Day 64

Monday, June 8, 2015

Oxford, England

Today Mary and I visited the Bodleian Libraries.  These are the official libraries of Oxford University.  The first library is known as the the Old Bodlleian.  It is next to the Sheldonian Theatre. (first picture) The old library was used in the filming of the Harry Potter movies.  When you see Harry Potter in the library looking for a book on spells, he is actually in the Old Bodleian.  This is also the place where C. S. Lewis would come to study, write and I am sorry to say, smoke which was strickly forbidden.

Our tour guide was marvelous and we learned so much about the history of the University and the history of our world.  One of the facts we learned is that the motto for Oxford University is Dominus Illuminatio Mea which is Latin for: The Lord is My Light.  This is taken from Psalm 27:1.

From the Old Bodleian we walked several blocks to the new library which is called the Weston Bodlelan Library or the New Bodleian. Here we saw breath taking treasures which are part of the library collection.  I cannot list everything our eyes feasted on today but here are a FEW of the many treasures we saw: The Magna Carta, The Guttenburg Bible, Sir Walter’s Raliegh’s Map of Virginia, Handel’s original score of the Messiah, first edition of  William Shakespeare’s works, and Albert Einstein’s letter to the Chancellor of the Univeristy accepting an invitation to receive an honory degree. What a day.!

In the late afternoon, we visited the pub, The Eagle and Child.  (second picture) This is the place where C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and others would meet on Tuesday mornings to share and discuss each others’ works.  This group was known as the Inklings.  We had tea in the Rabbit Room where the Inklings met and where pictures of Lewis, Tolkien and the Inkings are still hanging.

We ended our day by walking to Keble College to view the painting by Holman Hunt, The Light of the World.  We had seen a copy of the painting at St. Paul Cathedral.  However, there is nothing quite like seeing an original painting with your own eyes.  The way that Hunt has painted Jesus’ face and lantern to light up is amazing.  I truly felt Christ’s eyes gazing upon me. (third picture)

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie