Doing a preaching course. Last night’s homework was to prepare a two minute description of a biblical location…
The city bustles with the festival
Travellers from out of town
But this is an anonymous house
Amongst the dreary suburbia of the city
Nothing significant ever happens here
The street remains typically quiet
The room an upper storey rooftop extension
doesn’t get a lot of use these days
Perhaps a grown family, left home
Now, life happens downstairs
Upstairs a tribute to years past
Accumulated non-essentials.
The room was not expecting company tonight
Hurried preparations the minimum to ready for a feast.
Tables moved
Cushions arranged
But betrayal from the thin layer of dust
that would otherwise be dealt with
had time allowed.
Tonight, for a change, the room is full, heavy with somber celebration
Lit lamps cast dramatic orange flames
that, despite best efforts,
do not quite reach the furthest corners
The staleness of the air
mingles with the distinctive aroma of burning oil,
the presence of thirteen men
and the smell of a sacred meal.
Lamb, herbs, bread, wine.
This is so powerful and evocative, Chris. I've read it three or four times now and each time I get something new out of it. Thanks for sharing this. What a remarkable gift you have.
Wow. Thanks for sharing this, Chris!