only the artist understands, like this room-sized one. People near us scratch their heads.

 A tangle of textures is woven into an enormous wall hanging (this might be 1/100 of it).

There's also an eye-catching sculpture outside, an elephant tipped on its face. The river walk is lovely though.

Saturday

The day has come! Scott is being ordained as a deacon in the Anglican Church of Australia.

 I love being in spaces dedicated to the glory of God.

Scott spots us as he processions up the aisle.

Overhead, someone waves a fire-styled windsock to represent the presence of the Holy Spirit. (An incense substitute for the fragrance-sensitive? I miss the smell of worship.)

The liturgy for ordination is beautiful. Everyone-who's-anyone participates, from the archbishop to retired priests.

We love the words and the blessings spoken over Scott. We pray along - and ask God to anoint him for life and service.

After, there's a decidedly non-Baptist reception near the entry doors - with a variety of wines to accompany the coffee, tea, sushi, meats, and other delicacies.

From there, our friends invite us to their family home. The children buzz around and dip in the pool with delighted shrieks. We sit on a porch overlooking the yard. Waldemar talks theology with Pa, Scott's grandpa, and the rest of us eat a great meal and chat. I especially enjoy visiting with Sarah's mom -

we hear stories of Scott growing up, of the families' love for God, each other, and his Church. It is a refreshing time for us. Scott and Sarah drive us back into town. We crash into sleep without even eating supper. Ok, so we had some chocolate and tea ...

Sunday
Can it be time to fly home already? We're taking the first flight with a decent connection - but still miss the Children's Program at BIC. Sounds like it was great fun and a blessing, too.

Even the return views from the airplane are indescribable. I hold my breath, looking out the window and worshipping the God who oversees this planet - every corner has its beauty and a way to sustain itself (if humans cooperate).

   The airport transfer on our return is Bali - with its Hindu based culture.

Once we arrive in Bandung, W negotiates a taxi (3X the normal price, but our driver has been given time off). We lug our suitcases, filled with snacks, across the street and through the parking lot to the car. We are happy to drive into the gate, mid-evening.

Read more:

*In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

*Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:32

*When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

*Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:7-10 NIV*Clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24

Moravian Prayer: God, like a seamstress of salvation, sew for us clothing that fits us for your service; create a clean heart within us; redeem us from our ill-fitting vanities; and bless us with righteousness. We pray in Christ. Amen