Magyar Egyház, 1979 (58. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-09-01 / 9-12. szám
10 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ will enjoy the warmth of the joyfully chosen “angle of advantage” and soak up every ray of His love. May Your choice assure You not only of a warm fire in Your hearth, but also in Your heart, may You have the privilege of celebrating a Joyful, Merry Christmas, may You experience God’s presence, may You not only receive but also accept His offer and message of love! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ☆ ☆ CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 1979 Never in the short history of the U.S.A. have the people experienced such mixed emotions as in these days, when we are making preparations in this ADVENT season for the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ: CHRISTMAS. More and more fear and apprehension fills the hearts of many as the fate of our people remains uncertain since they were seized as hostages in the American embassy in Iran; a few days later a similar building in Pakistan was attacked and burned by a mob and two of our marines were killed. The crisis in one country is over, and similar and even more severe crises emerge elsewhere and gradually more and more people fear, that although we live in the twentieth century YET we face greater problems than the people who lived thousands of years ago. “Fear not!” said the angel of the Lord, when the first Christmas was heralded. Don’t you think that they had fears in those days too? The mighty Roman empire occupying the people in and around the Mediterranian sea bearing down on small nations and tribes, inflicting heavy burdens upon them: yes, they were troublesome times too. Do you have fears and perplexities in your heart? Oh, how many millions of people can cry out to God in this Advent season: yea, Lord, my heart is filled with anxities, I am vexed, for I do not know, what tomorrow may bring. Just think of the thousands of homeless refugees, the needy and the hungry millions of the world, who are filled with fears about their future. But the good news of Christmas to all fearful and anxious people is: -‘Fear not!” No matter, what great trials surround you, regardless how troublesome life Uiay appear to you, Almighty God is the Lord of the universe, He is our God and He knows our problems. He cares for you. He sends His message again and again: fear not! “For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy”. Oh, how many kinds of Christmas greetings, cards and letters will he received during this blessed season all over the world: one is wishing you happiness, the other joy, and fine get-togethers for the holidays and some will send beautiful poetic thoughts and who would be able to enumerate all the different kinds of good wishes, but God through His angels sends you a unique message: “BEHOLD 1 BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!” The kind of joy, that only He can give and this is nothing to trifle with. The great joy, that God can bestow upon you is beyond all human measure; the joy, that our Heavenly Father prepared at Christmas is a universal gift to all mankind. It is meant for you and for all the people who ever lived and who shall live till the end of time. JOY, that can fill your heart even though you have to endure many trials and tribulations. JOY, that he can pour into your soul as you face life and death situations. Joy, which the world cannot give, neither take away from you. The joy of Christmas is, that: “unto You is bom this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord!” Yes, Almighty God sent His holy Son down from heaven to save His people from sin and eternal damnation in hell. Savior was a well-known name in those days, when people were waiting for the Messiah, for the Savior of God, who shall save or redeem them. Yes, God decided to send His son, to be born of the virgin Mary, that He may be like the sons of men, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone to lead a perfect — sinless life, that He may offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Truly Jesus Christ became the Savior, for He purchased His people, not with silver and gold, but with His shed blood on Calvary. This Christmas joy was brought unto you by our Lord, and there will be no true spirit of Christmas unless you open your heart before this Savior, and let Him enter in. Cleanse your heart in this season, from all sin, chase away from your soul fear and let the joy of this holy day enter in and fill your whole body and soul. May I wish the leaders and members of our churches and friends all around the world a blessed Christmas season and a New Year filled with joy. Dezső Ábrahám, Bishop
