Magyar Egyház, 2009 (88. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2009-07-01 / 3-4. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 3. oldal Christmas greeting to the congregations of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America December 5, 2009 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Pastors and Elders of our Congregations, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, As we can hear the Christmas message in every year, our mind were drawn to words of the angel to the shepherds out in the fields, “Do not be afraid! 1 am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was bom - Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:10-11) which is just what our world is most short of right now. All around us radio, press and television are all filled with bad news with reports of the credit crunch, pandemics, long standing companies on the verge of collapse, high unemployment, world-wide economic chaos, wars and threats of wars. Is there any good news around? Well, the good news of the Scripture is that God is not a far-off spectator to all this chaos but actively involved in His Son whom He sent into the world. Secondly, we also need to remember that we are not the only generation to see revolution or chaos; First Century Palestine was just as much a hot bed of political and social unrest as local agitators in the form of the zealots supplemented by political intrigue in court of King Herod and the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. So the message that came to those shepherds is a timeless message. A message of God’s grace to all of humankind and of God’s interest in the affairs of all people, and His very real action in bringing about reconciliation and a new beginning for all in His Son. But like those shepherds it requires a response from those who hear the glad tiding and what better then with the shepherds to humbly bow the knee in heartfelt worship. Please be part of the Christmas service and worship with your sisters and brothers, help your church to share the love and joy of Jesus in this Christmas season. Together with God as our Guide, we can help bring “good news of great joy” and hope to a world in desperate need. While news and tv screens fill our senses with tragedies brought about by violence, war and natural calamities in many parts of the world, we look forward to a time of peace, a time of love and reconciliation. The message of Christmas that brings light and hope to a weary and dark world, has up to this time, retained its meaning. We all need the message of love for peace and justice in our world. The birth of Jesus in a manger is an unforgettable image that the Lord has dwelt among us even in the most desperate situation. But Christmas is also a season of joy especially when we greet each other and continue to keep the bond between us in love and hope. On behalf of the elders of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, we wish you and all your loved ones a joyous and blessed Christmas and prosperous new year 2010. May the new year open us to be used as God’s instrument of love and peace, for the benefit of our congregations. Yours in His service, with brotherly love: Sándor Szabó, Bishop Anthony C. Beke, Chief Elder There was no room in the inn." The "inn" was not a five star hotel. It was not the place you would want to take your family on vacation. Even these caravan stopovers were overcrowded that day. It was merely an enclosure, a place for the traveler to drive his cattle for the night. Some of these “inns” had apartments for travelers, but there was no food and no host. They were little more than brothels. There was no room even in one of the places for the poorest, the place for animals. Travelers provided their own food. The innkeeper provided was hay for the animals and a fire to prepare the food on and provide warmth. The town was crowded because of the census, and there was no room for Joseph and Mary. Mary and Joseph camped in the courtyard. The innkeeper was not cruel or inhospitable; he simply didn’t have any room left. The poor couple had no relatives in the capital city. As far as we can determine, they were all alone and completely dependent upon God to provide for all their needs. At end of the day Mary and Joseph can say I saw God provide all we needed. "No room in the inn" became prophetic words of the truth that "He came unto His own and His own received Him not" (John 1:11). Is there room in my heart for Jesus? There are hearts that never welcome Jesus, not because of hatred toward Him, but simply because their hearts are already overcrowded with thoughts of riches, honor, prestige, pleasure, business affairs, etc. No room. No time to reflect on His will, no desire to go out of their way to do what will please Him. They want a folk religion that is convenient and full of superstition, but not too serious and please no commitment. Make it convenient and easy in my fast paced world, but please no more obligations in my hectic schedule. Maybe some other day, but not today. What is my attitude toward Jesus? How do I crowd Jesus out of life? Do I say by my life style "no room”? Come back another day? I really would like to have you some other day when it is more convenient? Do I say "no room" by my attitudes in life? Come back another day when you do not interfere with my goals, and plans I have for my life. I'm sorry but you really don’t fit into my plans for the future; when I get ready to die, maybe, but not now. I want what I know is best for me. Sorry, but "no room." Do I say "no room" by my behaviors? Do my actions say "no room," you would be embarrassed if you came with me today and followed me around the office, or the class room, or my business. Do I say “no room” in my thought life? Does my thinking reflect the mind of Christ? Sorry, but my mind is cluttered with a lot of conflicting philosophical ideas and new age concepts. There is no room for the ethical demands of clear thinking and submission to God. 1 have my own way of looking at life. I have my own philosophy of life. Sorry. The apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 3:16-18 that Christ wants to settle down and make Himself permanently at home in our hearts. He doesn’t want us to wait for some more convenient time, but right now, today right where we are.
