Diverse, Converse and in Verse: Some Scriptural Musings

By William Birmingham

During his teaching ministry Jesus told several stories, often witty, which drew upon the circumstances and situations of his day. He used this method of teaching as a means of making a point, whether favourable or harsh, that his hearers would understand and recognise in their application to them. This book adapts, updates, and converts into whimsical verse a number of these stories, while also raising some new issues for today’s generation. It is not intended to be a substitute for reading the Gospels and other New Testament books, but is intended to direct and encourage readers to look and think more deeply into Jesus’ original words as recorded in Scripture and how they might apply to them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398442757

William Birmingham

After working for 25 years as a civil servant in the UK Department of Social Security, Bill Birmingham acted as a consultant on policy development and training on pension issues in several African, Asian and Caribbean countries, including China, where he lived in Beijing for over five years. He is a Church of England licensed lay minister. With his wife and sister-in-law he leads a toddler group. He has also acted as Chair of his local Neighbourhood Action Group.

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About the Author

Retiring from the civil service after 25 years, William Birmingham worked in policy development and led training courses in the pensions and social security field in Africa, Central Asia and the Caribbean, including living and working for over five years in Beijing. He is a lay minister in the Church of England and is now part of a team running a toddler group in his local church. He also chairs his local Neighbourhood Action Group.

Dedication

Dedicated to the congregations in Copp, Southampton, Woking, Beijing and Langley, of which I have been a part.

Copyright Information ©

William Birmingham 2023

The right of William Birmingham to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398442740 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398442757 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

I wish to acknowledge the encouragement that I have received from John and Dalletta Reed, Margaret Nash and Frances Williams to go ahead with this book and the help I have received from Austin Macauley Publishers.

A Birth on Earth of

Wondrous Worth

An order went out from the Emperor in Rome

That all should return to their family’s home.

Joseph and Mary set off to go down

To their ancestors’ home which was Bethlehem town.

They arrived at an inn; Jesus’ birth almost due

And begged for a room, any room would them do.

The innkeeper told them, "I regret I’m not able

Every room here is let, but you may use the stable."

So Mary and Joseph then followed the track

That went round the inn to the cave at the back.

And there, midst the cattle, the chickens and corn

As a baby our Saviour, Lord Jesus, was born.

While way down in town all the guests were asleep

Some shepherds were up on the hills keeping sheep.

When suddenly, out of the blackness of night

They were roused from their slumber by a glorious sight.

An angel announced that the Saviour was born

In Bethlehem city that very same morn.

And then with the angel appeared a great choir

Singing glory to God, rising higher and higher.

The shepherds then said, "Let’s all of us go

To see what has happened in the city below."

They rushed down to Bethlehem ignoring the danger

And found Mary and Joseph and the babe in a manger.

Returning soon after they spread the good news

But had to return to care for their ewes.

Going back to their flocks, it doesn’t seem odd

It was shepherds first greeted the true Lamb of God.

A month or two later Mary and Joseph, her spouse

Had moved with the baby back into the house.

When to the surprise of both, greatest and least

A number of visitors arrived from the east.

The visitors, magi, who studied the skies

Were treated by all as especially wise.

A new star had told them a new birth, the news

So they’d come there to worship the King of the Jews.

And setting out with them some presents they’d bring

The first, it was gold, so a gift for a king.

The second was incense, they had brought from the east

A present for worship to give to a priest.

The third of the gifts, myrrh, to bury the dead

The death on the cross in advance this one said.

These presents, all given of significant worth

For the king, priest and dying one’s wonderful birth.

Follow the Star

Gold, incense and myrrh.

Gifts for a king and a priest

Who would die for them.

Let Our Voices Exclaim

Love is patient, love is kind

To an insult, love is blind.

Does not envy, does not boast

Love, the giver, gives the most.

Love’s not proud, it is not rude

It’s not rowdy, it’s not lewd.

Not self-seeking, it’s polite

In evil it does not delight.

Love which has abundant patience

Rarely shows much irritation.

It does not keep a list of wrongs

Those who do are clanging gongs.

Love rejoices with the truth

And never will do ought uncouth.

Love protects and trusts and hopes

When faced with trouble, always copes.

Love will always persevere

Love as well protects from fear.

If my faith can move a mountain

In a desert spring a fountain.

My assets on the poor I rain

Without that love there’s naught I gain.

My body to be burnt, but still

Of benefit to me it’s nil.

Prophecies and tongues will pass

But till the end its love will last.

Came the Spirit like a dove

To demonstrate that God is love.

God’s love in action we can see

With Jesus dying on the tree.

By faith, no matter who we are,

Amor vincit omnia

Testing, Just Testing

When Jesus was baptised by his cousin, John

The Spirit descended on him like a dove.

A voice he heard came from heaven above

With Him I’m well pleased, yes, this is my Son.

Straightway the Spirit led Jesus away

To be tempted by Satan for 40 whole days.

When hungry from fasting the accuser then said,

If you’re Son of God, turn these stones into bread.

"Man lives, it is written, not on bread alone

But words, replied Jesus, from God on his throne."

The devil then took him to the Temple’s high