Calvin Synod Herald, 1992 (92. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1992-11-01 / 6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD-4-REFOMÁTUSOK LAPJA

"WISE MEN"

"Now when Jesus was bom..J!ehold, wise men from the East came...,and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him

gifts." (Matthew 2:1,11)

When our Lord was bom, wise men from the East spared no time, hardships and efforts, but came to worship Him. They were not Kings, as legends have it, but they were Magi, who were the priestly class, teachers, instructors, philosophers, interpreters of dreams, astrologers in the Persian empire. All in all they were men of learning. Yet there are many persons of learning mentioned in the Bible. Yet only Solomon and these Magi of the East are called "wise" in the words of God. Let us ponder together why they are called wise. About Solomon our guidebook tells us, that he was wise, because the Spirit of God was in him. Could the Spirit of God also be in these men of the East, who weren't even Christians, or part of the chosen nation? What can we learn from these wise men? There is a lesson here.

They were wise, because they saw the star, and followed it. I am sure that many, many people saw the same star. Yet they procrastinated, it meant nothing to them, or simply ignored it. Yet the wise saw the star and leaving everything behind, followed it. Did you ever notice the star? And if you did, what did you do about it? These men of the East were wise also, because they came in fellowship. They could have developed rivalry between themselves. Their pride could have driven them to be the first at the manger, beating the others out of this coveted position, but they didn't. They came hand in hand, realizing that it is much easier to find the newborn king in fellowship. If you are wise you can make it easier on yourself to seek Him not individually, but in the fellowship of those, who in no way are perfect but weighed

down with many faults, just like you yourself, yet it is safer and more goal-oriented to travel together.

These travellers were wise, because they did not judge a book by its cover. The meager manger, the untidy stall, the young peasant mother, or a crying infant in this simple setting did not disappoint or disillusion them, but they perceived the real honor and value even in this simple setting. Though at first they did make a mistake by going to the King's palace, looking for the newborn king, but then looking up they corrected their mistake quickly by following the star. Your fellowship hall or church may or may not be the cathedral of Notre Dame, but if you look closely the newborn king is there. Can you find him, or are you looking for something else? Do you notice him, or the simple surroundings and the plain people around you that make you disappointed? These men were also wise, because they brought gifts. They brought all that they had. Not from their surplus, but from their treasure. They brought the God-Child gold, their earthly wealth, not even asking for a receipt, or the parents, or Consistory, how they are going to spend it. They gave their wealth, because it was in their hearts. They also brought him frankincense, a gift of purity, a gift for apriest. While their gift of gold declared him king. Their gift of frankincense declared him our High Priest. The frankincense really is the gift of the inner self, reaching for beauty and purity above our sluggish humanity, like in arts, music, poetry, or the mountaintop of religious experience. They also brought him myrrh, a gift for one who is to die. These wise men perceived

CHRISTMAS BELLS

I beard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The word repeat,

Of "Peace on earth, good will to men!"

And thought bow, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song,

Of "Peace on earth, good will to men!" Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day, - A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime,

Of "Peace on earth, good will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;

God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!" The wrong shall fail,

The right prevail "With peace on earth, good will to men!"

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

in the newborn infant the self-giving, dying God for our sakes. In their gifts they proclaimed him to be our sovereign king, our perfect High priest and our supreme Saviour. They pointed the way for us. This is why we give gifts at Christmas. This is why we bring gifts also to our newborn king in material things, in our aspirations, in our work, in whatever we have, because we recognize him as our King, as our interceding Priest, as our self-giving Saviour.

And what makes these men of the East the wisest of them all is, that "they departed...by another way". Meeting the Christ-child prompted them to change their ways. It made them choose the way set before them by God.

Please, be wise and come and meet the God-Child at this Christmas. Look up and see his star, then don't hesitate but act. Come not for curiosity but to worship him. Come, not alone but in the fellowship of your family and friends. Come and perceive the real value, regardless of meager surroundings. Come and bring your gifts, whatever you have. Then return home, or wherever you are going, but not to your routine of sinful ways, but by a new route pointed out for you by God.

With these thoughts I wish you a very blessed an meaningful encounter with our newborn king at this Christmas of 1992.

Yours in His service,

Zoltán D. Szűcs, Your Bishop