Magyar Egyház, 1955 (34. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
1955-10-01 / 10. szám
16 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ ENGLISH SECTION Advent is the season when we wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time when the Christian Calendar starts. This is the opportunity when we remember that our Christian duty is to wait for Him. I Thessalonians I: 9. 10 says: “how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God: to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus.” We do not know the age, the day or the hour when the Lord shall come to judge the living and the dead. But we do see the signs that the Bible speaks of in Matthew 24: “many shall come in my name saying I am Christ”, “ye shall hear of wars and of rumors of wars”, “nation shall rise against nation and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes.” The Bible tells us that there shall many false prophets rise, people shall betray one another and shall hate one another, also that iniquities shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold. We constantly pray that Jesus’ coming may be nearer. The comforting hope is ours that He shall come. The last words in the Bible are: “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” But until He comes, until we hear His voice and see Him from face to face, until we shall be like Him and sing unto Him, we must prepare ourselves for His Coming, for Christmas, when we celebrate His birthday. Of course, you know, that we celebrate Jesus’ birthday at Christmas, But, strange as it is, we do not have to go behind the Iron Curtain, not even to the hated Communist or atheist world to find people who are unaware of the fact, that Jesus Christ was born 1955 years ago. Here in America almost every second person is without the saving knowledge of God. If you count the 97 million Christians, who are supposed to be members of Churches according to the latest statistics, how many of them are only nominal members. How many celebrate Christmas only because of tradition or other reasons. In celebrating the birthday of the Son of God, let us remember that Jesus is the true Christ. His name is “Wonderful, Councelor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6. Let us remember Him who came into the world by the miracle of virgin birth. He lived and taught as the Son of Man and the Son of God. He was crucified and died on Calvary’s Cross. He was buried and then on the third day rose from the dead. Ascending to heaven He is at the right hand of the Father Almighty. As the Prince of Peace and the Savior of the World. He is exalted above all but He shall return again to judge all people. Woe, unto them who rejected Him!, who will not come before Him with humble penitence, and who will refuse Him with the salvation He offers. This Jesus Christ is not only a babe in Bethlehem where many Christians like to picture Him. This Jesus is the glorious and omnipotent Saviour who lives and reigns for ever. This Christmas, let us celebrate His birthday! Let us make this holiday season a holy-day season. This Christmas will be a meaningful and joyous occasion by receiving this gift of God which is eternal life through His only Son our Savior. When Jesus lived, not all the people knew Him, not all of them loved Him or obeyed His commandments. No! The leaders, pharises, sadducees and scribs with the multitude rejected the king sent to them from above. They nailed Him on the cross. Ask the question today: what would people say or do if He would come NOW? What would the leaders of the nations do, if He would bring “peace on earth and GOOD WILL TO THEM”? Probably many would reject Him and crucify Him again. But He shall come once more to reign eternally in righteousness and then “peace shall flow like a river and righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Yes, Christ brought down from heaven eternal peace. National, political, economical and social unrest, war and world crisis may prevail all over the globe, but if you are a son of God, a follower of the Master, then His peace of soul shall reign within your heart. “Peace I leave with you!” John 14:27, peace, not according to this world, but according to God. This is a miracle. War and tribulation may sorround you everywhere in this world but the “peace of God which passeth all understanding” will be within your heart. Harken to the angel’s message as they were singing at Christmas eve: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born today a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” With Christmas Eve coming closer to us let us return to God the praises we heard from the angels: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men!” Atumit attti (Ehriatmaa
