Magyar Egyház, 1984 (63. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1984-11-01 / 5. szám
2. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ CHRISTMAS MESSAGE IN 1984 On behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Church Uniting we send our warmest Christmas greetings to our consistory both in the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ and in the Hungarian Reformed Church in Aemrica as well as in other affiliated churches. When the glory of the Lord shines around us in the mystery of Christmas, we share with you the good news: the Lord Jesus Christ is among us! The sign is so meager, poor, and embarassing like the swaddling cloths of the manger, yet those who hear the angels singing can see it: the revitalization of the Hungarian Reformed Church Uniting is a sign that not only centrifugal forces are at work in the Hungarian Reformed diaspora, but centripetal forces as well. We experience in these days not only the evil powers that make us move away from the redemptive Center of our life — due to our sinful inertia —, but we experience the power of the Holy Spirit, too, who draws us to move toward Him and toward one another in reconciling love. For this miracle of grace we sing with the angels: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men whom He is pleased!” (Luk. 2:14) We are happy to report to you that we have already unified our summer youth camp, our efforts to preserve historic materials, and our mission work in the Hungarian Reformed diaspora. Of course, we jointly support national associations of prebyters and ministers as well as our charitable institution, the Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. We are determined to expand and deepen joint meetings for MAGYAR EGYHÁZ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1984 VOL. 63, NO. 5 Published bi-monthly. Editor-in-Chief: RT. REV. DEZSŐ ABRAHAM, Bishop Editors: THE REV. STEFAN TOROK and THE REV. GABOR NITSCH 331 Kirkland Place, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 175 Pershing Avenue, Carteret, NJ 07008 Business Manager: THE REV. GABOR NITSCH 175 Pershing Avenue, Carteret, NJ 07008 Office of Publication: I. H. Printing Co., 205 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Second Class Postage Paid at Lebanon, New Jersey Subscription: $6.00 yearly, Group: $4.00 Postmaster; Send Form 3579 to Business Manager Address Corrections: M-B Services, Inc. P. O. BOX 555 Lebanon, NJ 08833 church leaders and workers, auxiliary organizations, radio and press services, etc. We envision union churches, joint work for theological education, utilizing ecumenical opportunities, and those enhancing organic union. For all this we are grateful. But the more we understand the Christmas Gospel, the more we realize that our task is greater than that: the Good News of great joy in Jesus Christ is for all people! Not only the concept of the Hungarian Reformed Church Uniting must challenge the grass root of our own people (or else it will be another vain attempt of enthusiastic leaders), but the Gospel of Jesus Christ must also reach our brothers and sisters who now walk in the darkness of gloom and anguish in other parts of the world (Isa. 9:1-2). Our hearts go out especially for our brothers and sisters in Transylvania (Rumania) and Czechoslovakia and Carpatho-Russia (Soviet Union) whose burdens are increasing daily. We urge you to pray and work for them until not only the Christmas light shines on them, but the yoke of their burden and the rod of their oppressor are also broken as on the day of Midian (Isa. 9:2-4). Remember also the starving people of Ethiopia whose plight is expected to be the worst in this century. The prophetic promise which was fulfilled at the first Christmas, is that w hen we share our bread with the hungry, then our light breaks forth like the dawn and the glory of the Lord shall be our rear guard (Isa. 58:6-8). Special collections are appreciated ! In these foreboding days may God help of us to worship the new-born King with all that we are and all that we have -— as the wise persons always do! — and understand the authentic Christmas message that even through the autocratic decrees of Caesars God works out His redemptive purposes, and the unspeakable gift of God in Jesus Christ is sufficient reason to praise Him always and in everything (Eph. 5:20). Have a blessed Christmas! Yours in His service, Bishop Dezső Abraham and Bishop John Butosi
