Tárogató, 1947-1948 (10. évfolyam, 3-10. szám)
1947-12-01 / 6. szám
TÁROGATÓ 13 OUR ENGLISH SECTION. THEY FOUND THE BABE When the shepherds heard the heavenly music long ago as they watched their sheep upon Bethlehem’s lonely hillside, they were not satisfied until they had gone to Bethlehem to find the child—and they found him. He was just like another babe, and there was a lot about him which the shepherds did not understand, but at least they found the babe. Today, as we bend reverently at the mention of the name Jesus, we realize that there are many things about him which we do not understand, but to us he becomes a reality which we can never forget. It is a great day to any man when he finds the babe, and learns that for him there is a Christ who is worthy of reverence and obedience, and he learns, too, that that Christ represents the outpouring of divine love to men in a way not found elsewhere. To him, Christ becomes the One who is altogether lovely, and he says with Peter, “My Lord and My God.” THE THREE WISE MEN By Grover Livingstone On Christmas Eve, they met. In the company were three. One was young and like many we have known in our own day. His name was—Modern. And one was old, like one who had seen much happen in this world, and his name was Time. And one had a glory in his face, as of one who had seen much happen in another world. And his name was Faith. “You saw it, sir,” said Modern. “You were there on that first Christmas?” “I was, my son,” said Time. “And was it like our Christmas?” Modern asked, “with mails and feasting and good cheer?” “Not so”, said Time, “but poverty that kept the poor from shelter, and Herod, armed intruders, children’s cries and woman’s grief—were there.” “Much like our day if not our Christmas,” Modern mused. “And you, good sir, were you there, too?” “I was,” said Faith. “And what did you see, sir?” Modern asked. “There were stars,” said Faith, “and good men’s hopes, and angels’ songs about good will and peace that yet could be. These, too, were there, the tears and singing both, for both belong to living in this world. And One Great Gift: something came into the world that was not here before—because God cared. That made it Christmas.” “Yet in our festive keeping of the day,” said Modern, “we have forgotten that sorrow was ever any part of Christmas, and those to whom some painful change has come are often sure that it does not belong.” “Until they find,” said Faith, “that He who came at Christmas knew both gladness and a cross. And to this world Christmas repeats its coming, as if to make men know how much God cares. It does not come to find peace and brotherhood but to make us find—how possible they are.” RECIPE FOR A HAPPIER CHRISTMAS To your well-prepared plans for Christmas festivities, add a pinch of clear recollection of what Christmas really celebrates. Stir in a liberal supply of memories of how we have been, and still are, blessed by the birth of Jesus. Let the resulting thoughts simmer until they crystallize in the conviction that what blessings we have received we ought to pass on. Then while the conviction is still warm, pour out into a well-defined plan of action. Test for consistency by using the special Christmas Missionary and Maintenance Fund envelope. If this recipe, as we believe it will, produces a happier Christmas, then you may repeat it weekly for a happier New Year. A PRAYER • Help us to thank Thee, not alone in happy songs of praise, But by our gentle, kindly deeds And thoughtful ways.
