Magyar Egyház, 2010 (89. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2010-10-01 / 4. szám
1 14. oldal The Meaning of the Advent Wreath A most Advent wreaths use three colors - purple, pink, and white. However, some may use blue in place of the purple. 1st Candle - (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE - We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13) 2nd Candle - (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION - God kept his promise of a Savior who would be bom in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.1 (Luke 3:4-6) 3rd Candle - (pink) The Shephard Candle or the Candle of Joy - The angels sang a message of JOY! “...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been bom to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15) 4th Candle - (purple) The AngleL Candle or the Candle of Love - The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) 5th Candle - (white) “Christ Candle” - The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Have an enjoyable Advent, let prepare of the Lord’s coming! TollasTibor: Fekete karácsony Karácsonyéjen, a börtönmélyben Utam újra hozzád vezet. Harminc évig te jöttél hozzám, S most Betlehembe én megyek. MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Három királyok kincse után Uram üres a két kezem. Három koldusnak szegénysége, Amivel hozzád érkezem. Aranyaimat szerteszórtam, Évek súlya a vállamon. S tömjén helyett e tömött zsákban Feketéllik a bánatom. Királyaid csillag vezette S nem állta útjuk senkisem. Engem hét falon át hozott hozzád Pirosló mécsem: a hitem. Pásztorok útját angyalok mondták S ki megtalál, az oly kevés. Engem négy éve űz utánad Bús angyalod: a szenvedés. Véresre jártam mára lábam. Fagy járta át a csontomat. Fáj az éhség és senkim sincsen Rajtad kívül, ki befogad. Sose vágytam így szeretetre, Sose voltam ily elhagyott. Zörgetek Uram, jajj eressz be, A régi énem már halott. Nem kérek fényes karácsonyfát, Egy gyertyaláng elég nekem, Ha kigyúl majd a te csillagod Börtön felett a Betlehem. Rev.v.Károly G. Oláh, pastor and his wife Agnes, Carteret.NJ
