“‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’
And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’”
Billie Bond (British, b. 1965), Breathe (diptych), 2018, black stoneware, resin, gold. Inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi (the repair of broken ceramics with gold), a philosophy of seeing beauty and strength in imperfection.
Bible Passage: Revelation 21:1 - 22:5
My Big Story Bible: Pages 278-280
Everyone suddenly burst out singing;
And I was filled with such delight
As prisoned birds must find in freedom,
Winging wildly across the white
Orchards and dark-green fields; on - on - and out of sight.
Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted;
And beauty came like the setting sun:
My heart was shaken with tears; and horror
Drifted away ... O, but Everyone
Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.
Siegfried Sassoon (British 1886—1967), Everyone Sang, 1919, public domain.