Fraternity-Testvériség, 1969 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-12-01 / 12. szám
1 WHY IS THIS CHILD DIFFERENT? Almost two thousand years ago a Roman soldier, who was stationed in Judea and was acquainted with the Jewish law and teachings, wrote a letter to his parents. According to the custom of the day, the soldier went to the marketplace where he hired a scribe in order to write what he had seen and heard during the last days of the year in and about Bethlehem. “Revered Parents—Many good and evil men live in this small town of Bethlehem from where 1 am writing. But everyone should be interested in what happened here not long ago. Recently, three wise men arrived from the East. I met them and they asked me where is the king who was horn. They said a star had guided them thus far. I knew of no such birth. Yet, I went with the wisemen as they continued to follow the star, which led them to an inn where a newborn child lay in the manger. “When they saw the newborn, they fell down and worshipped him. They had even brought gifts for the babe. What bothered me a great deal was why is devotion shown to a small babe. Why is this child different? He is not different from others. The wisemen said that the birth of this child is the beginning of a new age. “Shepherds also came to look at the small one. They had heard the good news that a king was horn. They told me how angels appeared during the quiet night to tell them the good news. These men also call the small child king or Christ and Savior. Vt hv is this child so different or chosen, 1 asked myself? In body he is like any other child. Yet, the shepherds and the wisemen recognized something special in him. “I went to the child in the manger and asked his mother what his name will be. ‘Jesus,’ she answered. My dear parents, in the native language here that means ‘savior.’ But this is a common enough name that is often given and neither does this make the child different from others. It bothered me that the others saw what 1 did not see. How could I discover this, I wondered? “I stayed in the vicinity of tlie manger for some days and on the eighth day they named the child ‘Jesus.’ Then according to the law of Moses, when the time came for the ceremony of purification, the parents, Mary and Joseph, took the babe to Jerusalem. Fortunately, I was able to follow them as they took their first-born son to he presented to the Lord. I wanted to know why the shepherds glorified and praised God for what they had heard and seen. “When Mary and Joseph went into the Jerusalem temple, a man standing and waiting there asked if he may hold the child in his arms. They gave the small Jesus to the man who called himself Simeon. Then Simeon said this: ‘Lord, my eyes have seen thy salvation which thou has prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel.’ “Joseph and Mary marveled at Simeon’s words. Simeon blessed them and bid farewell, saying: ‘Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against—and a sword will pierce through your own soul also—so that thoughts out of many hearts may he revealed.’ “As I listened to these words, somehow in part I knew why the shepherds praised God. They recognized in this child, just as Simeon did, one sent by God. Through this child, finally through the grown man, God will make himself known. The Jewish prophets spoke of this already. Now the shepherds have brought the wonderful news that they recognized as God’s activity and revelation. For the ungodly this is a light of revelation; for the attackers, God’s sign: for many in Israel it is the rising. For all, this is God’s salvation. “Dear parents, now 1 believe and know that this child is different, because he is God sent. Your loving son, Pretronius.” August J. Molnár The Kings of Bethlehem Attila József: Bethlehemi királyok Jesus, Jesus, God greet you, God greet you! Three kings are we well and true. Flaming star stood round our place, So we came on foot in haste. Little Iamb said: never fear, Jesus Christ is dwelling here. I am Melchoir, you see. God be gracious unto me! Son of God, good afternoon, afternoon! No, we are not priests of doom, But we heard that you were born, You the king of poor, forlorn. So we thought we would look in, Heaven’s child, salvation’s kin. My name, Casper, represents A king in some earthly sense. Lord Saviour, God bless you, God bless you! Far and warm land crossed we through. All our bread and cheese is gone, All our shining boots are worn, But we brought you gold a lot, Incense in an iron pot. I am Balthazar, this means The king of the Saracens. Blushes, blushes Mary red, Mary red. Happy mother bends her head. Through the tears which fill her eyes Scarcely sees her Jesus Christ. All around the shepherds sing. Time to feed the little thing. Dearest Three Kings, kind and true. New good night, good night to you! Translated by DR. EGON F. KUNZ My Dream I dreamed I saw Christ come again Across the snowy Christmas plain, With gifts and blessings in His hand For every heart in every land; But He brought not a painted toy, Some little superficial joy, A dole a moment’s need to cure, A Christmas dinner for the poor. He brought to all men everywhere The right to do, the right to share. The right to think, the right to learn, The right to labor and to earn, Courage to walk with head erect. In peace of mind and self-respect. The right to face life unafraid. Oh, what a Christmas Day it made. ILION T. JONES 16
