Calvin Synod Herald, 2001 (102. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2001-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 Jlzttzn, 2001 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:1-5 NASB) The beloved disciple strives to make intelligible the divine nature and character of Jesus the Christ. He speaks of His eternal existence, His work in creation, and the effect of His being upon those who believe upon Him. Jesus encapsulates the full gamut and range of God’s perfect love, mercy, and grace. In short, he is the manifestation of God in the flesh (see Colossians l:15ff). It is not insignificant for us to hold fast to faith in God through Jesus the Christ, particularly in this day and age when every religion claims equality and legitimacy. We might as well be living in the Roman Empire, in a pluralistic society that regarded every form of religious expression as being valid and beneficial to the state regardless of their amoral teachings and practices. Even today, the proponents of such pluralistic mindset can be found in our nation as well especially among atheists, libertine academicians, hedonists, and opportunists seeking social favor and political expediency. In contrast Christianity claims exclusivity based on the fact that the founder of our faith is God personified in Jesus the Christ, the only means of salvation to those who believe, who was resurrected from the dead, who is alive and life giving even to eternity. (John 14). This is not an easy position to maintain in an age of mindless and gutless tolerance of social evils. That the “darkness did not comprehend it” (the light) is telling upon every generation about the type of reception, nay, rejection that Christian believer faces in the worlds. For Jesus came not only to shed light upon the sinful, fallen state of mankind but to redeem and reconcile us to God. His birth in a stable speaks inexhaustible volumes of God’s great love for the crown of His creation, mankind. All at once we are mindful of God’s condescending mercy and grace as He places His Son into abject poverty to learn humility and obedience through His sufferings. As a result we do have a great high priest familiar with our troubles, who can identify with our misery and pains, who has been “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). He’s “been there and done that.” The plan of salvation from sin and degradation necessitated God’s direct intervention by injecting Himself into human history. Amid all the twinkle and glitter of Christmas let us not lose sight of the true light that is revealed in the birth of our Saviour Jesus the Christ in whom God’s prophesies are fulfilled, who is the way, the truth, and the life for us to follow both now and into eternity. The Calvin Synod Conference Council wishes a blessed and joyous Christmas to everyone! Bishop Louis Medgyesi For Christmas is What makes a Christmas? Is it place or time? A Christmas card, a holly wreath, a rhyme? Is it a gift tied up with ribbons gay; Does it mean Christmas when you “Meny Christmas” say? The bells may softly chime “O Holy Night!” The Christmas tree may glow with candlelight; The table may be spread with festive cheer, And yet no Christmas spirit hover near. No, Christmas is from all these things apart, It needs but a warm and open heart; And sorrow, pain and fear are swept away When Christmas comes into the heart to stay. For Christmas is but faith, and trust, and love, A lifting of the eyes to Him above... The Christ who came to earth to set men free, God’s gift of love supreme to you and me. And as the angel choir their anthems sing, The story of God’s love to man they bring’ The promise of abiding peace impart... ‘Tis Christmas when Christ dwells within the heart. jessie Williams IN EXCELSIS GLORIA when Christ was born of Mary free, In Bethlehem, in that citie/ Angels sang there will) mirth and glee, In Bxcelsis Gloria! Herdsmen beheld these angels bright, To them appearing with great light, who said, "God's Son is born this night/' In Bxcelsis Gloria! This King is come to save mankind, As in Scripture truths we find, Therefoe this song we have in minő, In Exceísis Gloria! Then, dear Lord, for Thy great grace, Grant us the bliss to see Tby face, That we may sing to Tby solace. In Exceísis Gloria! This carol is from the Harleian Manuscripts in the British Museum. The date is supposed to be about the year 1500.
