Thursday, 2nd November 2023
A Friend’s New Book
Diverse, Converse and In Verse
Let me introduce you to our precious friends, Bill and Barbara Birmingham.
Well into their senior years, they have interesting stories about various travels. Bill’s work in civil service, focusing on policy development and training courses in the pension and social security field included other countries besides Great Britain; including Africa, Central Asia and the Caribbean.
Bill and Barbara lived and work in Beijing for over five years, and took advantage of the opportunity to learn a Chinese language. In these photos, they are wearing Chinese clothing they obtained when they were in China.
As well as being a civil servant, Bill was a licensed Lay minister in the Church of England. He retired a couple of weeks ago.
One of Bill’s many talents is writing—especially in rhythm. After sharing many of his fabulous creations, several friends (including John and me), encouraged him to put them into book form. We are thrilled to see the book in print now.
I’ve enclosed a photo of book here.
It is entitled, Divers, Converse and In Verse, Some Scriptural Musings.
It is published by Austin Macaulay Publishers. You will find their website by searching online. (The reason I am not putting it as a link is because many previous links I have shared are now out of date and/or broken.)
Bill describes the book like this:
“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 favorable or harsh, that his hearers would understand and recognize in the 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.”
Now, to get you hooked, I am—with Bill’s personal approval—sharing the first poem in the book:
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 There 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 in 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 the manger. Returning soon after they spread the good news But had to return to care for their ewes. Going back to their flock, it doesn’t seem odd It was the shepherds first greeted the true Lamb of God. A month or two later May and Joseph, her spouse, Had moved with the baby back to 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.
Copyright © William Birmingham 2023
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library
ISBN 9781398442740 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781398442757 (ePub e-book)
First Published 2023
Austin Macauley Published Ltd
1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AA