In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ conception is described from the perspective of Joseph. We learn nothing of the conversation he had with Mary on hearing the disturbing news of her pregnancy, and that he is not the father. Rather we learn of the honourable way Joseph intends to act, and then of a revelatory dream, in which an angel tells him that Jesus is the product of a new divine action, in line with a prophecy of Isaiah. The significance of a ‘virgin birth’ is that Jesus will be more than the accumulated best of his ancestors; he will be a unique manifestation of the power of God.
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In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ conception is described from the perspective of Joseph. We learn nothing of the conversation he had with Mary on hearing the disturbing news of her pregnancy, and that he is not the father. Rather we learn of the honourable way Joseph intends to act, and then of a revelatory dream, in which an angel tells him that Jesus is the product of a new divine action, in line with a prophecy of Isaiah. The significance of a ‘virgin birth’ is that Jesus will be more than the accumulated best of his ancestors; he will be a unique manifestation of the power of God.
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In between me writing these highlights and you reading it on paper or online, we will know the results of the general election. It seems strange to be talking about something that hasn’t happened yet. It’s like shouting at the top of your voice in the wilderness waiting to hear an echo.
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The second Sunday of Advent is traditionally the time when the church thinks of prophets and prophecy. In the week of the General Election, it feels like we are living somewhere in between Isaiah’s prophecy and vision of an ideal society in Isaiah 11, and John the Baptist’s condemnation of the self-satisfied and complacent – in his case that applied to the religious authorities in Matthew 3.
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The Revd Kathryn Percival will be installed as Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean during Choral Evensong at 6pm on Sunday 15th December. Please join us as we welcome Kathryn and her family. We have agreed with Kathryn to mark her installation by raising funds to improve the fabric of the Cathedral. The southwest door is in urgent need of repair. Portsmouth Cathedral Development Trust has donated £3,100 to start the appeal and donations can be made through https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cathedralsouthwestdoor or the Cathedral Offices.
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The Cathedral has appointed Sophie Henstridge-Brown to the post of Head of Fundraising and Events. She will begin working with us on Tuesday 18th February 2020. Sophie comes to the Cathedral from the Royal Opera House, and is an active member of Southwark Cathedral. The Dean said, “I am delighted that Sophie is joining the Cathedral team, bringing just the skills and background we need at this point in our history. Her track record is second to none, and Sophie will help us continue to build a flourishing and financially sustainable Cathedral”.
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