APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XXI)

 The priests could view the veil; but one alone,

Aaron, could go through it, just once a year

With blood: that which was needed to atone.

And through Christ’s precious blood we can draw near

The presence where our great High Priest presides,

For both with Him and in Him we appear,

Clothed in accoutrements His death provides

We enter where the One we love abides.

Straiton Pond: the swans nesting, and now with new cygnets

APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XX)

Scottish highland hills and clouds

Before the veil the golden altar stood,
Pluming the fragrance which God’s heart desired;
It was gold-overlaid acacia wood.

The fragrant prayers of saints whom love acquired
Rises as incense to content God’s heart
As those the Holy Spirit has inspired.

But Christ is He in whom these savours start,
Replete with grace He glories to impart.

APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XIX)

 In the protection of the golden border,

Borne by the gold-enclosed acacia table,

The bread was set in order in its order.

For all in Christ is orderly and stable,

By whom all for God’s pleasure is sustained

For only He who suits God’s eye is able,

And God delights both in the saints He’s gained

And in the Man by whom they are maintained.

Inverness

APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XVIII)

The beauty of the candlestick could shine

Only in its own light, and everywhere

The glory of its light suffused the shrine.

Christ shines in Christ’s own light, and only there

Is Christ displayed in perfect truth and grace,

Which only light from Christ can thus confer.

And everything within the holy place

Is lightened by the light of Jesus’ face.

Around the River Ness

APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XVII)

 

Kessock Bridge and nearby

All was imbrued by excellence of oil,

While beaten olive oil provided light,

Which unattended wicks could never spoil.

Although Christ's absence seems to us a night

The Holy Spirit's present words assure

That there's a sanctum which is always bright,

While priestly grace of the Lord ensure

That we are trimmed from anything impure.

APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XVI)

Myrrh, with sweet myrtle and sweet cinnamon,

And cassia, finest spices, mingled, gave

A holy scent to all they came upon.

The magi's gift, the anointing, cross, and grave:

Myrrh touch each stage of Jesus' perfect way,

With sweetness too for those He came to save,

And joy of perfect grace in every day,

And fresh delight to Him He came to obey.

A trip to Inverness

APPROACH TO THE TABERNACLE (XV)

The boards stood firmly in their golden bases,

Held by gold-overlaid acacia wood,

Both in the holy and the holiest places.

How solidly the saints of God have stood

On the assurance that they are redeemed,

Held in divinely-given fortitude,

Given a grace beyond all they had dreamed;

How much their faithfulness has been esteemed!

Straiton Pond

DCB as ranger

(among my numerous hats)