The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Psalms

Greetings Dear Reader,

The Psalms are one of the parts of the tapestry where the crimson thread is foremost.  It is woven in the many poetic images.  The writers of the Psalms write during both bounteous and lean times.  They all tell the same tale with differing emotions. 

The Messiah is seen both God and man. He is the suffering servant and the coming King.  The Psalms touch on his work as God among men.  They speak of his suffering, death, and resurrection.

The contemporaries of Jesus were looking for King to conquer their enemies.  They missed that there might be a humble aspect to the Father’s plans.  The servant comes to live as the perfect Jew under the law and fulfill its intent. 

The beauty and raw honesty of the Psalms reminds us that our feelings can be engaged in our interaction with Christ.  During the time in which I live I find that I share the frustration of the writers.  I grow weary of God’s waiting to make all things good again but also understand that I do not understand everything.

I rejoice in the beauty of who God is and all that he has made but see the flaws in the world that deeply need healing.  I see the wonder that God see in us as expressed here but I also see our failures and wickedness in not honoring the Father as the Father.

I seek the blessing and try to live in a way that avoids the failures.  I fail, but like the writers rejoice that God is merciful to a heart that seeks his.

The Poem of your Life – Michael Card

Life is a song we must sing with our days,

A poem with meaning more than words can say

A painting with colors no rainbow can tell,

A lyric that rhymes either heaven or hell

We are living letters that doubt desecrates,

We're the notes of the song of the chorus of faith

God shapes every second of our little lives,

And minds every minute as the universe waits by

The pain and the longing, the joy and the moments of light

Are the rhythm and rhyme, the free verse of the poem of life

So look in the mirror and pray for the grace,

To tear off the mask, see the art of your face

Open your ear lids to hear the sweet song,

Of each moment that passes and pray to prolong

Your time in the ball of the dance of your days,

Your canvas of colors of moments ablaze

With all that is holy, With the joy and the strife

With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life

With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life

The pain and the longing, the joy and the moments of light

Are the rhythm and rhyme, the free verse of the poem of life

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Job

Greetings Dear Reader,

Of the Old Testament writings Job is the most ancient.  We think he is a contemporary of Abraham.  We know that the crimson thread is bright in his part of our tapestry.  I have written extensively about Job and he is one of my favorite people. 

He knows he needs redemption.  He knows that his redeemer lives and that no matter when it happens, his redemption will come.  He knows that even if his body has turned to dust that he will see the Father in the flesh. 

We also have the illusionary moments.  When God confronts Job one of the questions asked is “will the ox spend the night by our manger”?  The question does not become significant until the birth of Christ. 

From the oldest record of God’s dealing with man the question of redemption is at the center of things.  The need for a redeemer to deal with sin is vital.  In this great work of poetry we see a man lose everything and cling to righteousness and redemption.  In our darkest moments we can focus on the fact that the Advent of Christ is the great moment in getting things back to good.

Job is blameless and upright.  Even he sees the need for redemption.  He sees the position that we all have.  We all need redemption even if we only compare ourselves to Job.  If he can see his constant need then so can I.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Esther

Greetings Dear Reader,

During the times when Israel is captive there are repeated attempts to destroy the entire nation.  The danger is no clearer than Esther’s part in our tapestry.  An angry prideful Haman wants to destroy an entire people because a someone will not bow down to him.

Esther takes great risk to save her people.  She appeals to the king and her people are rescued.  Haman is hoist on his own petard.   The remnant of Israel is saved.  The weaving can continue and the history is silent for the next four hundred years. 

The poetry and the prophets will show a brighter image of the thread.  It will be woven among the historical images.  It will show the hurt and anger of the Father at his chosen people rejecting him.  They well set the stage for the Father to speak his clearest and final word; Jesus.

It would have been so easy for everyone in this history to give up on the promise.  Many did.  As we turn away from narrative history and tour the soul of a nation we will also see the heart of the Father revealed.  In that heart we will see the tapestry grow vibrant in both joy and tragedy.  We will see the world unfold and the redemption grow clear.

The Final Word – Michael Card

You and me we use so very many clumsy words.

The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard.

When the Father's Wisdom wanted to communicate His love,

He spoke it in one final perfect Word.

He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son.

His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.

Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.

