Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Reflection - Walking With Christ - The Boys Of Bethlehem

Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 16, "The Boys Of Bethlehem", Page 90.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012


 At the end of every year, the story of Christmas is told countless times in nativity plays, sermons, and magazine articles.
PHOTO: At the end of every year, the story of Christmas is told countless times in nativity plays, sermons, and magazine articles. The story of Jesus' birth brings joy to our hearts and smiles to our faces. Familiar carols ring out in churches and shopping centres, on our car radios and in town centres. Where Santa Claus is thankfully absent, we get to see in his place shepherds and sheep, angels and wise men, and are reminded of the biblical account.

One important part of the story is, however, often forgotten or left untold, probably because of its darkness, violence, and pain. Who wants to be reminded of such things while celebrating Christmas? But the details are there in the Bible and form an integral part of the Christmas story.

The wise men from the east lost their way as they followed the star to greet the newborn king. It took them some time to find the baby. Who could blame them for thinking that the child born to be king would not be found anywhere other than the palace? Their logic brought them to the palace of King Herod, who, having heard their story, found out that the Messiah King would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). Herod's jealousy and insecurity joined forces with his shrewdness. He tried to fool the wise men with false piety, ordering them to return to him once they had found the child. His actual purpose was to pinpoint the child's exact location and identity, to get rid of this new competitor for the throne, but he pretended that he too wanted to worship this newborn king.

So the angels got to work. They warned the wise men of Herod's evil plans and they avoided Jerusalem on their way back, so that Herod did not get the information he wanted so badly. When Herod realised that he had been outsmarted, the dam burst and the evil in his heart spilled out into the open. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem, and because he did not know where (or who) the newborn king was, with cruel calculation he ordered the soldiers to kill all the boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and under.

It was a tragic sight. The little boys of Bethlehem were slaughtered that day. Their infant cries were silenced by the swords of violent men executing the heartless command of a wicked ruler. Their mother wept and wailed as all hell broke loose in the city. Their hearts were pierced and shattered. And their fathers stood helplessly by, unable to stop the rampaging evil.

The boy that wicked Herod wanted to kill was not there in Bethlehem that fateful day. An angel had warned Joseph of Herod's despicable intentions and instructed him to bring mother and child to Egypt, far away from the reach of Herod's sword. Soon after this Herod, the man who tried to secure his throne with violence, lost his grip on life and died. It was as if heaven had pronounced judgment. Only then was Jesus brought back from Egypt.

The world into which Jesus was born was ugly with human sin and wickedness. It still is. Every now and then Herods emerge, tainting history with their gross violence. Massacres of innocent souls continue to stain the sad pages of history with blood. The voices of victims cry out asking if this will ever end. The spilled blood of the slain cries out to heaven for justice and redemption (Genesis 4:10).

The birth of Jesus was the long-awaited answer from heaven. God the Son emptied himself for our sake and became a man (Philippians 2:6-8). He stepped into the swirling mud of a world gone mad with sin. He left the sweet fragrance of heaven for the stench of a world of human depravity. Yes, if you think seriously about it, everyone has a bit of Herod in him, One might not be a desperately wicked as Herod, but the same depravity dwells in every human heart.

It was to save the human race from sin that Jesus was born. He made himself so vulnerable that He, through whom the world was made, had to be brought to the safety of Egypt, away from the violent swings of Herod's sword. He was kept from harm, only to be violently killed by crucifixion at the young age of 33. But this was necessary, for without the shedding of His blood there would be no salvation for the world (Hebrews 9:14).

Christmas, then, is the story of a God who loved the world so much that He acted in the most amazing way. The Christmas story is indeed good news because the Saviour of the world was born that day. It is good news the way an oasis is good news in a vast and arid (dried up) desert. The good news of Christmas is all the more vivid against the backdrop of the world in its suffering and sin.

It is too bad that we often sanitise the manger scene, making Christmas all fluffy and nice, white and squeaky clean, minus the stench of beasts of burden and the gut-wrenching hunger pangs of poverty, all very much part of the Christmas story too. We turn down the wailing of heart-torn mothers, weeping for their massacred infants sons. But that was the real world into which Jesus was born. And it is in such a world that the birth of Jesus, the Saviour and light of the world, becomes truly good news. Indeed, light is good news in darkness. A cup of water is good news in the desert. So is Jesus good news in a world trapped in sin.

The boy of Bethlehem were mercilessly killed that awful day. One might say that they died so that the Boy of Bethlehem could be saved. Years later, however, this Boy of Bethlehem showed that it was in fact He who came to earth to die, so that the boys of Bethlehem could ultimately be saved. For while the heavenly Father received the slained boys into His arms, never to be troubled again, He left His Son on earth to finish His painful work. It was the Boy who died in place of the boys, just as He was sacrificed for you and for me.

