Calvin Synod Herald, 1986 (86. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986 / 5-6. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 3 -CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Our most sacred celebrations are often spiritually bankrupted by the idea that the only way forexpressing your gratitude or love in something which can be purchased by money. We cannot change the world by eliminating the commercialism and materialism from the celebration of Christmas. The celebration can be restored to integrity by freeing it from mechanical and materialistic considerations, — by restoring the original meaning. Preoccupied with differenc preparations, selecting proper gifts for every member of the family including closest relatives, thinking about last minute purchases at shopping centers, or making the necessary travel arrangements, cleaning every corner of the house — are included in our busy schedule. And it happens quite often that we are unable to finish our preparations and we find that Christmas does not arrive at a very convenient time. The incarnation — arrival of the Son of God in human form on that first Christmas happened at a very inconvenient time and place. Even Joseph and Mary were not ready for Him. Are we really ready for His arrival? The Savior has come and He keeps coming when He chooses whether you are ready for Him or not. The reason we do not see more manifestation of the “divine presence is because the way is not prepared. We cry to God to come into our hearts and into our churches, but we expect Him to come over the rubbish.” We are always disappointed. Can we never learn the lesson? How much we need to apply the words: Let every heart prepare Him room! The Bible testifies to God’s love. “I have loved you — saystheLord.”(Malachi 1:2). “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."(John 2:17) The tragedy is that we who live today do not want to perceive that saving love. We reject it in complete ignorance. We are reminded of Christmas by an outburst of generosity toward family, friends and even strangers. The gifts might be useful for a certain time or occasion. When they outlived their usefulness, they are discarded. It is really hard to love the unlovable, to be kind to the unkind, or give hope to the hopeless. We should not postpone the occasions which come to us. Whatever is to be done, should be done today. When we have an opportunity to do good, we should do it. Too many of us put off until tomorrow what we should do today. Tomorrow never seem to come, and we have lost our opportunity to do that which should have been done today. Opportunities for reaching out are so abundant every day — if only we were not blinded to see them. Jesus came into the world not only to set an example, but to become our Savior. It is only as we receive Him that we are able to follow Him because He indwells in us. How shall we welcome Him, — in what manner, with what desires, in what attitude of mind and spirit? Without repentance we cannot bow down our head before Him. W ith ill will and lack of forgiveness in our mind we cannot approach Him. Refusing to accept others as they are, especially those who are not our friends — shows us thet we are far away from Christmas. Disobeying His law of love demonstrates the emptiness, our willingnes to serve Him. Often the circumstances will deceive and discourage us to have compete trust in Him. In spite of our doubts and disobediences He is Emanuel (God with us). In fact He is with in our every day life. His presence should determine our conversation, our attitudes and decisions, all our actions. Among the gifts which we should be able to give without any limit, there are forgiveness, understanding, encouragement, grace, mercy, unconditional love. God in Christ gave us much more. The giving and receiving of presents, sending and getting greeting cards, going home again renewing family ties is only one part of the Christmas Spirit which primarily should be an awareness and response to the coming of Christ, the feeling and acceptance and belonging to our Savior. Let us commit again ourselves to Christ Jesus and to His way of love and sacrificial living to make our Christmas meaningful for ourselves as well as for others. In the middle of the chaotic noise we must have time to be silent that we may hear what God has to say to us. We are His covenant people and we have to listen to Him. Give your heart and mind and whole life to him in gratitude and offer Him your sincere praise. In the inner silence of your mind you might hear the cries of the hurt, the voice of children — victims of crimes the voice of poverty and cruelty, the whispers of the lonely and the aged, the alienated. Christ came into the world that He might give us not only material things but He might make us the children of God, a relationship which has been lost. By becoming children we become heirs with Christ. May God give us faith to accept our precious heritage. May God give us a spiritually blessed, happy Christmas. Bishop Zoltán Király Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ! "In those days a decree went out from Ceasar A ugustus that all the world should be enrolled” — so the Christmas Gospel begins. The world into which Christmas came was a world of power, a mighty empire with a smooth administration undergirded by a well-paid and disciplined military organization, the host of Roman legions. But God’s Christmas did not come into the world through this political and military power. “...and... there was no place for them in the inn, ” — so the Gospel story later says. The world into which Christmas came was a busy world, full of action, travels, festivities and gaiety. But God’s Christmas did not come into the world through these activities and places. God has His own way: a simple working man and his young bride. What kind of people were they? Obedient, for one — obedient to the Emperor’s order and to the voice of the angel. A nd courageous — they undertook the dangerous long journey and were not dismayed by the rejection in the inn. Today's worldfar out-tops that old one: in the measure of political and military power: in materialistic thinking, in indifference toward human misery, in cruel oppression of people and races. God’s Christmas cannot come through these. God's way and instruments are still obedient and courageous men and women who revolt against the murderous order of today's world by doing all in their power to save it with the Gospel of Christ. As obedient and as courageous as the parents of Betlehem. May this be our prayer and pledge this Christmas of 1986. The L ord’s grace and peace be with you all Bishop Andrew Harsanyi Hungarian Reformed Church in America
