Calvin Synod Herald, 2000 (101. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 “For you know the grace of Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, He became poor, that you through His poverty may become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB) As we stand at the threshold of a new millennium, we give thanks to Almighty God, our heavenly Father for the multitude of His blessings expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. In His birth, we focus on the singular purpose of His mission to fulfill the will of God for the salvation of mankind from the enslavement of sin and to consummate for all time and eternity the destruction of all evil. By being born in the likeness of man, He came to transform human life from its fallen sinful state into an upright and holy stature. To this end He chose to be born into poverty, as the scene of His birth in a stable and His subsequent life-style testifies, so that He could identify with every form of human need and suffering, thus becoming the servant and resource to all who believe upon Him. We remember that He came to serve and not to be served. In stark contrast to the self-willed, power-hungry, Goddenying, and materialistic folk of every age, Jesus literally lays aside His divine prerogatives. At the same time, however, He retains His divine nature of love, grace, mercy, truth and compassion for those who would follow Him. Particularly in the grace of giving, as “...God gave His only begotten Son...,” Jesus models the giving style of God. He came to restore God’s rich blessings for our lives on earth as well as for a continued relationship into eternity. Truly, we have received the greatest of all gifts in the person Jesus the Christ. It is the gift of His life for our redemption that Jesus bestows upon us both through His birth in the manger as well as on the cross of Calvary. He calls us to share the riches of His divine attributes of selfless love with our fellow man to the glory of His Name. For countless believers who place their entire faith, hope, and trust in God, the presence of Jesus allays their fears, dispels their doubts, succors their distress, gives purpose and meaning for living, and becomes the beacon of hope for unity in His church and peace in the world. As we gather for fellowship in our homes and churches during Christmas, let us celebrate the birth of our Savior God by immersing ourselves in acts of charity and generosity both for the members of our own households as well as for the welfare of those in need around us. May the words of Jesus come alive in us when we remember, that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) The Calvin Synod leadership wishes a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year to all. Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi, Bishop CHRISTMAS PRAYER Rev. Albert W. Kovács Lord God of the Church, by whose power the Son of God has come to us from on high, that His light might scatter the darkness of all human evil and we might dare to face even death; our hearts are lifted up in joyous praise of Jesus our Saviour, Prince of Peace and King of kings. Give power to Your Church, good Lord, so Your Majesty may be honored in all the earth. Purify it of all errors, heal its unhappy divisions, feed us with its sacraments, and cause the good news of Christ’s salvation to be proclaimed to us and to all the people of the world whom Jesus loves. As by His birth of the virgin Mary You have sanctified motherhood and the families of earth, we pray for Your blessings now and in the new year on each of our homes, and of our relatives and friends. As we have received their warm expressions of affection and their sincere good wishes, guide us that we may know how to respond lovingly to them, and to bless their lives also, that they might share in our happiness and Christmas joy. In the name of Him who came among us as an infant, touch our hearts with every dear child who comes from You as Your latest handiwork. Let them be as dear to us as they were to our Savior who gathered them to Himself. As they learn to keep the festival, may they find happiness in His love channeled through us, and grant that none of us may outgrow the blessings of childlike hearts. Especially do we pray for the homeless, the friendless and the forgotten; for those who are in prison or hostages, and those oppressed and exiled. Hear our prayer for those whose happy memories are not renewed in this season, lonely for loved ones who have preceded us in the kingdom. We ask for Your healing power where there is illness among us, and courage where there will be no recovery for those we cherish. Now, 0 God Most High of all the heavenly hosts, overshadow our hearts also in the Christmas celebration that with Mary and Joseph we may respond to our visions of the Christ with holiness, and serve You gladly and faithfully all our days as Your humble and obedient servants. Father, Your sons and daughters thank You for Your blessed Gift, Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer and eternal Lord. Amen. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4 After 2000 years, the beginning words from John’s gospel inform and encourage us today: “The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world.” But not the kind of light we can buy in the stores. When we buy new light bulbs, the carton might say its good for about 1750 hours, when we can expect to replace it. The scented Christmas candles too will burn down and need to be replaced. In time the light from these will go out and darkness prevail again. (Continued on page k)
