Magyar Egyház, 1974 (53. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-12-01 / 12. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR CHURCH CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Long before this churchpaper, the Magyar Egyház will reach our churchmembers from coast to coast in America, little hamlets, proud cities and large metropolitan areas all around us make extensive preparations for the greatest Christian holiday, the birthday celebration of the King of kings, our Lord, Jesus Christ, CHRISTMAS in 1974. In most communities St. Nicholas arrived amid pomp and splendor with a special train or reindeers, helicopters and in some places as in New York City, Detroit and elsewhere Thanksgiving Day parades ushered in the holiday season. People are all rushing around to buy gifts for their children, family and friends. Not even the greatest snow storm of the century, which hit the mid-western states on December 1st was able to deter the spirit of the annual festival. Just one year ago the great energy crisis hit the whole nation and everyone was asked to dim the glittering lights of Christmas in homes and city streets all over the country. Now the lights may shine again and their glitter will fill the eyes of little children with awe but thousands and thousands of people in the land are out of work. First those who were employed hy the automobile industry will feel the economic pinch, when their children will not receive such lavish gifts as in former years and families will “dim” their lights to prepare for the years of recession or depression. Yet, as we look back to the second world war and observe the chaos that ruled many nations in Europe and elsewhere in the world, we ought to give thanks to God, that our country was able to escape the usual post-war crisis. Moreover, it is high time for the citizens of the greatest country in the world, the U. S. A. to notice even “worse conditions” in other parts of the world. Yes, Christmas will not be so bright for thousands of people who still live in concentration camps, many of our brethren who escape daily from behind the Iron Curtain are still in refugee camps in Europe. Just remember the millions who live in warlorn lands, where the bitter animosity and fighting between brothers still has not ceased. Yes, the question of mere survival and the threat of further destruction looms ever before their very eyes. When the leaders of the whole world gathered together in Rome recently to discuss the issue of the “survival of the human race”, in the face of threatened starvation and death of 460 million people what did they accomplish? Not much. Except, that responsible Christians will dim the lights of their Christmas decorations and try to help those who are in need, and share what Almighty God so abundantly bestowed upon them. As we gather together for Christmas this year, let us remember the many blessings we have received from the hand of our God, and give generously for the aid of those in need, that the light of Christmas may not lie so dim in other parts of the world. Remeber, God Almighty gave His only son, that through Him we may have eternal life: for “He was reach, yet for our sake He became poor, so that through His poverty, we may become rich.” May God grant you the right spirit at this Christmas, to give of substance to those who so deservingly await the help of all our churches. In this spirit of Christinas I wish you a blessed holiday season, may Almighty God richly bless our churches, our members, and friends far and near, for ever. Dezső Ábrahám bishop MAGYAR EGYHÁZ wishes all its readers a blessed Christmas Season and a happy, successful and peaceful New Year.
