Thursday, March 5, 2020

Reflection - Silent Night

Source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 16, "Silent Night", Page 165.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


Meditate on how the birth of Jesus assures you that God is mindful of your plight.
PHOTO: Meditate on how the birth of Jesus assures you that God is mindful of your plight.
Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
The first stanza casts a spell over us as it introduces the beautiful scene of the birth of Christ: when all is quiet and peaceful, and the new-born baby is peacefully sleeping. But Christ was born into a troubled world. Within a matter of months, the boys born in Bethlehem were massacred by the order of an insecure and cruel King Herod. It is nice to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Christmas story, but we must never forget that Christ came to a violent and troubled world. In a unique 1966 rendering of this carol, Simon and Garfunkel superimposed a recompilation of the seven o'clock news over their singing of "Silent Night" - it was news of a troubled world.

The experience of the shepherds, who heard and saw angels sing praises to God and declare peace to men, is the subject of the second stanza. The shepherds were terrified by the sight, but the angel reassured them, telling them to not be afraid. It was an awesome sight as glories streamed "from Heaven afar" (Stanza 2), and it was connected to the good news of the birth of the Saviour of the world.

The third stanza addresses Jesus Christ the Lord. He is acknowledged as the Son of God, and His holiness and love are described in the phrase "love's pure light" (Stanza 3). The face of Jesus shows divinity, as "radiant beams" (Stanza3) arise from it. We are reminded of how Christ is the "radiance of God's glory" (Hebrews 1:3). His is the "glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). With Him, we see the "dawn of redeeming grace" (Stanza 3) - a reference to the grace of God that reaches us through Christ to save us from our sins and death. Jesus is acknowledged and addressed as Lord - one who is God and Ruler of our lives and everything connected to them.

The last three stanzas are not familiar to most people because they are seldom included in hymnals or song sheets. They continue to tell the story of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how He came to save humankind. The fourth stanza describes the coming of Christ as the arrival of God's "healing light" - reminiscent of Scripture comparing the arrival of the Messiah to how the "sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its ray" (Malachi 4:2). The kingdom of Jesus is "the heavenly kingdom" (Stanza 4), not of this world (John 18:36). With Christ came God's "abundant grace" (Stanza 4), as Paul reminds us: "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:14). It is in this way that God in Christ offers salvation for all, for Christ is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). In Christ, "the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people" (Titus 2:11). Though God's grace is available to all, only those who receive Jesus and believe in His name will be saved and be called the children of God (John 1:12).


What does God's embrace of sinful but repentant human beings mean for you personally?
The fifth stanza brings us back to the Christmas scene, reminding us that God sent His only begotten Son to earth below. From Him "all blessings flow" (Stanza 5), because God "has blessed us . . . with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3), When Jesus "embraces mankind" (Stanza 5), we receive God's reconciling love as He offers forgiveness in Christ to every prodigal sinner who has strayed away from His fatherly love (see Luke 15:20, where the waiting father ran to his prodigal and now repentant son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him). As the words of another hymn, "Here is Love", put it,

And Heav'n's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.


Take time to pray for Christ's peace for yourself and for those dear to you as well as for the world.
The final stanza declares Jesus to be God's promise for peace. As the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), Jesus brings us peace as declared by the angel at His birth: "Peace to those on whom his favour rests" (Luke 2:14). Jesus promised peace to those who would trust in Him. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). Because of what He achieved for us on the cross - our justification, forgiveness, and eternal life - "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). He also brings reconciliation between human beings who are divided by common hatred. As redeemed peoples, they experience the peace brought by Christ. "He came and preached peace" to "create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace" (Ephesians 2:17, 15).

In short, it is through Jesus that we have peace with God, peace within us, and peace among ourselves. "Mindful of mankind's plight" (Stanza 6), God has acted decisively to free us all from our earthly woes and brought healing and peace where it is greatly needed. What a precious gospel! What a precious birth! What a glorious Saviour!
Picture posted by caveman, WallpaperCave on 03 February 2020
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https://wallpapercave.com/full-moon-winter-night-wallpapers


Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace!
sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly Hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!

