Magyar News, 1992. szeptember-1993. augusztus (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-12-01 / 4. szám
Magyar News Monthly Publication in Cooperation of the local Hungarian Churches & Organization CHRISTMAS, THE HOLY SEASON What is the meaning of Christmas to you and me? It all came about with the angels appearing to the shepherds telling them of the birth of the Christ-child and the wondrous Star of Bethlehem guiding the three wise men to the stable where Jesus lay in the manger. In today’s modem world some have lost sight of the Saviour’s birth and directed thoughts to Santa Claus. It is getting to be a commercial holiday when early in November stores have Christmas sales and people use money accumulated through Christmas Club savings. Dealers sell Xmas trees. (X is considered an unknown.) Christ has been omitted from these signs. Some trees are set up weeks before Christmas. Christmas parties are held in factories, offices, clubs etc. where people gather in friendship and camaraderie; but I wonder, is the true spirit of Christmas present? Santa should be separate from Christ’s birthday as it is in Europe. Unless parents are religious, children are not taught the true meaning of Christmas. In foreign countries and ethnic societies St. Nick, Chris Kringle and Mikulás (Hungary) appear on Dec. 6. Shoes are shed and left on window sills with hope that Mikulás will leave some goodies in them. In preparing for Christmas women do a lot of baking, trees are gathered from local areas. Someone in the family will trim the tree while the children are at Christmas Eve services. Trees are trimmed with nuts, apples, and candy known as szalon cukor for the joy of the children. Sometimes the children snitch the candy and leave the empty wrapper on the tree. Christmas is celebrated 2 days during which people visit friends and relatives to promote the peace and love of the season. The spirit of this season is felt even during wartime whereby a truce is called so that this Holy Night may be calm and peaceful. People used to go caroling; my children also with their friends to entertain all their friends and families. My neighbors used to open their doors to this unusual happening. Being first generation, I learned Hungarian poems which I recited at Christmas Eve services which is still being done but fewer children are taught their ethnic background and language of their ancestors. I am proud that my second generation children can speak Hungarian. I backtrack with a few thoughts. It is an uplifting feeling when Main Streets of surrounding towns are strung with lights and music of the season is being played and the music of the Salvation Army bell ringers reminds us that the poor and needy will be helped. This to me is the spirit of Christmas. May this spirit enter all our hearts so the peace and joy remain with us through the entire year. ^ Ernest Árpád Csengery MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our readers KELLEMES KARÁCSONYT minden kedves olvasónknak