And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine.

And so the Father's fondest thought took on flesh and bone.

He spoke the living luminous Word, at once His will was done.

And so the transformation that in man had been unheard

Took place in God the Father as He spoke that final Word.

He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son.

His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.

Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.

And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine.

And so the Light became alive

And manna became Man.

Eternity stepped into time

So we could understand.

He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son.

His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one.

Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine.

And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Nehemiah

Greetings Dear Reader,

When rebuilding a city in the ancient world one needed walls. Nehemiah sets to work to protect the temple.  He builds a hedge or stone around the temple to protect it.  He also insists that the people become committed to following the law.

The world waits.  All of life hangs in the balance.  All eternity waits in the wings. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Ezra

Greetings Dear Reader,

Where I live it is Thanksgiving Day as I write this.  I have much for which to be thankful.  I cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like to return from captivity to my desolated homeland.

Ezra returns to Israel to oversee the repatriation of his people and the rebuilding of the temple.  Zerubbabel will be the one who builds it.  They will return the sacred items stolen by Babylon and begin to live out the law once again.  The tapestry begins to reflect mournful waiting. 

In their time of exile they have renewed their understanding of their need for a Messiah.  They have also been cured of their worshiping other gods.  Sometimes the thread is hard to see because it weaves its way among things that seem to overshadow it. 

During the rebuilding the vital nature of the law is rediscovered.  The love of the Father is seen in the way he nurtures the people back to their home.  Having paid the debt of Sabbath years they return longing for the promised King. 

Ezra echoes that his people are ready to have God with them.  They long for him to come and redeem them.  They will not remember the order of things but they will build a place, a nation to receive him. I have plenty and I am thankful for it.  I also realize that I am waiting and in exile until the King returns.

 O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Amy Grant

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times did'st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – 2 Chronicles

Greetings Dear Reader,

When Solomon dies his son Rehoboam shows little wisdom.  His actions cause all but Judah to revolt and divide.  The era of the divided kingdom is marked by calamity, death, and destruction. 

Kings of the people of God actually murder those who speak for him.  Those calling for the nation to return to their covenant with God are sawn in two and burned alive.  The northern kingdom returns to child sacrifice and Baal worship to mark its independence.

Our tapestry takes on its darkest images since Genesis.  Through it all the line of David is preserved.  Through it all the crimson thread is woven in the warnings and portents of the prophets.  At the end of the historical books we see a surviving group sent back to Jerusalem.  The thread is woven back into the brighter fabric. 

What we see at the end is hope; the hope of a someday Messiah.  The hope of things getting back to good is alive.  Before we confront the silence we will look at the poetry and the prophets.

No matter how dark the world gets the tapestry continues to unfold from the loom.  We know the King will come.  We know the Advent will come bur for now we pause the history to look at the promises that it will.

Then They Will Know – Michael Card

I will speak

I will wait

I will send prophets among them

That they might hear

That they might see

And understand how much I love

Them

Then they will know that I am Father

They they will know I am Lord

They'll walk with Me

And be My people

I'll walk with them as their God

As their God

I will strike

I will scourge

And carry out vengeance upon them

But I will heal the wound

Do I make

And tenderly take them back to me

Then they will know that I am Father

They they will know I am Lord

They'll walk with Me

And be My people

I'll walk with them as their God

This is heaven

This is salvation

This is their great hope and

Mine

He will come

My own Son

A Word faithful hearts can't help hearing

And by His death

With His last breath

A Father's forgiveness comes flowing

Then they will know

That I am Savior

I am Redeemer and Friend

Immanuel

The God who is with them

The God who gives all He can

He is salvation

He is the kingdom

To know Him is paradise

Then they will know that I am Father

They will know I am Lord

I am Lord

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – 1 Chronicles

Greetings Dear Reader,

Much of learning is review.  Chronicles reviews the history of the kings of Israel.  The first book holds a piece very important to our tapestry.  The crimson in our redemption thread is the blood.  The sacrifices instituted at Passover continue in the tabernacle.

David realizes that he lives in a palace and that his God lives in a tent.  This troubles him and he wants to build a proper place for the center of God’s presence in Israel.  This is the moment where David expresses the depth of his love for the Father.  This is the moment when the Father promises the Son. 

Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba will build the temple.  Out of the ashes of David’s adultery and murder will rise the symbol of redemption for a nation.  The Temple of Solomon will be the place where all Israel can gather to remember where we are headed. 

They will fail.  They divide and are ruined.  The failures of David and Solomon eclipse the good they do and the nation will fall.  The temple will be plundered and torn down.  It will be rebuilt but the beauty and glory of Solomon’s temple will not be seen again.

As more brightness and darkness is woven into the tapestry we see the shining beauty of the temple and are reminded that what it symbolizes is far more important.  It is the reminder that a King will come.  He will be both prophet and priest.  He will be God and sacrifice.  It is never about the building.  It is about the Advent of the child who will become the man.

Take Me In – Catherine Mullins

Take me past the outer courts,

Into the holy place,

Past the brazen altar.

Lord I want to see Your face.

Pass me by the crowds of people

And the priests who sing Your praise.

I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness,

But it's only found in one place.

Take me in to the holy of holies.

Take me in by the blood of the lamb.

Take me in to the holy of holies.

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – 2 Kings

Greetings Dear Reader,

Woven into the tapestry are individuals who speak for the Weaver.  The prophets, with whom we will spend most of our future time in this series, serve as our narrators.  The prophet whose thread we see the most clearly is Elijah. 

We see his faith and work chronicled as he begins to attempt the rescue of a house divided.  He will put his life on the line many times to speak for the Father.  He will warn, predict, and work miracles.  He will be the forerunner and the foreshadow.

The world needs redemption.  Even the people the Father chose as his example to love are divided, chase lies, and ignore the covenant that was made with them.  As the sand rushes through the glass the nation is in danger.

The Father lets his child kick the traces and endure the consequences of that choice.  He sends Elijah, Elisha, Nathan, and so many others to love them and warn them.  The nation rises and falls on the wavelength of good and evil kings.  He puts warnings in the way.  He reminds them of the cost of disobedience. 

He promises redemption will come but asks them to live as the example they are supposed to be to the world.  They ignore him.  They choose to abandon faith and following.  They embrace the lie that there are other truths outside of the Father and equate gods of stone and wood with the living God. 

God has not removed his protection.  Israel has stepped out from under it.  The tapestry takes on such a dark aspect.  Hope seems overshadowed by death and destruction.  It is the prophets not the kings who will guard the thread.  It is the in their portents and warnings we will follow the threads of hope.  They are the guardians of the Advent.

Recapture Me – Michael Card

Fleeing what I do not know

Recapture me, recapture me

I flee to where I cannot go

Recapture me

The bridge between my heart and mind

Recapture me, recapture me

You come across myself to find

Recapture me

You come and knock on imaginations door

You come to show to

To know You is what eyes and ears are for

With ears that hear but not receive

Recapture me, recapture me

With eyes that see but can't perceive

Recapture me

Your paradox and poetry

Recapture me, recapture me

You speak one sacred certainty

Recapture me

You come and knock on imaginations door

You come to show to, to know You is

What eyes and ears are for

(what eyes and ears are for)

(What eyes and ears are for)

To know You is what eyes and ears are for

(What eyes and ears are for

What eyes and ears are for)

Through prophets madness make me wise

Recapture me, recapture me

Through foolish faith open my eyes

Recapture me

With sacred words, with silent words

Recapture me, recapture me

You're the living Word that must be heard

Recapture me

Recapture me

Recapture, recapture me

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – 1 Kings

Greetings Dear Reader,

Where does wisdom begin?  Why is wisdom to be preferred?  The height of Israel’s golden age is marked by a man after God’s own heart and a man who prefers wisdom over power.  They move along the line of Jesse toward the manger.  They also forget that the root of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

As it so often sadly is a nation wrestles defeat form the jaws of victory.  The leaders in power forget the holy nature of their charge.  They take too much for themselves.  They use the sacred trust given them to feed their own desires.

They also still fear the Father in the right way.  When David is confronted with his sin he makes no excuses.  He returns to the center of faith and following.  He is flawed but has faith.  He is known as a man after God’s heart. 

It is the yieldedness that causes the Father to choose the permanent pattern of the crimson thread.  We see David and Solomon with all their flaws.  We are made aware that we are imperfect and why we need redemption.  It is in this flawed family that the Father establishes his throne for all time. 