Silent night! Holy night!
Here at last, healing light
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent,
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all.

Silent night! Holy night!
Sleeps the world in peace tonight.
God sends his Son to earth below
A Child from whom all blessings flow
Jesus, embraces mankind.
Jesus, embraces mankind.

Silent night! Holy night!
Mindful of mankind's plight
The Lord in Heav'n on high decreed
From earthly woes we would be freed
Jesus, God's promise for peace.
Jesus, God's promise for peace.

(Source: The Wartbury Hymnal [Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918], #113).
This well-known and well-loved Christmas carol was written by Joseph Mohr (1792-1848).

PHOTO: This well-known and well-loved Christmas carol was written by Joseph Mohr (1792-1848).
Photo by Justin McIntosh/GettyImages for Starstruck Entertainment
Picture posted by By Margaret Littman, Rolling Stone - Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire perform at Clarkson's Miracle on Broadway Christmas benefit. A Benefit Concert at Bridgestone Arena on 20 December 2014 in Nashville, Tenn.
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https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/watch-kelly-clarkson-duet-with-reba-trisha-yearwood-at-holiday-miracle-233819/


History of the Carol [1]
This well-known and well-loved Christmas carol was written by an author whose personal story s inspiring.

Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) was his mother's third illegitimate child. He was born a few days before Christmas in 1792 in Salzburg, Austria. His father, Franz Joseph Mohr, abandoned the pregnant Anna Schoiberin and deserted the army in which he was serving as a mercenary, leaving Anna to face the social disgrace alone. In those days, being pregnant outside of marriage resulted in a hefty fine. Anna worked as a knitter and earned little, too little to pay the fine (which would have taken a whole year of wages). She could have abandoned little helpless Joseph.

But Salzburg's last official executioner, Joseph Wohlmuth, offered to pay the fine and become Joseph's godfather at the child's baptism. Being an executioner was not a particularly respectable job, and the man hoped that helping Joseph and his mother would gain him some respect in the town. However, little Joseph become further disadvantaged socially by being known as the feared and hated executioner's godson. The boy was not allowed to attend school. He was prevented from learning a trade, or even finding employment.
Salzburg's last official executioner, Franz Joseph Wohlmut, Joseph Mohr's godfather.

PHOTO: Salzburg's last official executioner, Franz Joseph Wohlmut, Joseph Mohr's godfather.
Picture posted by Wikidata - Austrian executioner
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https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1447603#/media/File:Wohlmuth_001.jpg
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1447603


In spite of his unfortunate circumstances, the boy loved to sing. One day, while he was playing and singing on the steps in front of a Capuchin monastery, Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, a Benedictine monk and cathedral choirmaster, heard the boy's singing and was impressed with his voice. Eager to help him put it to good use, Hiernle visited Ann Schoiber to arrange for Joseph to join his elite group of students.
Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, a Benedictine monk and cathedral choirmaster, heard Joseph Mohr's singing and was impressed with his voice.


PHOTO: Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, a Benedictine monk and cathedral choirmaster, heard Joseph Mohr's singing and was impressed with his voice. Eager to help him put it to good use, Hiernle visited Ann Schoiber to arrange for Joseph to join his elite group of students.
Portrait by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820
Picture from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/JNHummel_2.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Nepomuk_Hummel


Joseph did not let Hiernle down. He showed himself to be an outstanding student, mastering many musical instruments, such as the organ, violin, and guitar, before his teenage years. He continued to train in music and theology and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1815 at the age of 22. Because he was born an illegitimate child, Joseph needed special permission from church authorities to attend seminary.