Jesus was born as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That is the good news of Christmas. Mary, who bore Jesus, saw all that was happening and "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19, 51).

On every Christmas, we can do the same. In the midst of the frantic celebrations, where Christmas is often emptied of its true context (tragic world) and significance (good news), let us remember the real world into which Jesus was born, praising God that Jesus truly is good news for a dying world. Let us, like Mary, find time to treasure these truths and ponder them in our hearts.
 

At the end of every year, the story of Christmas is told countless times in nativity plays, sermons, and magazine articles. The story of Jesus' birth brings joy to our hearts and smiles to our faces. Familiar carols ring out in churches and shopping centres, on our car radios and in town centres. Where Santa Claus is thankfully absent, we get to see in his place shepherds and sheep, angels and wise men, and are reminded of the biblical account.


 At the end of every year, the story of Christmas is told countless times in nativity plays, sermons, and magazine articles.
PHOTO: At the end of every year, the story of Christmas is told countless times in nativity plays, sermons, and magazine articles. The story of Jesus' birth brings joy to our hearts and smiles to our faces. Familiar carols ring out in churches and shopping centres, on our car radios and in town centres. Where Santa Claus is thankfully absent, we get to see in his place shepherds and sheep, angels and wise men, and are reminded of the biblical account.
Picture posted by Netflix
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV7fY0OH5KJZG5sREqBt4dKSDCELXyjfk2SGqMTEb9QykvlAzzPEWyqMxn5AWMod5PIf2E1XSeHaGCmjQKY84ffpVguHBdcGRoVH-vs2lGMPNZQQhiq2FdtMEPz_ZL6y_BzOup-HxeKVHlNl54fQGeaY_p1xVykljQgUyiuS3lQc9iM2M9FlFX_u0p9k/s1280/AAAABR1fhZxvrkbyVnHuevElscMWIroqGfAJzhhJq5er9WLAuuRoSw-IoeAMr7XMM73pwefcF0zpLKQ6BQtmn0fO4Ml0cLT3UKEZRLLQ.jpg
https://occ-0-7874-58.1.nflxso.net/dnm/api/v6/E8vDc_W8CLv7-yMQu8KMEC7Rrr8/AAAABR1fhZxvrkbyVnHuevElscMWIroqGfAJzhhJq5er9WLAuuRoSw-IoeAMr7XMM73pwefcF0zpLKQ6BQtmn0fO4Ml0cLT3UKEZRLLQ.jpg?r=26d
https://www.netflix.com/sg/title/81416312


One important part of the story is, however, often forgotten or left untold, probably because of its darkness, violence, and pain. Who wants to be reminded of such things while celebrating Christmas? But the details are there in the Bible and form an integral part of the Christmas story.

The wise men from the east lost their way as they followed the star to greet the newborn king. It took them some time to find the baby. Who could blame them for thinking that the child born to be king would not be found anywhere other than the palace? Their logic brought them to the palace of King Herod, who, having heard their story, found out that the Messiah King would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). Herod's jealousy and insecurity joined forces with his shrewdness. He tried to fool the wise men with false piety, ordering them to return to him once they had found the child. His actual purpose was to pinpoint the child's exact location and identity, to get rid of this new competitor for the throne, but he pretended that he too wanted to worship this newborn king.


 The wise men from the east lost their way as they followed the star to greet the newborn king.
PHOTO: The wise men from the east lost their way as they followed the star to greet the newborn king. It took them some time to find the baby. Who could blame them for thinking that the child born to be king would not be found anywhere other than the palace? Their logic brought them to the palace of King Herod, who, having heard their story, found out that the Messiah King would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). Herod's jealousy and insecurity joined forces with his shrewdness. He tried to fool the wise men with false piety, ordering them to return to him once they had found the child. His actual purpose was to pinpoint the child's exact location and identity, to get rid of this new competitor for the throne, but he pretended that he too wanted to worship this newborn king.
Picture posted by Goodsalt
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt3Cso0m0Qu8S_2ZdXDiim0Rp5ga9ixlF1RTE3i18ybwiFrPwuDrUFrLGeuGCKy3v8ljRG6UeXWKj7PANtRd-OeX2FzxeUs0t0dYTMwx3h1wJsVqyWd_P1UMfJRrIwnyD0FH-ADy518gj4DJIHgvT61abyw8P3Bivq90Jc3ayJZTqiH3Xal15FpEsB8U/s1024/wise-men-before-king-herod-GoodSalt-lfwas1796.jpg
https://d2m0pjxd1qu1dv.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/99040a258b4f28f6501eb305af23213f/w/i/wise-men-before-king-herod-GoodSalt-lfwas1796.jpg
https://www.goodsalt.com/wise-men-before-king-herod


So the angels got to work. They warned the wise men of Herod's evil plans and they avoided Jerusalem on their way back, so that Herod did not get the information he wanted so badly. When Herod realised that he had been outsmarted, the dam burst and the evil in his heart spilled out into the open. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem, and because he did not know where (or who) the newborn king was, with cruel calculation he ordered the soldiers to kill all the boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and under.