The Father never wanted Israel to choose a king over divine rule.  When they did he chose to weave that into the tapestry of redemption.  Advent reminds us that the Star of Bethlehem, the Star of David is the star that leads us to a King who redeems the flaws of all kings.

Under the Sun – Michael Card

He was a King, a teacher, the wisest in the land

Driven by a passion, just to know and understand

He opened wide His eyes sought to see beyond the lies

And found a world beyond His understanding

Under the sun, He saw the vanity of vanities

He bravely looked at life and saw futility

Torn between the facts He saw and all he ever had believed

Between His hopes and what He'd clearly seen

He hoped it might be wisdom so He set himself to learn

But found the more the knowledge the more sorrow and concern

And so He turned to pleasure, to folly and to cheer

But still His laughter, tasted of His tears

Under the sun, it was all vanity of vanities

In wisdom or in wine, He found futility

In knowledge or in folly, for the wise man or the fool

Hopelessness will always be the rule

And yet there is a time for everything that's under heaven

A time to run, a time to stand and fight

So in the face of cold despair, no matter what seems right

Remember, darkness drives us to the light

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – 2 Samuel

Greetings Dear Reader,

I had intended to further focus on David and his place as the king after God’s own heart.  His life is full of imagery that weaves into the tapestry of Christ.  In the same weaving is someone who placed it all on the line for what the Father has decreed.

Jonathan is the son of Saul, the first king of Israel.  He is also David’s best friend.  He knows that David has been chosen by God to be the king.   He is aware that his father has been deposed by God.  He understands that for God to have his way he will have to die.

Jonathan defends David and seeks to protect him even though he knows that he must die for David to be King.  No greater love exists than a man who will lay down his life for his friend.  As the tapestry begins to take shape we know the family from whom the story will unfold. 

We must not forget the cost involved in dying the threads with which we weave our story.  The Advent costs the Father his dearest blood.  In that gambit for our souls he does not view lightly the others costs involved.  Every grain of sand flowing through the glass matters to the Father. 

When time reaches its fullness the son of a mad king will be a thread of loyalty that made the crimson thread possible.  Jonathan will have given his life for the king that would be the ancestor from whom Jesus descends. 

From Jonathan I can learn better how to treat a friend.  I can clearly see the price one is willing to pay to see that the Father has his will.  I can follow knowing that Jesus is that kind of friend to us all.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – First Samuel

Greetings Dear Reader,

This book marks the transition of a nation from theocracy to monarchy.  The last judge, Samuel and the first kind, Saul are chronicled.  In the shadow of Saul’s reign is the anointed king, David. 

When Saul fails to keep his obligations to God the tapestry returns to the thread of Boaz and Ruth.  Their grandson David is anointed.  In his madness Saul seeks to kill him.  The thread foreshadows another mad king who will seek the death of an anointed one.

Our tapestry now has a family line of royalty form which will rise the King of Kings.  The other picture we capture is the second role that Jesus will carry.  The first is high priest, the second king, and the third will evolve as kings rise and fall.

The weaving takes on opulence here.  Kings require palaces and attendants.  Israel is entering her golden age and there is so much possibility.  Golden threads are woven alongside our crimson one.  Greatness is possible.  We, however, know the outcome.   The greatest king of Israel will be born humbly in a lowly cattle shed.

We will decorate, celebrate, and live out the opulence of our season.  Were we to remember that it is not the trappings that make the season we might find it easier to share in the humility.

Once in Royal David’s City –

Once in royal Davids city,

Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her Baby,

In a manger for His bed:

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ, her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And His shelter was a stable,

And His cradle was a stall:

With the poor, and mean, and lowly,

Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

For He is our childhood's pattern;

Day by day, like us, He grew;

He was little, weak, and helpless,

Tears and smiles, like us He knew;

And He cares when we are sad,

And he shares when we are glad.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,

Through His own redeeming love;

For that Child so dear and gentle,

Is our Lord in heaven above:

And He leads His children on,

To the place where He is gone.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Ruth

Greetings Dear Reader,

There is a romantic aspect to tapestries.  Even the ones that depict horrible events carry romance in the artistry and style of their existence.  In the tapestry we are weaving there are moments of true romance.  It is true with the story of Ruth and Boaz. 

