Magyar News, 1994. szeptember-1995. augusztus (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1994-12-01 / 4. szám

A CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE I would like to share a few memories about Christmas celebration in my child­hood in Europe. The country, where I was raised after World War II, was dominated by the atheist ideology, so the celebration of Christmas had a powerful impact and influence on the past war generation. The traditions of our parents kept alive by their childhood memories of Christ­mas, gift giving and receiving, singing, praying, reading the Bible, decorating the tree, and the food preparation. I remember the government wanted to change the origi­nal meaning of Christmas to a holiday celebration of the “Fir Tree” eliminating the birth of Christ. The church and families commemorated Christ’s birth with three days of celebra­tion, starting with Christmas Eve, Christ­mas Day, and second day of Christmas. On these days most of the homes and families felt free from the Communist influence and the center of our lives was the Child of Bethlehem, the Prince of Peace and the Savior of the World. With every new Christ­mas, it strengthened the hope that the dark­ness would end. Families felt connected with the first Christmas event. The comforting message of the angels, “Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah.” (Luke 2: 10-11) Looking back, I can say the faith was kept alive in families during those dark days of yesteryear. The oppressed and persecuted church still gave comfort and hope for the future which was foretold by the prophet many thousand years ago. Imagine from the power of the Bible read­ing Isaiah 9:6— But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness- on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Ever­lasting Father, Prince of Peace. His au­thority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righ­teousness from this time onward and for­evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. A sermon of our minister, who clearly explained why we are celebrating Christ­mas, that the kind of hope is given to us and the future of the world depends and be­longs to the Savior who was born on Christ­mas Day. I recall a certain teacher, who tried to conform to the changing world and ideol­ogy, told us in school that we need not celebrate Christmas because we live in a new society now. It disturbed me to think she was trying to mislead us. My parents told me that she was a church school teacher and used to prepare the most memorable Christmas programs. I reminded her of that time. She was surprised, became emotional and cried. It made me stop and think. Great damage occurs in the human life and spirit when people turn away from Christ—chang­ing their beliefs and convictions to accom­modate the atheist ruling. I still feel the same tranquility as I did in my youth. It never left me but became more powerful in my adult life. As a teenager in high school before graduation, I felt the inner call to Christian ministry. This deci­sion shocked my teachers and the leader­ship of the high school. They tried every method to change my decision. They even threatened me. I was happy to receive strength from God to remain faithful. It was a custom for centuries in the Hun­garian Reform Church in Europe to send students of theology to different congrega­tions at Christmas and Easter time to preach. Churches welcomed and supported the “Legátus.” I chose my hometown to preach the first Christmas sermon in the presence of my relatives and friends twenty-four years ago (1970). 1 will share part of that original sermon: "And from his fullness have we all re­ceived, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:16,17 Advent and Christmas are not emotional poetry, nor soothing dreams, but blessed realities. The manger of Bethlehem is not solely a memory which we remember every year, but even today it is a fountain of influential power. The only question is whether we recognize this power given to us in Jesus Christ and live by it. The Lord Jesus Christ was not just born in Bethlehem almost two thousand years ago, but He also wants to be born again in each of our hearts so that there may be light in our lives burdened by sin. He wants to renew our lives through His grace and presence and to bring a joyful Christmas to us. The many holiday gifts and presents do not compose a true Christmas, but the presence of Christ in human fellowship and hearts which is God's greatest gift to the world. The Christ­mas message will become reality in your life if it is eternally written into your heart by the Holy Spirit because "for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' Luke 2:11. Brothers and sisters in Christ, dear friends, I pray for the presence of Jesus Christ in your hearts, your families, and our Church. With wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. Rev. Bela Poznan, Pastor “WORLD EXPO HUNGARY” (Continued) What is a puli? It is a feisty medium size dog with black fur, floppy ears and a short tail. What you see mostly is a red tongue and shining brown eyes. The puli is known world wide as the uncrowned king of shep­herd dogs. No one knows when it joined our Magyar ancestors, but it is a true Hungarian and came to the Carpathian Basin with the Magyar tribes. When they settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896. But dreams end and on the recommenda­tion of the Socialist regime, the Hungarian Parliament has voted to pull down the cur­tain on Expo ’96. The government says they will try to conserve the considerable monies spent on alternate plans. I have a friend who works in the hotel industry there and he remarked, “Sure the government would go into debt. It will go into debt anyway. But the Expo would make jobs not programs. The funds will go into unem­ployment insurance and job training. And entitlements. The money will be gone any­way and Hungary’s day in the sun will be gone too.” An official of the Bechtel firm said he considered the withdrawal to be a bad mistake. Hungary ’s plans were coming close to making a success of the project. It was an honor to be awarded the right to hold the expo. Hungary’s reputation world wide would be enhanced. He said Bechtel was not consulted by the government before it reached its decision. So it looks like there will be no mascot logo. The chick was dropped and there will be NO PULI. No fun. ’Tis a pity. But there maybe high hopes that some of the work done will be continued and the city south of the Petőfi bridge will become not an indus­trial wasteland but a lovelier part of Budapest. For us it looks like that in our lifetime it’s not in the cards to see a world fairin Budapest. Butdon’tbedisheartened. Please do plan to go to exiting Budapest anyway. If you haven’t been there, you don’t know what you’re missing. Julius Varga Experienced in all phases of TAX and ACCOUNTING ALLAN CHOMORTANY, CPA FAIRFIELD LOCATION (203) 366-1800 or (203) 256-8394 Reasonable fees are negotiable page 3

Next

/
  • Layout
  • Zoom
  • Rotation
Thumbnails
Contents