It was a tragic sight. The little boys of Bethlehem were slaughtered that day. Their infant cries were silenced by the swords of violent men executing the heartless command of a wicked ruler. Their mother wept and wailed as all hell broke loose in the city. Their hearts were pierced and shattered. And their fathers stood helplessly by, unable to stop the rampaging evil.


 So the angels got to work.
PHOTO: So the angels got to work. They warned the wise men of Herod's evil plans and they avoided Jerusalem on their way back, so that Herod did not get the information he wanted so badly. When Herod realised that he had been outsmarted, the dam burst and the evil in his heart spilled out into the open. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem, and because he did not know where (or who) the newborn king was, with cruel calculation he ordered the soldiers to kill all the boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and under.
Artwork by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT -  The Virgin and Child surrounded by the Holy Innocents
Picture posted by Wikipedia
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv04K62GBrD8lUrqcKJWTBEXscJ7xVh9ox628uXXy2surRXJGh2LhAWX2eICSUl3FHF6s9GhjbrQItm7va65-LEtpOMJaR7-1RyL9-yFgWtMYoSs5f6WAZR2S1RZSlMQTKVZIt0D0_m9CkZjXxQHTJ3JjvqR0rmUAjLoFgX2Ya9RNNo9Rs7moSRFNmC4/s2975/0_La_Vierge_%C3%A0_l'Enfant_entour%C3%A9e_des_saints_Innocents_-_Louvre_-_(2).JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/0_La_Vierge_%C3%A0_l%27Enfant_entour%C3%A9e_des_saints_Innocents_-_Louvre_-_%282%29.JPG
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:0_La_Vierge_%C3%A0_l'Enfant_entour%C3%A9e_des_saints_Innocents_-_Louvre_-_(2).JPG


The boy that wicked Herod wanted to kill was not there in Bethlehem that fateful day. An angel had warned Joseph of Herod's despicable intentions and instructed him to bring mother and child to Egypt, far away from the reach of Herod's sword. Soon after this Herod, the man who tried to secure his throne with violence, lost his grip on life and died. It was as if heaven had pronounced judgment. Only then was Jesus brought back from Egypt.

The world into which Jesus was born was ugly with human sin and wickedness. It still is. Every now and then Herods emerge, tainting history with their gross violence. Massacres of innocent souls continue to stain the sad pages of history with blood. The voices of victims cry out asking if this will ever end. The spilled blood of the slain cries out to heaven for justice and redemption (Genesis 4:10).


 The world into which Jesus was born was ugly with human sin and wickedness.
PHOTO: The world into which Jesus was born was ugly with human sin and wickedness. It still is. Every now and then Herods emerge, tainting history with their gross violence. Massacres of innocent souls continue to stain the sad pages of history with blood. The voices of victims cry out asking if this will ever end. The spilled blood of the slain cries out to heaven for justice and redemption (Genesis 4:10).
Picture posted by Wikipedia
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWp_Zl8TxhdEKiN2lAiwv9Z7KjKKiZHl2j9sBaW0IGvamv1LZFTPupFU0CULk2rGE1CSts-EmBsDY1HKZKTjo6Wvvx6R1QQLf_7wlePmwNwIevv-49pVSLy5wmoQYvtS7ofo_YA94BvrZR8m9_w2fKzIKjPatSYn59kYkhlsx0ckWKVKjNM1VJJIAFUPI/s2024/Matteo_di_Giovanni_002.jpg
https://en-academic.com/pictures/enwiki/77/Matteo_di_Giovanni_002.jpg
https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/42379


The birth of Jesus was the long-awaited answer from heaven. God the Son emptied himself for our sake and became a man (Philippians 2:6-8). He stepped into the swirling mud of a world gone mad with sin. He left the sweet fragrance of heaven for the stench of a world of human depravity. Yes, if you think seriously about it, everyone has a bit of Herod in him, One might not be a desperately wicked as Herod, but the same depravity dwells in every human heart.