Ruth is loyal.  Ruth loves her mother-in-law, Naomi even though they are from different cultures.  When Naomi returns to Israel, her home Ruth goes with her.  That act of loyalty puts her on the road to an eternal important place in history.  It also marks the clear evidence that the tapestry of redemption includes all people everywhere. 

The story of Ruth is a short read and worth your time.  Boaz first starts with caring for the life needs of Ruth and Naomi.  He sees their need and makes provision for it out of love for their humanity.  It is in this act that he finds his love goes beyond the human needs.

Boaz is the example for us of Christ in this tale.  The Church is imaged as the bride of Christ.  The tapestry plays out a Divine Romance (an excellent book by Gene Edwards).  When this thread is woven into the tapestry Ruth becomes the Grandmother of King David.  The stage is set for the line of David to be woven into the picture.  The precedent is set to weave everyone into the tapestry of redemption.

What began as someone assuring that a refugee is fed grows into an example of love and belonging.  The Advent of Jesus and his place as redeemer is set in this simple love story where the Father throws down handfuls of substance on purpose. 

It is no accident that the romance starts with seeing the needs of others and meeting them from the heart.  It is the thread of love that is the crimson in our tale.  It is the heart of the Father that provides for us so that he can get the space necessary to redeem everyone.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Blood is Thicker than Water

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

My heart is so hurt tonight.  I really believe that Christ followers are supposed to be an example to the world.  I really believe that through love and kindness we can make a difference.  I am ashamed that some of my fellow followers think for a moment that we should refuse refuge to anyone who is unsafe where they are.

In the country we are blessed.  We have more than we need.  We are mostly safe.  Still there are those who claim to follow Christ who say we should deny a safe haven to people because:

• They believe differently than us
• They might be terrorists in disguise
• They could possibly pose a threat
• We have our own poor to care for here
• We have homeless veterans
• We have homeless full stop

To all of this I say give up your lattes, summer cottages, or whatever excess you have and fix it all.  If the church would get off of their collective, tax exempt haunches and decide to end human suffering at any cost they could do it.  There are widows and orphans begging for bread.  How can we forsake them and say that we are righteous?  How can we sit by while children suffer?  How do we dare to care more about the football score than the statistics of those in need?

Mankind is OUR responsibility.  I heard someone self-righteously say that blood is thicker than water.  If God had that attitude he would not have shed his blood for these ugly bags of mostly water that we can humans.  I am conservative. I believe in God, the Bible, and that Jesus died for the sins of all humans. 

I also believe that he made it clear that our standard of success as followers is our love for the Father and our love for each other.  As I have said so often this includes friends, family, neighbors, strangers, and enemies.  Blood is thicker than water.  It is the God’s Blood that compels us to offer cups of cold water in his name.  It is Jesus that is the water of life.  We must not further shame the Gospel by ignoring the needs of others.  How can we hope for the world to hear us if we let them suffer, starve, and die?

We need to get off or our collective blessed assurance and make a difference in the world.  Please do this.  Please rise to the challenge and be more that banging gongs and crashing cymbals.  Please do something to end the human crisis that gives a foothold to those who murder and kill in the name of God.

If you find offence in my words please ponder this:  ISIS openly kills those who do not believe as they believe.  How are we any better if we do it through inaction and prejudice?  How can we call ourselves followers of the living Christ when turn away the needy out of fear?

Jesus took us in when the best we had to offer was filthy rags.  The Son shed is blood amidst mocking and torture to give us life. Now real humans with real needs are begging us for refuge.  We have the opportunity to pour the love of God into their lives.  What are you going to do about it Dear Reader?  In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, our Anointed Redeemer, I ask you, what are you going to do?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Judges

Greetings Dear Reader,

In those days there was not king in Israel.   The Father never intended for Israel to have a king.  That was to come much later.  The collective desire was to be like other nations.  The collective demand was to have a human king. 

Once again the Father is rejected.  Over and over the people who followed the fire and were fed on manna reject the one who led and fed them.  The pattern of repentance, rescue, and rejection repeats for decades.  The Father keeps trying to show his chosen adopted people that faithfulness matters.  The learn for a time then return to the things that reject God and harm their lives.

