Fraternity-Testvériség, 1972 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-10-01 / 10-12. szám
English Section: Hét WÍÜ (§0 I :: The I *' Bethlehem did not know that they B were to be the leaders of a never- ■ ending pilgrimage. When the angels I were gone, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem to see this thing that has come to pass.” Christmas brings joy to the church, to men and even to the world. The signs of joy are everywhere around us. The gifts, the evergreens, the trees, the charitable donations, the family reunions and the festivities of friends are the symbols of the real and true joy that Christmas represents. Bethlehem was and still is a little poor town. A humble couple, a village carpenter and his wife, went to their assigned place by governmental order to be taxed. They shared a very humble lodging in a room of the cattle-cave because there was no place for them at the inn. Mary placed her son ill a cradle of the cattle's manger. Try to replace Joseph and Mary with a rich king and queen of royal blood. Instead of the stable place a royal palace. Instead of the manger a purple cradle decorated with the most precious, expensive and valuable jewels. Instead of the simple but faithful shepherds have Herod the King in his silver robe bending over the child. When you do this you have taken the real and true spirit out of Christmas. No matter how humble your birth, how poor your cloth, how simple your home, how lowly graded your trade, how backward your education, bring Christ into them and they shine with a heavenly glory. The tilings that are seen are temporal and pass away; the things that are not seen are of lasting value and eternal. Only a few shepherds watching their sheep late at night saw the heavens open. Only a few pilgrims from the East followed the guidance of the bright star. Only a few persons heard the angel song. The greatest and most outstanding events of human history were always inspired, guided and accomplished by a few dedicated persons. 1972 was a great year in human history. We read only about a few names, a few cities, a few nations, but the influence and the endeavor of the few brought the East closer to the West; from war toward peace; from armed confrontation to friendly communication; from hatred and hostility to active cooperation. We pray that by Christmas or New Year our prisoners of war in North Vietnam will return to our beloved land ana i973 will end the Vietnam conflict and start the new era of building and reconstruction. We must go to Bethlehem to free ourselves from weakness, discouragement, despair and of little faith. May Christmas bring light and peace to humanity, to the world and may it never let anything separate us from the love of Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Reverend Arpad George Secretary 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 lamb 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 ive 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 12