Joseph Mohr served as a pastor in many churches. While a young assistant priest at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, he wrote the song for which he would became famous. Having written the lyrics in 1816 while serving in a previous church, and finding his current church in need of a new Christmas carol, he walked three kilometres on a cold Christmas Eve in 1818 to meet his friend Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) in nearby Arnsdorf bei Laufen. Gruber, who was the church organist and choirmaster, wrote the melody for the song in a matter of hours. That night, at the midnight mass, Mohr and Gruber first sang "Stille Nacht" - and this has since become the most popular Christmas carol of all time: "Silent Night, Holy Night".
Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) wrote the lyrics in 1816.

PHOTO: Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) wrote the lyrics in 1816. He walked three kilometres on a cold Christmas Eve in 1818 to meet his friend Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) in nearby Arnsdorf bei Laufen. Gruber, wrote the melody for the song in a matter of hours. That night, at the midnight mass, Mohr and Gruber first sang "Stille Nacht" - and this has since become the most popular Christmas carol of all time: "Silent Night, Holy Night".
Picture posted by Lifeonline on 16 October 2018
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http://static.life.dailymirror.lk/media/images/image_bf026e5a65.jpg
http://www.life.lk/article/reviews/Silent-Night-Locations-%E2%80%93-A-tour-of-a-Lifetime/59/18279


Gruber wrote the music for two voices and a choir, all to be accompanied on the guitar, Mohr's favourite musical instrument. At the midnight mass, Mohr sang the tenor part and played the guitar, while Gruber sang bass. The choir did the refrains. The congregation responded to the song enthusiastically.

The song became very popular and was sung widely in Europe. Mohr continued to serve in various parishes. His last parish was at the Alpine village of Wagrain. Mohr, remembering his own past, opened a school which took in poor children. He spent almost all his money to finance the school and also a ministry to the elderly. He died at Wagrain in 1848 as poor as he was born, but has left us a great legacy. It is believed that his Christmas carol has been translated into 300 languages and dialects. A museum and memorial for Mohr exists in Wagrain.
Joseph Mohr continued to serve in various parishes.

PHOTO: Joseph Mohr continued to serve in various parishes. His last parish was at the Alpine village of Wagrain.  It is believed that his Christmas carol has been translated into 300 languages and dialects. A museum and memorial for Mohr exists in Wagrain.
Picture posted by Flachau
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The song was first published in Germany in 1833 in a sheet music booklet. It reached America in 1839. The first English translation was completed in 1849 by J. F. Warner. It was published in The Devotional Harmonist in 1851. The first verse was:

Silent night! Hallow'd night!
Land and deep silent sleep;
Softly glitters bright Bethlehem's star.
Beckoning Israel's eye from afar
Where the Saviour is born.

The English version we are familiar with today was the work of Rev. (Bishop) John Freeman Yong (1820-1885) and was published in 1859 in Carols for Christmas Tide. Several other English translations followed, with some editors inserting their own stanzas.
Rev. (Bishop) John Freeman Yong (1820-1885) translated the German 'Stille Nacht' into the English version 'Silent Night'.

PHOTO: Rev. (Bishop) John Freeman Yong (1820-1885) translated the German 'Stille Nacht' into the English version 'Silent Night'. It was published in 1859 in Carols for Christmas Tide.
Picture posted by Padre Steve's World on 22 December 2013 at 11:33
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https://padresteve.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/21760570.jpg
https://padresteve.com/2013/12/22/silent-night-the-hymn-that-transcends-language-culture-and-ideology/


At the beginning of World War I, something strange and poignant (saddening) happened. The opposing sides (French and British versus the Germans) had dug in on either side of the front line in France. Trench warfare was a deadly business, with each side bombarding the other with relentless gunfire, artillery shells, and eventually poison gas. Millions of young men were sacrificed in the trenches, which were often muddy and carried the stench of warfare and death. In the first four months of the war, a million young men had already been killed.

On Christmas Eve, 1914, an extraordinary scene emerged from the dark trenches. Someone on the German side began singing "Silent Night", and others joined in. The English responded by singing "The First Noel", and the Germans applauded. Soon they were singing Christmas carols, joining in the familiar ones in their own languages. They started walking into the no man's land between the trenches, where just the previous day men had been killed. They exchanged Christmas greetings and gifts, and showed photographs of their families to one another.

At another location, soldiers buried each other's dead comrades. A solitary voice sang "Silent Night" in French and was soon joined by German voices singing the carol in German.

The soldiers abandoned their hostilities along a 500-mile line on the Western Front to get together and celebrate Christmas and their common humanity. The reality of Jesus as the peace between those entrenched in hostilities was displayed marvellously, through momentarily. Duty and fresh orders from headquarters disrupted the moment's magical peace, and soon the soldiers were back in their trenches shooting at and killing each other. What had occurred is a haunting demonstration of the truth that Jesus is "our peace" and our only hope amid the darkness and gloom of human aggression and conflict.

On Christmas Eve, 1914, an extraordinary scene emerged from the dark trenches.


PHOTO: On Christmas Eve, 1914, an extraordinary scene emerged from the dark trenches. Someone on the German side began singing "Silent Night", and others joined in. The English responded by singing "The First Noel", and the Germans applauded. Soon they were singing Christmas carols, joining in the familiar ones in their own languages. They started walking into the no man's land between the trenches, where just the previous day men had been killed. They exchanged Christmas greetings and gifts, and showed photographs of their families to one another.
Picture posted by Milton Souza on Thursday, 22 December 2016 at 00:12
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http://harmoniasangreal.blogspot.com/2016/12/stille-nacht.html


Meditate on how the birth of Jesus assures you that God is mindful of your plight. What does God's embrace of sinful but repentant human beings mean for you personally? Take time to pray for Christ's peace for yourself and for those dear to you as well as for the world.

Meditate on how the birth of Jesus assures you that God is mindful of your plight.
Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
The first stanza casts a spell over us as it introduces the beautiful scene of the birth of Christ: when all is quiet and peaceful, and the new-born baby is peacefully sleeping. But Christ was born into a troubled world. Within a matter of months, the boys born in Bethlehem were massacred by the order of an insecure and cruel King Herod. It is nice to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Christmas story, but we must never forget that Christ came to a violent and troubled world. In a unique 1966 rendering of this carol, Simon and Garfunkel superimposed a recompilation of the seven o'clock news over their singing of "Silent Night" - it was news of a troubled world.
The beautiful scene of the birth of Christ

PHOTO: The beautiful scene of the birth of Christ: when all is quiet and peaceful, and the new-born baby is peacefully sleeping. But Christ was born into a troubled world. Within a matter of months, the boys born in Bethlehem were massacred by the order of an insecure and cruel King Herod.
Potrait by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (30 November 1825 -  19 August 1905) - Innocence 2, 1893
Picture posted by overstockart.com
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https://www.overstockart.com/painting/bouguereau-innocence-1893


The experience of the shepherds, who heard and saw angels sing praises to God and declare peace to men, is the subject of the second stanza. The shepherds were terrified by the sight, but the angel reassured them, telling them to not be afraid. It was an awesome sight as glories streamed "from Heaven afar" (Stanza 2), and it was connected to the good news of the birth of the Saviour of the world.


The experience of the shepherds, who heard and saw angels sing praises to God and declare peace to men.
PHOTO: The experience of the shepherds, who heard and saw angels sing praises to God and declare peace to men. The shepherds were terrified by the sight, but the angel reassured them, telling them to not be afraid. An awesome sight as glories streamed "from Heaven afar", and it was connected to the good news of the birth of the Saviour of the world.
Picture posted by hugocolodedeus
Picture saved from Annapetrovich - Great cloud of witnesses
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/633529872560257039/?lp=true
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-angels-from-realms-of-glory.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/11/reflection-it-came-upon-midnight-clear.html


The third stanza addresses Jesus Christ the Lord. He is acknowledged as the Son of God, and His holiness and love are described in the phrase "love's pure light" (Stanza 3). The face of Jesus shows divinity, as "radiant beams" (Stanza3) arise from it. We are reminded of how Christ is the "radiance of God's glory" (Hebrews 1:3). His is the "glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). With Him, we see the "dawn of redeeming grace" (Stanza 3) - a reference to the grace of God that reaches us through Christ to save us from our sins and death. Jesus is acknowledged and addressed as Lord - one who is God and Ruler of our lives and everything connected to them.


