Magyar Egyház, 1982 (61. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1982-11-01 / 11-12. szám
MAGYAR MAG/AB £GXl7AZ CHURCH GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST... ______________ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace...” (Luke 2:14) ____________________ 7. oldal There is no greater contrast, than that between heaven and earth: the glory of God and the sins of man. Yet, where can we find a holiday which brings the far-away so close, the endless eternal glory of God down to earth, than the Christmas holiday season? Everywhere we see preparations for Christmas: the joy on the faces of young and old, regardless of national and denominational differences, this holiday is just as close to us as to those who live in the “orient or Occident.” Christmas has a message to us all. Glory to God / Can anyone imagine the height and depth of the glory of our Almighty God? The astronauts, who travelled with incomrihensible speed around the earth, those who stepped on the moon and looked down upon this universe, marvelled and cried out in amazement: “what a spectacular sight! What glorious view!" Unbelievable, beautiful. Yes, God is best glorified by all His creatures in the universe. The miriads of stars and the planets all bespeak of God’s mighty hand. If you add to these the glory you can observe all around the globe; think upon the heavenly hosts, who serve God in His heavenly kingdom, and all the angels, who obey His command day and night, they too, all add to the glory of our Heavenly Father. But more than all these, the birds and the beasts, the thousands of hills, and the countless trees of all the forests of the earth, God is glorified at the cradle of Bethlehem, where His holy son, our Savior was born, and became flesh of our flesh and bone or our bone. Just think, what glory surrounded the manger when Jesus was born? Wise men from the orient were mesmerized and poured out their adoration before Jesus, presenting their gold and myrrh. Can anything put on a better demonstration of the glory of God, than this little child? Our Lord Jesus Christ lived, and worked and died, in such an unusual manner as no one else. He spoke with authority, the people listened to him spellbound as he healed the sick, raised the dead and uttered his last words from the cross. YES, the glory of God was evident in the life and death of Jesus. Think of the teachings he left for us in his parables, think of the light he lit as the gospel of his heavenly message guided millions who walked in darkness, and you will agree, that the glory of God is beyond all human conception. The song of the angel says: Glory to God in the highest! Yes, the glory of God was manifest at the first Christmas and it is manifest for ever. Only we do not have eyes to see, and often our senses are dull to perceive. The greatest glory of God is radiating in the world in His holy Son, Jesus Christ. The question is: do you give to Almighty God the glory due unto his holy name? Do you render him praise and glory as the angels and heavenly host do in the kingdom of our Lord? Have you tried to glorify God by living according to his commandments? Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. Isn’t it true, that often we seek our own glory, our own goals, and forget to glorify God and His Son? Take these words of the Bible seriously and at this Christmas render to God your praise and glory, as the angels did on the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem. To give God the glory means to give Him your heart. Let Jesus Christ be the Lord of your life, and let him rule your heart and direct your actions. Let the words of the angel resound in your heart this Christmas: Let us all sing with the chorus: Glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth among all men of good will. Christmas is a joyous holiday filled with happiness: there is no room for sadness and sorrow, no place for doubts and fears, for the angel’s song fills the hearts of all: Glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth! May every member in all our churches give glory to our Heavenly Father and render Him praise. May peace fill the homes and congregations as we gather together to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Dezső Abraham
