Volume 31, No. 1                                                     
January 1, 2006

New Year Reflections   

   It’s worth looking into.  The amazing Hall of Mirrors in France’s glittering Versaille Palace is once more open to the public after two years of repairs costing $15 million.

   Built in 1678, the Hall showcases 357 giant, handcrafted mirrors set among ornate art, gold and silver fixtures and elaborate chandeliers.  At the time of construction, mirrors were as precious as diamonds so even the most tiny ones were incredibly expensive.  Imagine the jaw-dropping effect of seeing full-length, lavish and elaborate glasses that — for the first time — allowed people to see all of themselves at once.  

   In every detail, the Hall of Mirrors was designed to reflect Louis the XIVth’s power and magnificence. Known as the Sun King, the monarch had artist Charles Le Brun depict his reign on the ceiling.  Le Brun did 30 paintings showing the king in various roles, ranging from victor to benevolent provider.  When peasants stormed Versailles in the French Revolution of 1789, they spared the Hall of Mirrors which has since been used for many historic occasions. The German Empire was offically proclaimed there in 1871.  It served briefly as a military hospital and, in 1919, it was where the world powers signed the Treaty of Versailles, officially ending World War One.     

    But decades of grime eventually dimmed the once-gleaming gallery.  So Antoine Zacharias, the head of France's biggest construction company, undertook a restoration. "Being French," he said "means taking care of our heritage."  But it was slow, arduous work as experts cleaned away years of dust, varnish and incompetent touch-ups.  Thankfully, when glass expert Vincent Guerre was brought in, he found 60 per cent of the mirrors intact.  That was important because the mirrors couldn’t be replaced:  the mercury-based process used to make them was so toxic it’s now illegal.

   So Guerre scrounged around France for old mirrors and found a stash in the basement of the French Senate. "This is our job,” he said, “to respect history and give our kids a chance to see these things."

   As we stand on the cusp of a new year, the Hall of Mirrors is a fitting metaphor for the church as she was always intended to be. De
signed by the Son King, the family of God should be a reflection of his love, glory and power on this earth.  In our actions and attitudes, those around us should catch a glimpse of God in his many roles:  Father, Comforter, Provider, Protector and Friend.  

   The church must also be a place where we can see a full and true image of ourselves — the good, as well as what needs to change through the transforming strength of the Holy Spirit.  When the church truly mirrors the heart of God in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and security, we can see ourselves as we really are and still find support and confidence to become what our Father wants.

   In that process, Jesus is the Mirror.  “The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly.... After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the Majestic God of heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3)  Look into that Mirror and you’ll accurately see yourself; all of yourself, not just as you are, but as you can be.

   As many of us share that experience, the church becomes more than just a glittering showcase.  She becomes a hospital for the wounded, and a place of surrender where hostility between us and God comes to an end because of the sacrifice of his Son.

   Still, we must recognize the church is in constant need of restoration.  Being Christian means taking care of our heritage, respecting our past without being enslaved by it.  Though we must continually try to make the church relevant, it’s essential we avoid the toxic process of recasting Christ in our own image, or replacing him with something new, especially when it’s so unnecessary.  If we look hard enough, we’ll find Jesus in the most unlikely people and places, including ourselves.

   This year, instead of using the imperfection of the church as an excuse, find a deeper commitment and help reflect God in a hurting world.   It’s worth looking into.  

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ nondenominational congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To get on a weekly mailing list for free Cross Current articles, send an email to sgamble@bfree.on.ca