Calvin Synod Herald, 1993 (93. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)

1993-11-01 / 6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 4 -Cur 33*31)0^ § GTji'iötmns? Greeting

In Christmas, God gave His only begotten Son as a ransom for mankind because He loved the world and in it He loved those created in His own image. Mankind, however, raised their hands against their creator, but the Lord was merciful towards His sinful children and sent His Son to be their Savior. How great is this fatherly love in which He bent down to His lost and erring children!

The Savior came into this world and He came in a miraculous way - He came in human vesture so that all could know Him and so that He could relate to us in His human form. The Savior came as a child as the heavenly hosts proclaimed. The Lord's love became visible in His Son. Those who were in need of salvation could see, hear and follow Him. They could also reject, capture, crucify and even bury Him.

Those who heard His call, who opened their hearts to Him could spend their remaining life in Him, through Him and could remain with Him to eternity. All they had to do was hold unto His wounded hand and to receive from Him with confession the new life offered to them.

Dear Brethren, the Lord did not only give this promise to those who surrounded Him at His arrival, but new life is promised by His grace and mercy to everyone of every age. There is only one Savior who can save you, and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one way which leads us to salvation and that is the way which was promised to us by this same Jesus Christ, and even today he summons you: Follow Me!

You may have been lost on the way, you may have been in many dead ends, and you may have fallen into deep pits because you did not listen to Him, but now is the time to come to Him.

Now, at this Christmas time, He is coming to you again. He is speaking to you, He is calling you and the blessed possibility is given again that your earthly life may be a blessed one and you would have the opportunity to reach eternity.

Come now, come to Bethlehem, come to His cradle, come to Jesus the Savior Himself so that your life and Christmas would be blessed and you may glance into eternity.

Come then to Him now, you members of our Calvin Synod, our Reformed Church, our Hungarian people here and in the homeland. Let us to meet the King of Kings, the Savior of the world, that we might have a new life and a place in His heavenly Kingdom.

Dr. Francis Vitéz, Bishop of Calvin Synod

■By

Christma^^^ Tale J

by Menyhárt Kiss

__________REFOMÁTÜSOK LflPIfl

The Lord to a fair-faced, little angel hath said: "Child, when it will be dust down there tonight again, on the brightest moon-beam to earth you will descend. A survey you will make and return to heaven.

Can men surcease awhile, in sin and war so worn, this holiest of nights, on which my Son was bom?"

Timid, little angel suddenly rushed under. Saw some fires blazing on the snowfield yonder, thought: where fire there are men, to land here is the place; setting foot found himself with bayonettes to face.

"Stop! Password? Who are you? " Thus roared the men of arms.

Scared was the blond angel, who never knew what harms.

Softly spoke the angel: "Glory to God in heav’n, and peace on earth below, and good-will to all men!"

"No such! You are a spy! Here you cannot advance!"

Threatened him the soldiers: 'You cannot move from hence’."

In iron-chains they bound the Herald of the Lord; but the angel escaped, the chains just would not hold.

Ascending to heaven a bullet pierced his wing. Blood dropped on snow; red as a ruby in the ring. The angel back in heav’n, prostrate before the Lord, in sad words of lament his story he has told: "On earth it’s hell that rules, Mighty Lord, O my King! They fettered me in chains! Wounded my gentle wing! Machine-guns repeating, huge field-guns do roar, no place for angel’s song, that Bethlehem stood for.

The face of the Lord frowned hearing of human crime, He looks down on earth, with sorrow so divine. Still His eyes are filled with mercy, forgiveness, trust: Life does spring forth in buds on branches bit by frost. Men! You were meant to be Creation’s crown on earth! Long has He overlooked your sins derived from birth. Now He says: 'You atonedfor all the sins of men, come now Peace and Good-will; and stay on earth! Amen!

Translated by Editor

Dr. Francis Vitéz