Prague's Astrological Clock in Old Town Square is one of many tourist hot-spots in the city. Every hour on the hour, people from all over the world gather in front of the clock to watch it "go off." It's been voted one of the most overrated tourist attractions because of how disappointing the "going off" of the clock actually is... a bell rings, a few parts move, and a rooster makes a sighing noise at the end. This year the city decided to step it up a notch and add a trumpet player.
Although the hourly performance is, indeed, a let-down, the clock itself is quite beautiful and impressive considering it was built in the 1400's. It has a fascinating history as well. There are four little statues (2 on each side of the clock) that represent four of the biggest fears, or things despised, of the time period.
On the left we have Vanity, represented by the man looking into a mirror, and Greed, represented by a Jewish man with a bag of money:
On the right, a skeleton represents Death, and a turban wearing Turk represents Infidelity and Faithlessness:
Above the clock, two little doors open during the hourly performance to reveal what is known as "The Walk of the Apostles," where the twelve disciples of Jesus come rolling through one by one and peek their heads out.
Like the clock, many of Prague's famous landmarks and attractions are wrapped in a history of faith: churches, religious memorials, and statues depicting scenes of sacred warfare. The history of Prague is deep, complicated, and filled with religious disputes. The Catholics killed Protestants, Protestants defenestrated Catholics (which means threw them out windows of tall buildings), and eventually World War II, followed by Communism, oppressed religious groups to the point that 60% of Czechs now identify with Atheism.
For a Christian in Prague, that may be a discouraging fact. But the God of the Bible is notorious for taking horrifying things and using them for a good outcome. 1 Peter 1:6-7 talks about suffering grief in all kinds of trials, so that your faith may be tested and come out strong, to serve as evidence of God's victory.
Is it possible that God has allowed "religion" to be crushed in this country, to make way for true relationship? Isn't this what Jesus did by dying on the cross? By offering himself as a sacrifice on behalf of humankind, he wiped out traditional religion so that we may know and have a personal bond with God. I think the void of religion here has created a wide-open opportunity for God to move in and pursue the hearts of the Czech people.
Prague, do you know God is pursuing your heart?
Had no idea...thanks for enlightening us...and bringing the light to Prague!
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