It was to save the human race from sin that Jesus was born. He made himself so vulnerable that He, through whom the world was made, had to be brought to the safety of Egypt, away from the violent swings of Herod's sword. He was kept from harm, only to be violently killed by crucifixion at the young age of 33. But this was necessary, for without the shedding of His blood there would be no salvation for the world (Hebrews 9:14).


 It was to save the human race from sin that Jesus was born.
PHOTO: It was to save the human race from sin that Jesus was born. He made himself so vulnerable that He, through whom the world was made, had to be brought to the safety of Egypt, away from the violent swings of Herod's sword. He was kept from harm, only to be violently killed by crucifixion at the young age of 33. But this was necessary, for without the shedding of His blood there would be no salvation for the world (Hebrews 9:14).
Picture posted by Obededomu on Thursday, 29 September 2022 at 12:06 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAAfKBtY313QqjCYqcI8JRzG1bHsdvRtarL15earZKMP6qoigoySLQAdgruv9hwqp_M1v6DgcGa-yYkCYnWfTrpKjf6fl5lK-m8xc5ZrUcWwKzDRW97SeoQY0JIsiU8OzBE6SpV4WZU92KFWdYdjwO0Dv0fVzNeU5dB5MetHOuT2knDfm3Va6LqBuy08/s1087/306851387_460324819459787_6165267854698163536_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin14-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/306851387_460324819459787_6165267854698163536_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=UFQCyTKlxR8AX9OTMlK&_nc_oc=AdivSTWfhz2pjDPB5VDUiJgfJky3UtgX7EEhz9OEX6YSZ8GccFetBYUgaM_qdYrePtQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin14-1.fna&oh=00_AfDLumdgK6OWGUWoC19RIsbVH0tx_eZ8Cqjg73gasANDYw&oe=6611B26F
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=460324822793120&set=pb.100064468189156.-2207520000

Christmas, then, is the story of a God who loved the world so much that He acted in the most amazing way. The Christmas story is indeed good news because the Saviour of the world was born that day. It is good news the way an oasis is good news in a vast and arid (dried up) desert. The good news of Christmas is all the more vivid against the backdrop of the world in its suffering and sin.

It is too bad that we often sanitise the manger scene, making Christmas all fluffy and nice, white and squeaky clean, minus the stench of beasts of burden and the gut-wrenching hunger pangs of poverty, all very much part of the Christmas story too. We turn down the wailing of heart-torn mothers, weeping for their massacred infants sons. But that was the real world into which Jesus was born. And it is in such a world that the birth of Jesus, the Saviour and light of the world, becomes truly good news. Indeed, light is good news in darkness. A cup of water is good news in the desert. So is Jesus good news in a world trapped in sin.


 It is too bad that we often sanitise the manger scene, making Christmas all fluffy and nice, white and squeaky clean, minus the stench of beasts of burden and the gut-wrenching hunger pangs of poverty, all very much part of the Christmas story too.
PHOTO: It is too bad that we often sanitise the manger scene, making Christmas all fluffy and nice, white and squeaky clean, minus the stench of beasts of burden and the gut-wrenching hunger pangs of poverty, all very much part of the Christmas story too. We turn down the wailing of heart-torn mothers, weeping for their massacred infants sons. But that was the real world into which Jesus was born. And it is in such a world that the birth of Jesus, the Saviour and light of the world, becomes truly good news. Indeed, light is good news in darkness. A cup of water is good news in the desert. So is Jesus good news in a world trapped in sin.
Picture posted by Depositphotos
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FdVbRXaeeGXTHwEEn41iLMnB5uC4Bd2w0B2ZyDT9nQpDs1ALeeSI9HZU2ycH1yMipAprKNMi4mNpiXKJ9Gfw_E10vZlDsvDCREN1tZ_jc5RVWbSraZBhCJcFx_qJB50eP-PCKlLWnLo3NWJShX_IMLvLN4gRVEvVXqf4oAdX7mUJzi_BPCxoFfuEoAs/s1200/depositphotos_236183766-stock-photo-young-crazy-desperate-upset-asian-1200x798.jpg
https://st4.depositphotos.com/17007214/23618/i/450/depositphotos_236183766-stock-photo-young-crazy-desperate-upset-asian.jpg
https://depositphotos.com/photo/young-crazy-desperate-upset-asian-korean-woman-screaming-scared-anxious-236183766.html


The boy of Bethlehem were mercilessly killed that awful day. One might say that they died so that the Boy of Bethlehem could be saved. Years later, however, this Boy of Bethlehem showed that it was in fact He who came to earth to die, so that the boys of Bethlehem could ultimately be saved. For while the heavenly Father received the slained boys into His arms, never to be troubled again, He left His Son on earth to finish His painful work. It was the Boy who died in place of the boys, just as He was sacrificed for you and for me.

