Here’s a reflective poem about Bethlehem at Christmas during times of war. May the spirit of peace and resilience be with all those touched by conflict. A view of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church's Nativity scene in Bethlehem. Last year, (2023), it portrayed a baby Christ born under rubble and wrapped up in a Palestinian …
(I know, it's the 6th of December. I've been busy. Okay?) That's me that is. Well, quite a hectic few weeks in November. Last November (2023) I had a hospital appointment, the consultant examined me, made his prognosis, gave me some pills and said he'd see me in three months. A year later and the …
Following on from my reflection on Peter's first letter published last month... 5th December 2024 Who Wrote the Book of 2 Peter? Christian tradition states that the Apostle Peter authored 2 Peter, his second letter to church communities in Asia Minor. Context The events in 2 Peter occur in the Roman province of Asia Minor. The …
Continue reading Second Letter of Peter – A Short Reflection…
“You know, it’s all quite splendid,” Said the old man dressed in red, “It’s splendid, splendid, splendid,” He shouted from his sled. “That Christmas time should come again Like clockwork every year. So, I bring you all glad tidings Good wishes and great cheer. Enjoy yourselves, my little flock Good food, good wine and beer. …
Definitions: Otherness is the result of a discursive process by which a dominant in-group (“Us,” the Self) constructs one or many dominated out-groups (“Them,” Other) by stigmatizing a difference – real or imagined – presented as a negation of identity and thus a motive for potential discrimination. Otherness... an image created using Ai. Not the …
Background: Saint Peter (born Shimon Bar Yonah; died AD 64–68), also known as Peter the Apostle, Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon, or Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church. He appears repeatedly and prominently in all four New Testament gospels as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Catholic tradition accredits Peter as the first bishop of Rome—or pope—and also as the …
Continue reading The First Letter of Peter – A short reflection
A Song for Advent. In the quiet of December nights, Candles flicker, soft and bright, Whispers of the ancient story, Of a promise, of a light. Advent bells are ringing, Hope and peace they are bringing, Hearts are eagerly waiting, For the love that’s dawning soon. Stars are gleaming in the sky, Guiding us to …
Twisted vines entwine, Strangling sunlight, reaching high, Green shadows entrap. A tangled web spun, By spiders in the morning dew, A sticky embrace. Lost in the thickets, A path forgotten, unseen, Nature's maze unfolds. https://josephmasonauthor.com/about/ If you like what you read, treat me to a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/josephiu Thank you.
Firstly, who exactly is James? The original pronunciation of this author’s name in Greek is Iakobos, which in Hebrew is spelled Ya’akov. This is why some ancient and modern translations render his name as “Jacob”. There are many called James in the New Testament. Two of them belonged to Jesus’ inner circle of twelve disciples, …
