Magyar Egyház, 1958 (37. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1958-12-01 / 12. szám

8

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

XMAS

“Xmas” is being used as an abbreviation for Christmas. Originally, it meant more than that. The Greek letter “X” reads “Kh” if we transcribe it into English; it is the first letter of the Greek form of our Savior’s name: “Khristos”. From the reverent keeping of a traditional form, however, a busy world made an abbreviation.

When we see “Xmas” let us remember where the “X” has come from. Or, even better, let us use the full word: “Christmas”. Let us put Christ back into Christmas.------------o-----------FROM THE BISHOP’S MAIL

The Assistant General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Wilbur C. Parry in a recent letter to Bishop Béky has expressed his appreciation of the missionary program started by our denomination. We quote from this letter: “I was particularly impressed with your letter to the churches in which you call attention to the need for a greater missionary program and your article dealing with your reception as a member of the World Council of Churches. This certainly looks as though things are moving forward for the Hungarian Reformed Church and we are very happy for it.”

The President of the National Council of Churches, Dr. E. T. Dahlberg has expressed his best wishes to Bishop Béky as head of our denomination, and commented on his fine leadership. Dr. W. T. Lloyd, the American Secretary of the Presbyterian World Alliance praised the service of our denomination and expressed his gratitude for the fine co-operation he has received from Bishop Béky during the past years.------------o-----------MORE THAN HUNDRED LADIES ATTENDED THE ROEBLING CHRISTMAS PARTY

In the last few years the young women guilds and clubs of our Eastern Classis meet each other in fellowship. On December 2nd, the Roebling Guild has been host to more than 130 young women of our Perth Amboy, Carteret, Staten Island and Trenton Churches.

It was placed to be a Christmas Party, but it turned out to be a fine spiritual fellowship and Christian conference of our women. There were three speakers: The Reverend Fuad Bahnan for Jordan has told the ladies about the celebration of Christmas in the Holy Land, stressing our responsibilities as Christians for our fellow men in need. Miss Alexandria Koziak showed pictures of the Holy Land and Mr. Albert St. Miklóssy of Perth Amboy addressed the meeting on the Missionary Program of our denomination.

The Right Reverend Bishop Béky welcomed the ladies in behalf of our church.

During private talks with different club leaders, the idea to give some organizational form to these traditional social meetings was discussed. We think the time to be ripe for such a step. We have fine leadership in the individual clubs and it would just strengthen the life of our whole denomination if such an organization would be formed.

ill THERE ARE 40 MILLION REFUGEES ON

!i this earth—have you done something for them this Christmas?m

1 ' THERE ARE MORE THAN A BILLION ! PEOPLE UNDER THE RULE OF COM;i MUNISM — HAVE YOU PRAYED FOR ¥ THEM THIS CHRISTMAS?Ij \<■ l1 I

THERE ARE COUNTLESS PEOPLE IN ¥ NEED OF THE WARM TOUCH OF ¥ CHRISTMAS — HAVE YOU HELPED AT !' LEAST ONE TO FEEL IT?----------o---------THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS

And Christmas has come once more. Christmas... with its joys and many wishes of cheer. Christmas . . . with its holly and mistletoe and tree. I stand here looking at the tree. It’s so beautiful. Such an outward beauty. But does it say something too? Let me look and see what those lights say. Why they’re just like people! A lovely outward appearance but representing so many different phases of life on the inside. This red one stands out. This I think must represent joy. It outshines all the others. It covers the sorrow and sadness, the trouble and strife which the blue represents. It covers the jealousy and hatred which the yellow suggests. It outshines all these but they are still there. Their light rays finding their way through that red veil.

But as my eyes scan the tree they come to the top and l see a star. Oh, now l see it all so clearly. The red, like humans only hides the sad and the evil things by an outward appearance but this, this star shows the way. By its clear, thin veil of pure light, not like the heavy penetrating red color but by its soft warm, almost godly elegance. Fes godly, because it shows love and God is love. Love shows how to achieve peace on earth, good will to men. It’s a promise! Why it’s hope! What a shiny star!

Fruzsina Harsanyi ----------o----------GIFT OF HUNGARIAN BIBLES TO YUGOSLAVIA

A letter addressed to all ministers of the Reformed Church in Yugoslavia by Bishop Alexander Ágoston has reported a gift of 1500 Bibles from the Hungarian Reformed Church. The gift was made possible by a donation of large amount of paper from the British and Foreign Bible Society to the Hungarian Bible Society.

The purpose of the gift of paper to the Hungarian group was increased circulation of the Hungarian Bibles in other parts of Eastern Europe where Hungarian is understood.

The bishop on behalf of the Synodical Council expressed appreciation to the two Bible groups and urged every parish to buy the Bibles to present to young couples following wedding ceremonies. Income from sale of the Bibles will be used to publish a new edition of the Reformed hymnbook.