There is a king in the future for Israel but none of the men, even the good ones, were the intended king. They demand their own way.  They abandon faith and following for what they want.  The choose death over life over and over again.  Down the way, as the sands drift through the glass they will crown a final king.  I do not mean Herod.  They will seize the crimson thread warned about in Judges and demand that Jesus be crowned and lifted up. 

From that lofty perch he will complete the tapestry of the manger.  The crimson thread will be dyed through his death.  Advent is a time of joy with a corner in the smile for the time to come. 

Crown Him – Michael Card

Crown Him, crown Him, the angry people cried

Crown Him, crown Him, let Him be crucified

Crown Him, crown Him, let Him not remain alive

Crown Him, crown Him, He must be crucified

So a circle of pain and love

Came down upon His head

It was not for anything, He'd done

Or for anything, He'd said

For all His life, He'd sought to show

They were only living a lie

But they didn't care to hear, oh no

They just wanted Him to die

Crown Him, crown Him, the angry people cried

Crown Him, crown Him, let Him be crucified

Crown Him, crown Him, let Him not remain alive

Crown Him, crown Him, He must be crucified

Soon a circle of glory

Will be placed upon His brow

And He'll come to reign forever

Though it may not seem so now

Then our time of tears and trouble

Will seem only like a dream

As we stand before the glory

Of our Savior and our King

Crown Him, crown Him holy angels sing

All Glory honor, power and grace

Crown Him King of Kings

Crown Him, crown Him, those redeemed and damned

Will bow with me and humbly, sing worthy is the Lamb

Crown Him, crown Him holy angels sing

All Glory honor, power and grace

Crown Him King of Kings

Crown Him, crown Him, those redeemed and damned

Will bow with me and humbly, sing worthy is the Lamb

Crown Him, crown Him holy angels sing

All Glory honor, power and grace

Crown Him King of Kings

Crown Him, crown Him, those redeemed and damned

Will bow with me and humbly, sing worthy is the Lamb

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Joshua

Greetings Dear Reader,

This book is not the first time we encounter Joshua.  His thread was on the loom when Moses sent scouts into the Promised Land.  He was one of the ones who believed the land could be taken.  Now he is the captain of Israel.

That is the part of Joshua that is our crimson thread.  He leads the chosen of God into the land.  He leads them to their safety and freedom.  It is no small thing that Joshua can also be translated as Jesus. 

We see faith and mercy in Joshua.  We also see strength and power.  The sum of it all is that we have a captain of our faith.  We have a leader who personified what man can be if he will devote his life to faith and following.

The Advent of the incarnated Christ is the beginning of our captain giving us an example and person to follow.  We are at war.  We have enemies and we have detractors in our own ranks.  Every moment is either lived for Christ or it is not.  I must work hard to assure that mine are Christ’s.   After all if we are to love our enemies we must admit that we are at war. 

No Rusty Swords – Michael Card

Don't you know the battle's raging

And you got to join the fight

There's an army of the darkness

And an army of the Light

There's a side that fights for Satan

And a side that's for the Lord

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

Christ has made the final move

So our side is sure to win

He became like us so we would have

A chance to be like Him

It seems strange so many fall back

When the victory has been won

You just need to ask yourself

Which side you're on

Don't you know the battle's raging

And you got to join the fight

There's an army of the darkness

And an army of the Light

There's a side that fights for Satan

And a side that's for the Lord

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

There's a fact you need to understand

Before you join our side

You need to know when Jesus calls

He bids you come and die

He's invaded Satan's kingdom

And He's claiming all His own

When the battle's over

He will lead us home

Don't you know the battle's raging

And you got to join the fight

There's an army of the darkness

And an army of the Light

There's a side that fights for Satan

And a side that's for the Lord

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Deuteronomy

Greetings Dear Reader,

So much of the effort in the tapestry construction is trying to get back to good.  So often when the Father tries to guide, nudge, or push us in the right directions we response with resistance, reticence, and rebellion.  As the Father attempts to deliver and enforce the Law there is rebellion.

His chosen people, displeased with the Creator’s choices, decide to kill the man who helped free them from slavery.  They want to stone the one who intercedes for them.  They will destroy the one who protects them from destruction.

