Magyar Egyház, 1998 (77. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998 / 4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 3. oldal PEACE ON EARTH - AND IN YOUR HOME Many of us look forward to the holiday season as “the most wonderful time of the year.” We try so hard to make it special for our families. In preparation for family and friends gathering in our homes, we clean, decorate, and bake. We spend hours shopping in an attempt to find the perfect gifts; some of us even go a step beyond and spend days and weeks handcrafting the gifts we give. We spend hours wrapping and decorating our carefully selected treasures. We write notes and letters to enclose in the Christmas cards that we have so craftily chosen. As the holidays draw near, our social calendars fill with activities and obligations such as family gatherings, school, church, work and community functions. Is the holiday season really a joyful time for you? Does it become more a time of food, fatigue, frustration, and financial stress? For many, the holidays are filled with hassles, dissatisfaction and even loneliness. The activities of holiday preparations and attempts to meet expectations often turn happy celebrations into hectic holidays. Perhaps it is a time to examine some of your expectations of the holiday season and to reevaluate the true meaning of Christmas. We often have fantasies and expectations about how things “should” be. These expectations are partially based on what we see presented to us on television and in magazines. Memories of our childhood experiences, as well as how we had hoped Christmas could have been, add to our own hopes for our present-day holidays. The truth is that the holidays are not some picture postcard, but situations in which real families and real people confront a variety of feelings and issues. Some unhappy memories, disappointments and regrets may surface during this time of the year. Sometimes we are unaware of what “triggers” the sad, lonely or uncomfortable feeling within us. Sometimes a fragrance, sound or song brings with it a memory, which causes us to have mixed feelings during this time when we expect to be so joyful. You can have control over the way you handle stress created in part by our society and in part by your own memories and expectations. First of all, evaluate what is really important to you. Be as realistic as possible about what you want to accomplish. Prioritize the events of the season, and give yourself permission to omit low-priority items and events. Hold a family meeting to discuss what is really important to each family member, and decide together the best way to accomplish the tasks and events of the season. Ask and allow people to help you whenever possible. Since holidays can be emotionally, physically and psychologically draining, get enough rest. Eat sensibly; if you consume alcohol, do it very moderately. Respect your budget. It is easy to get caught up in the emotion of the season and spend far more than intended. Don’t buy on impulse; plan ahead, and then spend thoughtfully and wisely. For those who have experienced the death of a loved one, a divorce, or other major loss, the holiday season can be especially stressful. Holidays often magnify feelings of loss. It is natural to feel sadness. Share your concerns, apprehensions and other feelings with a friend. The need for support is often greater during holidays. If you have had a recent major loss, avoid trying to make the holidays the same as they had been in past years, it won’t work. However, it might be unwise to change everything; create some new traditions. Perhaps the major stress reliever for the holiday season is to focus on the real meaning of Christmas: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16. As we think about the Baby Jesus in the manger, it is important also to think of Jesus on the cross. We need to remember why he was born — so that we can have eternal life. We don’t have to put aside all tradition and holiday celebration in order to have a focus on Jesus. However, when we reflect upon God’s great gift to us, we can more easily put holiday activities into perspective. Christmas is the time when we commemorate God’s greatest gift to mankind, His Son, Jesus Christ. When you think about gifts to give this Christmas, consider giving God the gift of yourself, “...present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12: 1. As we all contemplate the love that prompted such giving, may our response be one of yielding our lives to Him for His glory. May you experience God’s peace, love, and joy this holiday season. Rev. Dr. Thomas Burbridge, Senior Pastor American Hungarian Reformed Church Allen Park, Michigan Ha Krisztus ezerszer is megszületik Betlehemben, de benned nem, te attól még örökre elveszett maradsz. Angelius Silesius
