Magyar News, 1995. szeptember-1996. augusztus (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1995-12-01 / 4. szám
IjOLY LfiRD -(continued from page 1) In our annual procession toward Christmas, there is preparation. Szent Miklós sets the stage of the reenactment of the moment in the history of our Salvation, God became Man. The saintly Bishop of Myra, tells us to have concern for eachother, and at times "whipping" our consciences, which may have strayed, to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. When a pilgrim travels hundreds of miles and spends saved funds for the journey, Bethlehem seems almost to simple - a small chamber of a cave, the floor marked with a star reverenced by candles. Just too simple for some. Just as Jesus was "too much for them" at his time. We have heard the message and can repeat it - "but still have ears that hear not and eyes that can see but see not." So simple - so difficult. The Hungarian style Christmas tree tells the stoiy concerning the Babe bom in Bethlehem; Hungarian children were awakened on Christmas Eve to see the candlelit tree that was brought "by the angels." As the tree seemed to stretch out its bowed-branch arms to invite the creatures of the forest to take refuge, it reminds us of God's outstretched arms to have each of us take refuge in His Divine Love. The trees' evergreen nature hints to the everlasting eternal nature of the Savior. The szaloncukor wrapped in glittering foil reflects the brightness of creation given to a beautiful world - yet its treasure is under the foil, just as the love of God is recessed in our hearts; Jesus comes to capture the glitter of the world with love not to condemn it - to sanctify it and reveal God's love for us into eternal life. The famed crescent cookies filled with lekvár and curved to portray the hoof prints of Szent Miklós' horse in the snow - remember, the Bishop's message was "prepare the heart for the coming of the Lord." The star that crowns the tree allows its brightness to cascade on the créche below, which scene is highlighted by the decorations on the tree. The self explained creche has only a footnote to be added; If you should go to the Holy Land, you will notice that many of the holy sites are cared for by the Franciscan Order, a tradition that dates back to the 12th century, the time of St. Francis of Assisi. These same friars serve the people of St. Emery Parish. St. Francis is credited for having made popular the presentation of the creche in our homes, churches and civic lawns. Hungarians are represented in the Holy Land through works of art. At Nazareth, the site that the Virgin Mary is told by an angel that she is to be the Mother of God. The large Basilica's sanctuary depicts Mary under her title "Our Lady of Hungary." Again on Mt. Zion, near the Canticle, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, in the beautiful church of the Dormition of Mary, its crypt has a mosaic manifesting Mary holding her Divine Son, surrounded by Saints Stephen and Emery, Margaret and Elizabeth, also László of Hungary. On her head, she wears the Holy Crown of St. Stephen. During this Holy Season, I pray that your Christmas tree reflect the gift of the Holy Land - the Savior bom onto us; May the tree evergreen with bright star, glistening walnuts, sweet szaloncukor and crescent cookies - proclaim that Jesus came for you and me, and in turn, we love eachother as he has loved us. Kellemes Karácsonyt! Fr. Robert Nemeth, OMF Pastor of St. Emery Church page 3 The chapel marking the place where Jesus was crucified Father Nemeth (right) in the Franciscan chapel in the Holy Land