Jesus Christ is acknowledged as the Son of God, and His holiness and love are 'love's pure light'.


PHOTO: Jesus Christ is acknowledged as the Son of God, and His holiness and love are 'love's pure light'. His is the "glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth". With Him, we see the "dawn of redeeming grace" - a reference to the grace of God that reaches us through Christ to save us from our sins and death. Jesus is acknowledged and addressed as Lord - one who is God and Ruler of our lives and everything connected to them.
Picture by Yongsung Kim - I Shall Not Want (The word "want" means "lack")
Picture posted by Foundation Arts
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https://www.foundationarts.com/i-shall-not-want


The last three stanzas are not familiar to most people because they are seldom included in hymnals or song sheets. They continue to tell the story of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how He came to save humankind. The fourth stanza describes the coming of Christ as the arrival of God's "healing light" - reminiscent of Scripture comparing the arrival of the Messiah to how the "sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its ray" (Malachi 4:2). The kingdom of Jesus is "the heavenly kingdom" (Stanza 4), not of this world (John 18:36). With Christ came God's "abundant grace" (Stanza 4), as Paul reminds us: "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:14). It is in this way that God in Christ offers salvation for all, for Christ is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). In Christ, "the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people" (Titus 2:11). Though God's grace is available to all, only those who receive Jesus and believe in His name will be saved and be called the children of God (John 1:12).
The kingdom of Jesus is 'the heavenly kingdom', not of this world.

PHOTO: The kingdom of Jesus is 'the heavenly kingdom', not of this world. With Christ came God's "abundant grace". It is in this way that God in Christ offers salvation for all, for Christ is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  In Christ, "the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people". Though God's grace is available to all, only those who receive Jesus and believe in His name will be saved and be called the children of God.
Picture by Yongsung Kim - Rejoice in His Light
Picture posted by Foundation Arts
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https://www.foundationarts.com/rejoice-in-his-light


What does God's embrace of sinful but repentant human beings mean for you personally?
The fifth stanza brings us back to the Christmas scene, reminding us that God sent His only begotten Son to earth below. From Him "all blessings flow" (Stanza 5), because God "has blessed us . . . with every spiritual blessing in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3), When Jesus "embraces mankind" (Stanza 5), we receive God's reconciling love as He offers forgiveness in Christ to every prodigal sinner who has strayed away from His fatherly love (see Luke 15:20, where the waiting father ran to his prodigal and now repentant son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him). As the words of another hymn, "Here is Love", put it,

And Heav'n's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.


Christmas remind us that God sent His only begotten Son to earth below to embrace mankind.

PHOTO: Christmas remind us that God sent His only begotten Son to earth below to embrace mankind. When Jesus "embraces mankind", we receive God's reconciling love. He offers forgiveness in Christ to every prodigal sinner who has strayed away from His fatherly love (see Luke 15:20, where the waiting father ran to his prodigal and now repentant son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him).
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Silent Night.png
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Take time to pray for Christ's peace for yourself and for those dear to you as well as for the world.
The final stanza declares Jesus to be God's promise for peace. As the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), Jesus brings us peace as declared by the angel at His birth: "Peace to those on whom his favour rests" (Luke 2:14). Jesus promised peace to those who would trust in Him. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). Because of what He achieved for us on the cross - our justification, forgiveness, and eternal life - "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). He also brings reconciliation between human beings who are divided by common hatred. As redeemed peoples, they experience the peace brought by Christ. "He came and preached peace" to "create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace" (Ephesians 2:17, 15).
Take time to pray for Christ's peace for ourself and for those dear to us as well as for the world.

