Fraternity-Testvériség, 1967 (45. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1967-12-01 / 12. szám
Sn SIL Jßigli Of LJL ‘VJorJ Of Cfol Joseph Kecskemethy: Thoughts tor Christmas and for the New Year . . . On that first Chiistmas Eve almost two thousand years ago, the old hostelry was crowded. All day long men and women had been coming to Bethlehem to register for the census. It was like old home week! Friends and acquaintances who hadn’t seen each other for years were together again. Everyone was busy. So busy, in fact, that though they were in Bethlehem they had no eyes for the lights and no ears for the voices in the sky. Did they forget — or did they really ever know the words of their own prophet: “And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people.” It was a great day for the innkeeper too. Business had picked up considerably. Every room was filled ... or did he have one left for a distinguished guest who might arrive late and whom he would not want to turn away? A tired man and woman arrived and asked for quarters. One look at the woman and the innkeeper knew that her need was great. For a fleeting moment he thought of the guest room. But no . . . they were poor, they could not pay and he wanted the money. So he told them there was no room for them except in the stable. The man and woman accepted the accommodations . . . and the innkeper promptly forgot about them. Did he — I wonder — ever remember that night? In a world full of hatred, lack of trust and, as a result, laden with instability and unhappiness, it would be wise in all walks of life to look for the lights in the sky and listen for the angel voices! It would be beneficial if we would not let our hearts and souls be busy inns that have no room left for the Christ Child but open houses of prayer and praise ready to welcome Him as our Lord, the Prince of Peace and as the Saviour of our world. Then could we know the true joy of Christmas. •k "k ic ANOTHER NEW YEAR is coming. Another twelve months to live with some intelligent balance of work and play is approaching us. But with the coming New Year we must think about the Old Year just ending. We must reflect on our past joys and the abundance of good things made possible to us . . . Sound like flag waving again? Perhaps. Still there are those who look back on 1967 and think about riots in the city, draft evasions, and freedoms accepted without accompanying responsibilities. Yes, the “ideal” life is still far from our grasp. The “good” life, on the other hand, is here and now. But we have to work for it. Imagination, know-how and plain muscle are essential if we are to take advantage of that “good” life. But the past belongs in the past. What’s done is done. — In the new year of 1968 we look forward with optimistic vision to the future. The “ideal” life may be only a bold new search away from our grasp. And in our country, we can do anything! Who knows ... we must keep trying — but with faith, hope, love and with the help of God! 3 ‘WJU On. JVlgll 3n JL Shepherd ■ I walked one night in The Shepherd’s Field; The stars in their wonted courses wheeled And no new glory the skies revealed— There was no peace on earth. Rut as I climbed the Bethlehem hill I saw one bend o’er one who was ill And another bearing coals to fül A neighbor’s empty hearth, —And I knew that the Christ was there. / walked up the Mount a little space And peered through the shadows for His face But found Him not in the pictured place Beneath the olive trees; Then turning toward Kidron in the night / saw the men on their way to fight In Jordan’s hell for a thing called Right Nor hating their enemies, —And I knew that the Christ was there. Then I walked alone in GalUee IF here He fed the thousands by the sea And taught and wrought in His ministry Of human brotherhood. There did a Presence my way attend There did l hear the voice of a friend Say, “Lo I am with you to the end,” And my heart understood, —And l knew that the Christ was there. John Huston Finley FRATERNITY OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA Edited by the Officers of the Federation Published monthly, with the exception of I the summer months, when the June-Julv and