The Father chooses differently.  Instead of the loving nurture he wishes the people face the wrath of omnipotent God.  He sends a plague to wipe them out.  He tells Moses that he will start over with him.  He offers to continue the promise to Abraham through Moses and his descendants.  He offers to change the weave of the tapestry so that the crimson thread comes through the family of Levi.

Moses loves those who are trying to kill him.  He acts.  He says for his brother to run to the altar.  He insists that Aaron offer incense to appease the anger of God.  He puts his life on the line to defend his enemies. 

Even as the plague moves through the masses and people die by the hundreds Moses makes a further offer to God.  He says that if God will spare Israel that he is willing to be eternally condemned.  Moses takes an eternal stand between the living and the dead.

The crimson thread is woven in mercy.  The Father hears the offered sacrifice of his child and relents.  He sees that Moses’ heart beats with his own.  I often wonder if Moses ever regretted his choice.  Either way, the thread is woven.  The Babe of Bethlehem is born to do the same.  He comes to stand, or rather hang, between the Living God and dead men.  He comes to stem the plague that threatens us all.  He becomes the high priest, the incense, and the offering.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Numbers

Greetings Dear Reader,

Foreshadowing and symbols are the timbre of our tapestry.  As we weave each thread through the framework we gather an idea of the symbols and what them mean.  Even the most adventurous plans meet with difficulty.  If not the story would be bland.

Israel has such a strong presence of God to guide them.  The cloud and the fire guide them.  They complain about thirst and the rock gives them water.  They complain about the lack of variety and God gives them quail.  They complain once too often and God sends them serpents. 

The people God has chosen and rescued reject him over and over.  No matter what he does the Creator never quite measures up for them.  He does not do things the way they wish so they disobey and complain. 

They complain again and the serpents bite and kill.  God tells Moses to make a symbol of the serpent.  He says to the people that all they have to do look at the symbol of their death and they will be healed.  It works.  It is a clear portent of a future time when we can look up to a raised symbol of death and find life.

These wandering former slaves have all the evidence they need that God is with them.  They are living the hope that is carried on the call for Emmanuel.  We will do this.  We will have all we need to have faith and follow.  We will have the opportunity see what can come of belief and choose to reject God because he does not do things our way.

We will, like Israel, worship the symbol instead of who it symbolizes.  We will demand that God fit into our mold instead of following the cloud and fire as he leads.  As we approach Advent the symbols will abound.  We must look past them to the Messiah they portend.  In him the tapestry is complete.    

Lift up the Suffering Symbol  - Michael Card

They grew tired of bread form heaven

And of Moses and of God

They longed to live the life of slavery once again

So they muttered and they grumbled

And they whimpered and they whined;

With each faithless word, sank deeper into sin

He took the pen of pain once more

To write upon their hearts

The lesson they had been so slow to learn

But writing in the sand, the fiery serpents came to call

With a holy message and a bite that burned

Lift up the suffering symbol

And place it high upon a pole

Tell the children to look up and be made whole

So Moses made a metal snake,

And nailed it to a pole

Sent out the saving word so they would know

That the symbol of their suffering was now the focus of their faith

And with a faithful glance, the healing power would flow

In time the brazen serpent became an idol in the land

And they left the living God to worship clay

When they forgot their suffering

Soon true faith had disappeared

So some idolize a brazen cross today

Lift up the suffering symbol

And place it high upon a pole

Tell the children to look up and be made whole

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Leviticus

Greetings Dear Reader,

The idea of a priest is common in many faiths.  As the freed slaves wander the desert the Father establishes a priesthood to act is a mutual representative.  Even this is a shadow of what is to come.

The family of Levi is asked fill the priesthood role.  It is the priest who administers the activities of atonement under the law.  It is the priest who stands before the Father and offers the sacrifice.  It is the sacrifice that affirms our faith in the sacrifice to come.

Jesus came as man so that he could become our sacrifice.  He because both the high priest offering the sacrifice and the lamb who embodied the sacrifice.  He became the scapegoat.  The crimson thread weaving our tapestry becomes both maker and medium.  God shows us that he will be both artist and materials.

The eternal Son became our sacrifice and died.  He also lives to make intercession for us that the price for our sin has been paid.  As I turn my heart to ponder the gift of the incarnation I must ponder the gift of life.  In the Babe of Bethlehem walks the high priest who will be the atonement. 