PHOTO: Take time to pray for Christ's peace for ourself and for those dear to us as well as for the world. Jesus brings us peace as declared by the angel at His birth. Jesus promised peace to those who would trust in Him. Because of what He achieved for us on the cross - our justification, forgiveness, and eternal life - "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).  He also brings reconciliation between human beings who are divided by common hatred.
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In short, it is through Jesus that we have peace with God, peace within us, and peace among ourselves. "Mindful of mankind's plight" (Stanza 6), God has acted decisively to free us all from our earthly woes and brought healing and peace where it is greatly needed. What a precious gospel! What a precious birth! What a glorious Saviour!
It is through Jesus that we have peace with God, peace within us, and peace among ourselves.

PHOTO: It is through Jesus that we have peace with God, peace within us, and peace among ourselves. Mindful of mankind's plight, God has acted decisively to free us all from our earthly woes and brought healing and peace where it is greatly needed.
Picture posted by zimbio.com - (L-R) Recording artist Miranda Lambert, honoree Reba McEntire and recording artist Kelly Clarkson perform onstage during the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards at Music City Center on December 15, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Dear Lord


Dear Lord
PHOTO: “Dear Lord, the birth of Jesus assures us that You are mindful of our plight. Christ was born into a troubled world. Within a matter of months, the boys born in Bethlehem were massacred by the order of an insecure and cruel King Herod.

The shepherds were terrified by the sight of angels singing praises to God and declare peace to men when Jesus was born. But the angel reassured them, telling them to not be afraid. It was an awesome sight as glories streamed from Heaven afar, and it was connected to the good news of the birth of the Saviour of the world.

With Jesus we see the dawn of Your redeeming grace that reaches us through Christ to save us from our sins and death. Jesus is acknowledged and addressed as Lord - one who is God and Ruler of our lives and everything connected to them.

The coming of Christ is as the arrival of Your healing light. The kingdom of Jesus is the heavenly kingdom, not of this world. With Christ came God's abundant grace. It is in this way that You in Christ offers salvation for all. By receiving Jesus and believe in His name we will be saved and be called the children of God.

Thank You for embracing us who are sinful but repentant. Thank You for Your reconciling love as You offers forgiveness in Christ to every prodigal sinner who has strayed away from Your fatherly love. We want to be the repentant son receiving Your fatherly love for ever.

We want Your fatherly love and Christ’s peace not only for ourselves but also for those dear to us, and for the world as well. Thank You for having Jesus Christ achieved for us on the cross - our justification, forgiveness, and eternal life. Thank You for bringing reconciliation between us human beings who are divided by common hatred. As redeemed peoples, we can experience the peace brought by Christ as promised by You and declared by the angel at His birth.

Because of Your being mindful of our plight, through Jesus we can have peace with You, peace within us, and peace among ourselves. Thank You for acting decisively to free us all from our earthly woes and brought healing and peace where it is greatly needed.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!”
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/09/reflection-letting-christ-live-in-us_22.html
 
Reflection - Silent Night
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 16, "Silent Night", Page 165.
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

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
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)
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
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
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 16, "Silent Night", Page 155-165.


New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Timothy 1:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+1%3A14&version=NIV

Ephesians 1:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A3&version=NIV

Ephesians 2:17, 15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A17%2C+15&version=NIV

Hebrews 1:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A3&version=NIV

Isaiah 9:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A6&version=NIV

John 1:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A12&version=NIV

John 1:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A14&version=NIV

John 1:29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A29&version=NIV

John 14:27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A27&version=NIV

John 18:36 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+18%3A36&version=NIV

Luke 2:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A14&version=NIV

Luke 15:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A20&version=NIV 

Malachi 4:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+4%3A2&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Romans 5:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A1&version=NIV

Titus 2:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+2%3A11%29&version=NIV

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