Calvin Synod Herald, 1994 (94. évfolyam, 2-6. szám)

1994-11-01 / 6. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD- 4-REFOMATÜSOK LAPJA Out* Siskop's (Sk^istmas C*\re.e.V\ng Be Not Afraid! "The angel said to her ..."you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus" (Luke 1:30-31) Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased. Luke 2:10-11, 14 The shepherds were in the fields of Bethlehem and were frightened by the ap­pearance of the heavenly host; but an an­gel said to them: "Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) The heavenly message says to the fright­ened shepherds: Be not afraid! Be not afraid because you have a loving Father in heaven who cares for you and sends en­couragement to you: Be not afraid! Unfor­tunately, we live in a world where fear is well known. But the message is given: Be not afraid because you have a merciful Father, who watches over you and is with you on this earth, in this valley of tears. Here, many times, His children disregard his wishes; they harm, torture and even kill each other. But God tells us not to be afraid because we are His own and He will protect us. The angel said: "I bring you ;good news of a great joy." Joy to us? We may have already forgotten howto be happy! We live with stress, suffering, need and persecu­tion. Joy is an unknown word to us! We seek a ray of hope in our lives because we are sad, miserable, sinful and unhappy! But now, good news is sent to us! This good news is sent to us, to you and to me, and to all of God's children so that we may find that happiness we seek. In this happiness, God's children should recog­nize their heavenly Father, His many bless­ings poured upon us so that we may live in peace. The joy of Christmas should fill our hearts, minds and souls. The angels message is: "for to you a Savior is born." God Himself appeared in Him in human vesture. He became visible to us. He became our teacher, healer, coun­sellor and guide to eternity. God saved us, not with silver or gold but by the blood of His Son that all of us may belong to Him; that all of us would live in happiness and peace. The heavenly host praised God: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace..." We hear the message sent by God, so do not remain silent. Sing this doxology with the heavenly hosts; being thankful for the wonderful message and good news. In this message, the heavenly host are singing: "on earth peace..." God sent His Son, the great peacemaker, into this world, to make peace on earth, in human hearts and minds and among the nations, among all His children. Now is the time to receive this great peacemaker and you will feel that it is worthwhile to live, to work and even to struggle because there is hope. There is hope for us, for our church, for our nation and for all mankind. There is hope, there is a future and there is eternity... Join in song therefore with the heavenly host: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace..." and live in the splendor of the newborn King. A most blessed and happy Christmas to you all. Francis Vitéz Bishop Whose birthday is it, anyway? In 1988 a booklet was produced with the title: "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" Alter­natives, a not-for-profit organization pro­viding resources for responsible living and celebrating, was started in 1973 as a pro­test against the commercialization of Christ­mas. To order a copy, contact the UCC Hun­ger Action Office, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleve­land, OH 44115-1100; telephone: (216) 736- 3294. A single copy has been mailed to each UCC congregation. T

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