One of the great museums in Europe is the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, housing most of the imperial Hapsburg collections. Not only are its accumulations of art marvelous, the building itself, opened in 1891, is a magnificent structure in the style of the Italian Renaissance. I spent several happy hours in this home of art (away from the freezing temps outside!), thoroughly enjoying both “container” and “contents,” the latter ranging from Ancient Egyptian and Roman antiquities to Medieval Art to the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque.
Among its fascinating permanent exhibits was a room dedicated to the Emperors of the Imperium Romanum (Roman Empire). Busts of sovereigns and their children fill the eerily lit room. Here you’ll find good ol’ Julius himself, as well as Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Diocletian, Constantine, and a host of others.
While for the most part the expansion of their reach to much of Europe, northern Africa, and parts of the Middle East, and the Pax Romana—the relative Roman peace in the land during the first and second centuries AD—were good things, these rather nefarious characters on the throne thought a bit too much of themselves. They named themselves Augustus (= majestic), Autocrator (= autocrat), Basileus (= sovereign), Imperator Destinatus (= destined to be emperor), Pontifex Maximus (= chief priest), etc. One of them, Domitian, even labeled himself Dominus et Deus (= Lord and god); this was the guy who supposedly condemned the apostle John to be boiled in oil. Coins of the period refer to him as the “father of the gods”!
And then there was this other King in the first century whose we celebrate this month. His names, though, are for real!
Among its fascinating permanent exhibits was a room dedicated to the Emperors of the Imperium Romanum (Roman Empire). Busts of sovereigns and their children fill the eerily lit room. Here you’ll find good ol’ Julius himself, as well as Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Diocletian, Constantine, and a host of others.
While for the most part the expansion of their reach to much of Europe, northern Africa, and parts of the Middle East, and the Pax Romana—the relative Roman peace in the land during the first and second centuries AD—were good things, these rather nefarious characters on the throne thought a bit too much of themselves. They named themselves Augustus (= majestic), Autocrator (= autocrat), Basileus (= sovereign), Imperator Destinatus (= destined to be emperor), Pontifex Maximus (= chief priest), etc. One of them, Domitian, even labeled himself Dominus et Deus (= Lord and god); this was the guy who supposedly condemned the apostle John to be boiled in oil. Coins of the period refer to him as the “father of the gods”!
And then there was this other King in the first century whose we celebrate this month. His names, though, are for real!
For a child will be born to us,
a son will be given to us;
and the government will
rest on His shoulders;
and His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
a son will be given to us;
and the government will
rest on His shoulders;
and His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
The one who is truly Dominus et Deus.
And on His robe
and on His thigh
He has a name written,
“King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.”
Revelation 19:16
and on His thigh
He has a name written,
“King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.”
Revelation 19:16
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Charles Wesley, 1745
Not only does Advent celebrate the First Coming of this King, but during this season, the church expectantly awaits His Second Coming as well. A remembrance and an anticipation. Looking both backwards and forwards. In Wesley's words ...
Not only does Advent celebrate the First Coming of this King, but during this season, the church expectantly awaits His Second Coming as well. A remembrance and an anticipation. Looking both backwards and forwards. In Wesley's words ...
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
He’s coming again and soon! And for those who eagerly await his Advent, a special reward is promised.
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
He’s coming again and soon! And for those who eagerly await his Advent, a special reward is promised.
In the future
there is laid up for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord …
will award to me on that day;
and not only to me,
but also to all who have
loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8
there is laid up for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord …
will award to me on that day;
and not only to me,
but also to all who have
loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8
Even so, Lord Jesus, come!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment