Interesting Green: Reflection

Source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 10, "Joy to the World", Page 105.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

PHOTO: Why can we sing joyfully when we think of the first and second comings of Jesus?
The coming of the rightful King of the world, as He is the One who made it and all in it. Satan, the imposter prince, will be gotten rid of. His first coming brings us salvation (Psalm 98:2), a reason to burst forth in joyful song.

The hymn has more to do with Christ's second coming than His first, though because the two comings of Christ are historically and theologically connected, the sentiments expressed can apply to both events. The one that has already taken place sets the stage for the other that is yet to happen, an event which true believers eagerly await.

When Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, He will establish His perfect kingdom, where there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4). Jesus will finish what He began during His first coming. Jesus began His public ministry declaring that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2). a kingdom whose characteristics were demonstrated through His authoritative teaching and miraculous signs. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33), awaiting His return to earth to fully establish that kingdom, when sin, death, and the devil that have plagued the human race will finally and decisively be put to an end. This is reason to break out in joyful song.

Christmas does not only look back at the birth of Christ, but also towards His second coming. Both comings are connected to each other, and make the other meaningful. "Joy to the World" helps us to understand this and urges us to break into joyful song as we look back with faith and gratitude and look forward with hope.

Meditate on how you can prepare room for Christ in your heart. What would need to be removed or rearranged?
We are urged to "Let every heart prepare him room" so that He can be received gladly into our hearts. Scripture promises that "to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). When Christ returns, the earth will have to receive her King, and all who have received Him in their hearts will have a place in His eternal kingdom.

The effects of the curse in the human heart and on the earth (Genesis 3:16-19) would need to be removed or rearranged.

Christ will remove the curse of sin from the human story. When Christ returns in glory, there will be no more sin and sorrow in human lives, and no more thorns on the ground. The curse will be removed far from us.

What would need to be brought in?
The blessing from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.

Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter our heart, settle down and be at home there. Christ will make the human heart His abode.

How? Our Lord said to His disciples, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).

Now it would be possible for us to prepare a place for Him in our hearts and He would come and make His abode with us. The curse in the human heart will be removed far from us, and the blessing will flow relentlessly from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.
Picture posted by ©Donna J. Mynatt on 26 December 2014
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https://donnasfamilylife.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/joy-to-the-world.jpg
https://donnasfamilylife.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/day-26-joy-to-the-world/

PHOTO: "Joy to the World" remains one of the favourite carols sung in church services during the Christmas season. The Psalm of David imitated in the language of the New Testament, and apply'd to the Christmas state and worship.
Picture saved from Alena Mikušová
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Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare him room.
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse id found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders, of his love.

(Source: The United Methodist Hymnal [Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989], #246)

PHOTO: "Joy to the World" was written by Englishman Isaac Watts in the eighteenth century; many consider him the greatest hymn writer of all time.
Picture posted by alamy.com - ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748).
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History of the Carol [1]
"Joy to the World" remains one of the favourite carols sung in church services during the Christmas season. It was written by Englishman Isaac Watts in the eighteenth century; many consider him the greatest hymn writer of all time. Watts published the hymn in his 1719 collections, The Psalm of David imitated in the language of the New Testament, and apply'd to the Christmas state and worship.

Watts (1674-1748) was a linguist, well-versed in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, beside English. He was a born poet, often thinking in verse. As described in Popular Hymns and Their Writers by Norman Mable, a young Watts was once caught with his eyes open during a school prayer, and when asked to explain his actions, said:

A little mouse for want of stairs
ran up a rope to say its prayers.

After enduring corporal punishment for his response, he remarked:

O father, father, pity take
And I will no more verse make.

Watts became pastor of a large independent chapel in London. He was a non-conformist (ie., he was against being aligned with the state church), having been influenced by the Calvinist Puritans who decided to function outside the Church of England. Watts was also a philosopher whose book on logic had much influence in educational in institutions.

His greatest contribution was in hymn-writing. John Calvin, the reformer, allowed only the Psalms to be sung in church services. Calvin believed this would keep the congregational singing in church biblical. For the Psalms to be sung, they needed to be put in appropriate metre. Watts made some innovations to this by adapting Psalm singing using Christian language as expressed in the New Testament. This is the reason behind the title of his book in which "Joy to the World" appeared - Imitated in the language of the New Testament.

Thus, Watts wrote many hymns based on the Psalms but using fresh poetic language in keeping with Christian doctrine and experience. "Joy to the World" is one such hymn; it is based on Psalm 98 (See also Psalm 96:11-12), and brings out key Christian New Testament doctrines. The tune (titled "Antioch") is said to be based on music by the great composer, George Frederick Handel (1685-1759).

Watts is buried in London's famous Bunhill Fields cemetery, where Susannah Wesley, the mother of the other great English hymn writer, Charles Wesley, is buried.

PHOTO: Watts is buried in London's famous Bunhill Fields cemetery, where Susannah Wesley, the mother of the other great English hymn writer, Charles Wesley, is buried.
Picture posted by Ed Pearce on Tuesday, 30 April 2019 at 00:00 - Statue of Isaac Watts, Abney Park Cemetery By Stephencdickson
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https://encyclopaediaoftrivia.blogspot.com/2019/04/

Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
The hymn is based on Psalm 98, which is a call to sing to the Lord a new song (Psalm 98:1) because He "comes to judge the earth" and will do so with righteousness and equity (Psalm 98:9). His coming brings us salvation (Psalm 98:2), a reason to burst forth in joyful song.

PHOTO: The hymn is based on Psalm 98, which is a call to sing to the Lord a new song (Psalm 98:1) because He "comes to judge the earth" and will do so with righteousness and equity (Psalm 98:9). His coming brings us salvation (Psalm 98:2), a reason to burst forth in joyful song.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/06/reflection-intimacy-with-christ_22.html
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/04/reflection-jonah-gets-second-chance_13.html

The hymn has more to do with Christ's second coming than His first, though because the two comings of Christ are historically and theologically connected, the sentiments expressed can apply to both events. The one that has already taken place sets the stage for the other that is yet to happen, an event which true believers eagerly await.

PHOTO: The hymn has more to do with Christ's second coming than His first, though because the two comings of Christ are historically and theologically connected, the sentiments expressed can apply to both events.
Picture posted by Heart2Heart on Wednesday, 18 May 2016 at 11:39 AM
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http://godsheart-heart2heart.blogspot.com/2016/05/this-is-second-coming-of-jesus-christ.html

When Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, He will establish His perfect kingdom, where there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4). Jesus will finish what He began during His first coming. Jesus began His public ministry declaring that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2). a kingdom whose characteristics were demonstrated through His authoritative teaching and miraculous signs. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33), awaiting His return to earth to fully establish that kingdom, when sin, death, and the devil that have plagued the human race will finally and decisively be put to an end.

PHOTO: Jesus will finish what He began during His first coming. When Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, He will establish His perfect kingdom, where there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4). Sin, death, and the devil that have plagued the human race will finally and decisively be put to an end.
Picture posted by Mons. Salvador Martínez on 08 November 2018
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This is reason to break out in joyful song. The first stanza points to the coming of the rightful King of the world, as He is the One who made it and all in it. Satan, the imposter prince, will be gotten rid of. We are urged to welcome the eternal King. Christ did not receive such a welcome at His first coming, because "the darkness comprehended [the light Jesus brought] not" (John 1:5 KJV), and "the world did not recognise him" (John 1:10). Even "his own [the Jews] did not receive him" (John 1:11). There was "no room . . . in the inn" for Him in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7 KJV).

PHOTO: The coming of the rightful King of the world, as He is the One who made it and all in it. Satan, the imposter prince, will be gotten rid of. This is reason to break out in joyful song.
Picture posted by Dick Marchessault - Concordantia
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We however, are urged to "Let every heart prepare him room" (Stanza 1) so that He can be received gladly into our hearts. Scripture promises that "to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). When Christ returns, the earth will have to receive her King, and all who have received Him in their hearts will have a place in His eternal kingdom.

PHOTO: When Christ returns, the earth will have to receive her King, and all who have received Him in their hearts will have a place in His eternal kingdom.
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This is reason for both "heaven and nature" (Stanza 1) to sing in joyful song. We can understand why heaven will sing when this happens - because the rule of God will be clearly seen in the world. Heaven broke out in song when Christ came the first time, when He was born in Bethlehem. It will break out in song again when He returns in the future. Nature will also join heaven in song, because today it is groaning in frustration and bondage (Romans 8:22). When Christ comes again, creation "will be liberated from its bondage to decay" (Romans 8:21). The land, and "rocks, hills and plains" (Stanza 2) will join in the song (Psalm 148:7-9).

PHOTO: Both "heaven and nature" sing in joyful song. When Christ comes again, creation "will be liberated from its bondage to decay" (Romans 8:21). The land, and "rocks, hills and plains" (Stanza 2) will join in the song (Psalm 148:7-9).
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We humans are urged to join heaven and nature in their jubilant song, for we too have been groaning inwardly in this present world, as we "wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23). "In this hope we were saved . . . we wait for it patiently" (Romans 8:24-25). "Let this men their songs employ" (Stanza 2). There will be a great chorus of joyful song, where all of creations will sing in praise to God.

PHOTO: We humans are urged to join heaven and nature in their jubilant song, for we too have been groaning inwardly in this present world, as we "wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23). There will be a great chorus of joyful song, where all of creations will sing in praise to God.
Picture posted by Leah Marieann Klett ( news@gospelherald.com ) on 24 December 2014 at 12:38 PM EST
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Stanza 3 continues in this vein, speaking of how Christ will remove the curse of sin from the human story. Genesis 3 spells out the effects of the curse in the human heart and on the earth (Genesis 3:16-19). But when Christ returns in glory, there will be no more sin and sorrow in human lives, and no more thorns on the ground. The curse will be removed far from us, and the blessing will flow relentlessly from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.

PHOTO: Christ will remove the curse of sin from the human story. when Christ returns in glory, there will be no more sin and sorrow in human lives, and no more thorns on the ground. The curse will be removed far from us, and the blessing will flow relentlessly from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.
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This cost God an unimaginable price, for our liberation was achieved not by divine fiat, which is an official order given by an authority figure, but by divine self-sacrifice. We read of a divine groaning that joins the groaning of human and nature (Romans 8:26). The first coming of Jesus helps us to understand and appreciate this, for in Christ God came to identify himself with His fallen creation, "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission" (Hebrews 5:7). Christ groaned for us as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before going to the cross. His cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) was raised on our behalf as He bore the full consequence of the sins of this world. By enduring the cross and praying the penalty for our sins, Jesus forged a new path to a new eternal future for us, a future He will come again to give to us.

PHOTO: Christ was raised on our behalf as He bore the full consequence of the sins of this world. By enduring the cross and praying the penalty for our sins, Jesus forged a new path to a new eternal future for us, a future He will come again to give to us.
Picture posted bywallpaperflare.com
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/09/reflection-come-thou-long-expected-jesus.html

So we sing in joyful song.

The final stanza speaks of how life would be in the eternal kingdom under the perfect rule of Christ. He will rule with "truth and grace", a phrase that connects the song with Christ's first coming. In speaking of the coming of Christ from heaven as the Word become flesh, John describes Jesus as "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14) and that "grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). It is this same Jesus, born in Bethlehem, who will return to rule us all with truth and grace.

And the nations that are gathered before Him will praise His holy name, singing, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (Revelation 7:10). In the eternal kingdom, the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) will be its lamp, and the "nations will walk by its light" (Revelation 21:23-24).

PHOTO: It is this same Jesus, born in Bethlehem, who will return to rule us all with truth and grace. And the nations that are gathered before Him will praise His holy name, singing, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb" (Revelation 7:10).
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The nations will indeed "prove the glories of his righteousness" and the "wonders of his love" (Stanza 4). God is righteous and loving, holy and compassionate, just and merciful. "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works" (Psalm 145:17 ESV). "The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion" (Psalm 116:5). The truths about God's eternal character will be perfectly proven in the future kingdom of God.

Christmas does not only look back at the birth of Christ, but also towards His second coming. Both comings are connected to each other, and make the other meaningful. "Joy to the World" helps us to understand this and urges us to break into joyful song as we look back with faith and gratitude and look forward with hope.

PHOTO: God is righteous and loving, holy and compassionate, just and merciful. The truths about God's eternal character will be perfectly proven in the future kingdom of God. Christmas does not only look back at the birth of Christ, but also towards His second coming. "Joy to the World" helps us to understand this and urges us to break into joyful song as we look back with faith and gratitude and look forward with hope.
Picture posted by Karen Garst, The Faithless Feminist on 30 August 2018
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Why can we sing joyfully when we think of the first and second comings of Jesus? Meditate on how you can prepare room for Christ in your heart. What would need to be removed or rearranged? What would need to be brought in?

Why can we sing joyfully when we think of the first and second comings of Jesus?
The coming of the rightful King of the world, as He is the One who made it and all in it. Satan, the imposter prince, will be gotten rid of. His first coming brings us salvation (Psalm 98:2), a reason to burst forth in joyful song.

PHOTO: Why can we sing joyfully when we think of the first and second comings of Jesus?
Satan, the imposter prince, will be gotten rid of. His first coming brings us salvation (Psalm 98:2), a reason to burst forth in joyful song.
Picture posted by Candy Kaplan - All About The Devil In 2019
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The hymn has more to do with Christ's second coming than His first, though because the two comings of Christ are historically and theologically connected, the sentiments expressed can apply to both events. The one that has already taken place sets the stage for the other that is yet to happen, an event which true believers eagerly await.

PHOTO: The hymn has more to do with Christ's second coming than His first, though because the two comings of Christ are historically and theologically connected, the sentiments expressed can apply to both events. An event which true believers eagerly await.
Picture posted by The Watchman's Post on Thursday, 02 March 2017
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When Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, He will establish His perfect kingdom, where there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4). Jesus will finish what He began during His first coming. Jesus began His public ministry declaring that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2). a kingdom whose characteristics were demonstrated through His authoritative teaching and miraculous signs. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33), awaiting His return to earth to fully establish that kingdom, when sin, death, and the devil that have plagued the human race will finally and decisively be put to an end. This is reason to break out in joyful song.

PHOTO: Jesus will finish what He began during His first coming. Jesus began His public ministry declaring that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 3:2). a kingdom whose characteristics were demonstrated through His authoritative teaching and miraculous signs.
Artwork by Heinrich Hofmann - The Sermon on the Mount
Picture from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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PHOTO: When Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, He will establish His perfect kingdom, where there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4). He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33), awaiting His return to earth to fully establish that kingdom, when sin, death, and the devil that have plagued the human race will finally and decisively be put to an end. This is reason to break out in joyful song.
Picture posted by The Watchman's Post on Thursday, 24 November 2016
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Christmas does not only look back at the birth of Christ, but also towards His second coming. Both comings are connected to each other, and make the other meaningful. "Joy to the World" helps us to understand this and urges us to break into joyful song as we look back with faith and gratitude and look forward with hope.

Meditate on how you can prepare room for Christ in your heart. What would need to be removed or rearranged?
We are urged to "Let every heart prepare him room" so that He can be received gladly into our hearts. Scripture promises that "to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). When Christ returns, the earth will have to receive her King, and all who have received Him in their hearts will have a place in His eternal kingdom.

PHOTO: We are urged to "Let every heart prepare him room" so that He can be received gladly into our hearts. When Christ returns, the earth will have to receive her King, and all who have received Him in their hearts will have a place in His eternal kingdom.
Picture posted by Robert King on 01 November 2017
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The effects of the curse in the human heart and on the earth (Genesis 3:16-19) would need to be removed or rearranged.

Christ will remove the curse of sin from the human story. When Christ returns in glory, there will be no more sin and sorrow in human lives, and no more thorns on the ground. The curse will be removed far from us.

PHOTO: The effects of the curse in the human heart and on the earth (Genesis 3:16-19) would need to be removed or rearranged. Christ will remove the curse of sin from the human story. When Christ returns in glory, there will be no more sin and sorrow in human lives, and no more thorns on the ground. The curse will be removed far from us.
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What would need to be brought in?
The blessing from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.

Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter our heart, settle down and be at home there. Christ will make the human heart His abode. [2]

PHOTO: Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter our heart, settle down and be at home there. Christ will make the human heart His abode.
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How? Our Lord said to His disciples, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).

Now it would be possible for us to prepare a place for Him in our hearts and He would come and make His abode with us. The curse in the human heart will be removed far from us, and the blessing will flow relentlessly from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.

PHOTO: Now it would be possible for us to prepare a place for Him in our hearts and He would come and make His abode with us. The curse in the human heart will be removed far from us, and the blessing will flow relentlessly from the heart and hand of the God who loves us.
Artwork by Heinrich Hofmann - The Ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:50-53)
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to bring us salvation since His first coming. We eagerly await for His second coming as the rightful King of the world, overthrowing Satan the imposter prince. These are the reason for us to sing joyfully when we think of the first and second comings of Jesus.

When Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead, He will establish His perfect kingdom, where there will be no more tears, sorrow, pain, and death. We learn that He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father awaiting His return to earth to fully establish that kingdom, when sin, death, and the devil that have plagued the human race will finally and decisively be put to an end. This is reason to break out in joyful song.

We pray that every Christmas we do not only look back at the birth of Christ, but also towards His second coming. Please help us to continue our faith and gratitude as we look back at His first coming, and to look forward with hope for His second coming.

Thank You for having Christ to remove the curse in our heart and on the earth, so that we can successfully prepare our heart to receive the Holy Spirit, to enter our heart, settle down and be at home. Thank You for having Your blessing flowing relentlessly from Your heart and hand because of Your love for us.

Scripture promises that ‘to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’. We want to receive Christ when He returns because all who have received Him in their hearts will have a place in His eternal kingdom, as promised. So we sing in joyful song.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
Artwork by Heinrich Hofmann - The temptation of jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
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Reflection - Joy to the World
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 10, "Joy to the World", Page 105.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

Reference

[1] From "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Copyright © 2017 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-11-6752-2, Chapter 10, "Joy to the World", Page 97-105.

[2] Robert Boyd Munger, My Heart Christ's Home, https://www.usna.edu/Navigators/_files/documents/MHCH.pdf

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