As we travel the road toward Bethlehem we have a high priest who walks with us.  He does so knowing that his part is harder than ours.  He does so knowing he stands before the altar of the cross to offer up his own life for ours. 

Perhaps that is the most impactful thing.  He knows what he is doing.  Even as the Fatheer gives the law to Moses and explains the role of the high priest he knows he will pay for the party with his dearest blood.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Scaffolding

Greetings Dear Reader,

The family that migrates to Egypt becomes a nation.  They grow, prosper, and are enslaved in Egypt.  The Father has not forgotten his promise to Abraham.  He is prepared to begin the fulfillment of those promises.

The primary promise of the tapestry is the promise to make his family a blessing to everyone.  The intent is to weave that tapestry all the way to Bethlehem.  To get there he sets in place a celebration of the future. 

The Passover becomes the annual portent of the coming redemption.  The thread is woven into a thick cord here that will provide the border of our tapestry.  It is this annual feast that being with the exodus from Egypt that marks the reminder that all of the year revolves around redemption.

The year proceeds and culminates around the celebration of Passover for the children of Abraham.  Through this sacrifice and supper will come the supper and sacrifice that will be our redemption.  Through the Cedar wine flows the promise of a blessing for all nations. 

The crimson thread of Christmas is found in the growth of the family of Abraham into a nation.  Nationally they are to pause and celebrate the coming Messiah every year.  The realization of that Messiah begins in a manger in Bethlehem.   The exodus to Israel provides the needed nation that contains the needed Bethlehem.

The tapestry has a framework that will hold the remaining threads of our redemption story. The promise of God with us and among us has a beginning.  The Passover in Exodus is a key component of that beginning.  I must never forget in the midst of my celebrating that the incarnation’s purpose is death.  Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

I celebrate the child but know that my sin will crucify the man.  How can I not honor what he asks me to be as his follower.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Amy Grant

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times did'st give the Law,

In cloud, and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Crimson Thread of Christmas – Genesis

Greetings Dear Reader,

After the creation the Father declared all things good.  The first thing he saw as not good was that man was alone.  He showed the man that his need was genuine and fulfilled it.  All is good

Man intervenes in the good.  He chooses to disobey God.  The crimson thread begins with the need redeem man’s disobedience.  God already knew what he would do about it.  He sets the frame for the tapestry he will weave for us.  He begins with the promise that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent. 

The meaning of this will unfold but the sand of time drifts on through the glass.  The population grows and families form.  Man increases in his capacity to invent evil.  God intervenes to slow him down.  He chooses the family through which he will weave the redemption tapestry.  He chooses the people who will carry his banner even though he knows they will soil and disgrace it.  He knows that any people would.

The family he chooses grows.  They migrate.  They are blessed and are feared for their prosperity.  Their benefactor is a son who is a symbol of the Son to come.  The thread weaves a nation from a man.  What starts as creation that is good and filled with all the potential of a loving God ends in a coffin in Egypt.

As I turn my heart toward the giving of thanks I must see my part in the effort of redeeming things back to good.  As I ponder Advent I must remember the beginning so I understand what can be if I follow faithfully.

The Beginning - Michael Card

In the beginning was the beginning

And in it all began

All that they had was God and the garden

The woman and the man

Before creation learned to groan

The stars would dance and sing

Each moment was new, every feeling was fresh

For the creature king and queen

But deep in the heart of that beautiful garden

Forbidden truth was found

That they were deceived, disobeyed and were driven

From that holy ground

But beside the tree of disobedience

The tree of life did grow

The gift of its fruit and eternal beginning

But they would never know

The beginning will make all things new

New life belongs to Him

He hands us each new moment saying

My child begin again

My child begin again

You're free to start again

This very moment is filled with His power

That we might start anew

To break us away from the past and the future

He does what He must do

And so the Alpha brings to us

This moment to commence

To live in the freedom of total forgiveness

With reckless confidence, with reckless confidence

The beginning will make all things new

New life belongs to Him

He hands us each new moment saying

My child, begin again

My child, begin again

You're free to start again

The beginning will make all things new

New life belongs to him

He hands us each new moment, saying

My child, begin again

My child, begin again

You're free to start again

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)