Jesus was born as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That is the good news of Christmas. Mary, who bore Jesus, saw all that was happening and "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19, 51).


 Jesus was born as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
PHOTO: Jesus was born as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That is the good news of Christmas. Mary, who bore Jesus, saw all that was happening and "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19, 51).
Picture posted by tumblr
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlu_4LoAnADuSnTtDu0HJXIu7uwXE6EHXe0z__5P-EAp8jfz2sg1u_LK4ewCo_InqyASzz3Vob1Vhl03LvO_vAwzYuZmeo-kMIvvjehyAOyMjDTsl-i-JUm-704e-Hqd7zmjo2QmeX6-nZqqfUXR9T-4lvrWV7tCSkvy9QSMhOu5LkldxWfbtjLUJrdA/s1920/tumblr_mebmicH4qx1rsd0e4o1_1280.jpg
https://etverbumcarofactumest.tumblr.com/image/37046936357
https://etverbumcarofactumest.tumblr.com/post/37046936357/catholicsoul-catholicsoul-blessed-be-the


On every Christmas, we can do the same. In the midst of the frantic celebrations, where Christmas is often emptied of its true context (tragic world) and significance (good news), let us remember the real world into which Jesus was born, praising God that Jesus truly is good news for a dying world. Let us, like Mary, find time to treasure these truths and ponder them in our hearts.


 On every Christmas, we can do the same. In the midst of the frantic celebrations, where Christmas is often emptied of its true context (tragic world) and significance (good news)
PHOTO: On every Christmas, we can do the same. In the midst of the frantic celebrations, where Christmas is often emptied of its true context (tragic world) and significance (good news), let us remember the real world into which Jesus was born, praising God that Jesus truly is good news for a dying world. Let us, like Mary, find time to treasure these truths and ponder them in our hearts.
Picture posted by thecandidcatholic on 17 July 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uN58UnEsTVhjr278owicLt5OYC-bOY7wZWdoZEVTTvFEM0qHh7-jyvWeXivkQOfj620gApH8WsLGJe9O375f7rakqhVYjvynJzkD9gFoPGop98LiOBg-6lDW5bcSuDYuqrPoElVLeQBd_c87yM9DwQuSf-4ux8ocbtYXKpgCOxmvsIu2E3VfRZQuUS8/s800/420449376_18211273456263841_5833295782767661172_n.jpg
https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/420449376_18211273456263841_5833295782767661172_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e15_p640x640&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6ImltYWdlX3VybGdlbi43MzF4OTE0LnNkciJ9&_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=101&_nc_ohc=LAfXFsWaq2AAX_cM0Tu&edm=APs17CUAAAAA&ccb=7-5&oh=00_AfD9NDYLiF_HMy2FB4PIZv_hgLA29poN_AAg4TeZjUPnwg&oe=6611C989&_nc_sid=10d13b
https://www.instagram.com/thecandidcatholic/p/C2NGg_4rXv6/?img_index=8
 

 Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray that on every Christmas, we remember the real world into which Jesus was born, praising God that Jesus truly is good news for a dying world..

God left His Son on earth to finish His painful work. It was the Boy who died in place of the boys, just as He was sacrificed for you and for me.

Indeed, light is good news in darkness. A cup of water is good news in the desert. So is Jesus good news in a world trapped in sin.

In the midst of the frantic celebrations, where Christmas is often emptied of its true context (tragic world) and significance (good news). Let us, like Mary, find time to treasure these truths and ponder them in our hearts.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen."
Picture posted by thecandidcatholic on 17 July 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMqY0NJTqrBjctOTamepnJl9tjRCA4H3Oe3D4mTFgtqm1rUqgrR0gPUUrJPe6u-WpYQcvflAl15RB9cTXK7aviXvLZShF9DrfAcz44Lyz4MdCR5gI3HvkryqaqU4vgg_UW04mIMKKSsPNTjuoCc0oo-8Qup_pSERk0RCrmjYHlisv4Ttpzv7Jh6xw_Nk/s800/420188400_18211273447263841_3436823611403996236_n.jpg
Reflection - Walking With Christ - The Boys Of Bethlehem
Source (book): "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Chapter 16, "The Boys Of Bethlehem", Page 90.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012



"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 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 
 
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God",  © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

 Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html
 

"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html

 
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/10/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-46-90.html



Reference
[1] From "Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon, Chapter 16, "The Boys Of Bethlehem", Page 90.


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