The spectacle of Paihia with a cruise ship - November 2024
We all like a bit of a spectacle. We got tickets to see a Finnish stand-up comedian the other night. His observations about the English language and his unpacking of the rivalry between Finland and Sweden (similar to Aussie and NZ) were actually very funny, then he descended into a tawdry crudeness and kind of lost us. The hoped for spectacle was not so spectacular.
Apparently, millions (including me) watched the Netflix screening of the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul last Saturday. I realise this is not everyone's cup of tea, but I already have a Netflix subscription so why not? Something to watch with my son. Three of the fights on the under-card were very competitive, the most savage of all being the women's bout just before the main event. However, Tyson vs. Paul was what many of us feared it would be, a totally over-hyped waste of time. An old man who used to be a feared boxer, with a bad knee and seemingly as high-as-a-kite on something, versus a strapping young man who is not actually an elite boxer, but quite good at self promotion on YouTube or something. (Yawn) Not very spectacular.
These human constructions of spectacle are all very well, but they do not satisfy in the end. This Sunday the church calendar remembers the reign of Christ. That reign which started in humble circumstances in Bethlehem and progressed through the ignominy of the cross, was certainly not over-hyped. Yet one day we will behold the spectacle of His glory. Ultimately, we should put our time into things that satisfy for eternity.
"To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1: 5-6)
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