Calvin Synod Herald, 2003 (104. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
2003-11-01 / 11-12. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD (continued from page 7) Christ’s teaching: LOVE! And so Christ indeed “sinks” from our faith, overwhelmed by our tremendous “knowledge.” Paul wrote: “Knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.” LOVE needs to be the guide, not our own tremendous wisdom. “ All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” Just because in our higher position “we feel we can” be judgmental, hateful, rude, and demanding of our own way - remember what 1 Corinthians 13 said about that - it is NOT acceptable! - especially if it “does not build up” our fellowship, our living Body of Christ. Often such actions are downright destructive to Christ’s Body. The medical profession has, as part of the Physician’s oath: “Never do harm.” We, as Christians, act as physicians to everyone we associate with. As Christian leaders, we are Christ’s Priests - you know, the “priesthood of all believers” - to all with whom we associate. It is through our actions, our words, that many are introduces to the mystery of Christ in their lives. It can also be our actions, our words, as Christian leaders, as Christ’s Priests, which alienate people from the Church. James 3, verse 1 and 5 reminds us of the power of the spoken word, and cautions us to watch what we DO or SAY since “we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Christ’s Love in our words, in our actions, in our interpretations, must be the Guiding Force in all we say and do. Then Paul’s words will apply to us when he says, “If one loves God, one is known by Him.” Sermon given at the Calvin Synod’s 65th Conference - May 2003, by Rt. Rev. Kolomon Ludwig, Auxiliary Bishop Pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, 1927 Indianapolis Boulevard, Whiting, Indiana5639L Phone: 219-398-3063 THE CHRISTMAS DELIVERY TRUCK By Edwin P. Elliott, Sr. “Everywhere, everywhere Christmas tonight” chanted itself over and over in the young department store clerk’s mind as he checked the items for Christmas Eve delivery. “Silent Night” mingled with “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Rudolph” over the loud speaker from the furniture department. In the adjoining Toyland children’s eyes were big with wonder, excitement, and anticipation as their parents accompanied them through the rows and rows of toys and gave them one last trip on the Magic Special to the North Pole. Since Thanksgiving he had been assigned to the Gifts for the Home Department where busy men could dash in to see the latest in pop-up toasters, roasters, washers, dryers, sewing machines or what-have-you - all things to “make every day Christmas in your home.” Now tonight he had been asked to assist in the delivery of the gifts because he had no home, only a room at the “Y” and the manager, sensing his loneliness this first Christmas in the city, felt he would not mind the added hours of work on Christmas Eve. “Wait a minute there, Johnnie,” called a harried voice from behind a large box. “This TV set has to get out tonight. It goes to a place over on West Stone Street. Can you get it on the load somewhere?” “What, another new stove so Mama can stay home and cook for a change?” asked Al, the driver, as he and Johnnie began to shift the load so that the box could be added. “No, a TV set. Why don’t people buy TV sets some other time! This thing is heavy!” groaned the man with the box. “And here are the rabbit ears. Don’t drop them off at the wrong place. This thing has to work when you deliver it.” “Well, Johnnie,” said Al as the door closed and the TV set was safely settled, “I don’t think we could add even a necktie to what we have in here now. Let’s get rolling. I want to deliver this stuff tonight.” “Wait!” Grace Davies from third floor Ladies Wear called rushing around the corner waving a small package. “The last load of gifts from our department left ten minutes ago and someone forgot this item for Miss Dickinson. Would you be angel and deliver it along with the other things... please?” “What is it?” Al wanted to know. “Two pairs of nylons! Her cousin always sends her new nylons every Christmas on the last delivery from the store. We hear about it all year.” “Nylons for Christmas... All I want for Christmas is my new nylons,” sang Al as the truck started on its way to deliver its assortment of Christmas gifts. “Aren’t we Santa’s little helpers everything from a TV set to nylons!” “West Stone, here we come with your TV set!” Al announced as the truck began to climb the steep hill on the west side of the city. “I hope we make it. Even Rudolph, the Red Nosed, might have trouble climbing this on such a nights.” Johnnie was silent - thinking about the people who had bought the gifts they were delivering. The big truck ground to a stop in front of a quaint old red brick house and the two men lifted the TV set out. “Merry Christmas,” they shouted together as they rang the door bell. A patter of slippered feet was heard and shrill cry, “Mama, I think Santa and a friend of his must be here!” and a small blond boy threw open the front door. “Put the set tight here,” the child’s mother said, pointing to a table in the comer of the room. “ I am so glad you could make the delivery tonight. The children have been saving their money all year for a TV set and this time their father and I were able to help enough so they can have the set in time for the programs tomorrow.” “Our own TV our very own TV” shouted the excited little boy to his sister who had joined him. “Let’s see what’s on!” “Here, we need to adjust this,” Johnnie said as he opened the package containing the ‘rabbit ears’ while the little boy plugged the set into the wall socket. As the two men started down the steps they heard the familiar voice of a beloved TV entertainer saying: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night.” Places like this make you think it’s OK to be Santa’s helper,” said Al as they began the trip down hill. “Where to next?” “Orchards Street, number 1501 in the rear,” answered
