Fraternity-Testvériség, 1974 (52. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-01-01 / 1-3. szám
English Section DR. STEPHEN SZABÓ: Caőtcr jHeöőage Once I viewed a dramatic presentation of the Nativity in a great Opera House. I will never forget it. Christmas music was sung by a great choir. Voices and organ music filled the tremendous hall in a mounting ecstasy of sound. Lights became lighter and lighter. When organ and choir had reached a sweeping crescendo, suddenly with a brilliant light and crash of music two mammoth doors swung open, and there before our eyes was the manger scene, with a huge, black cross in the background. The ear drums vibrated to the exultant “Joy to the world, the Lord is come”. The choir, the organ, the lights and the sudden appearing of the manger scene produced upon the audience an overwhelming feeling of joy: but the sight of the huge, black cross behind the manger just as suddenly filled the hearts of the audience with the feeling of awe. Here before our eyes had been portrayed the miracle of Go sending His Son into this world. “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. . .” There was an irresistable attraction about the whole scene, and yet it was tremendously frightening! We were startled into a new appreciation of the dramatic event which changed the course of history so long ago. We were humble and penitent before the supreme act of God. The manger of Bethlehem and the cross of Calvary, these two, are the most expressive symbols of our holy religion. God gave his Son through the manger to the cross. The cross of Good Friday is the symbol of sacrifice. And we can never attain the fullness of the Peace of the manger on this earth unless we are prepared to face the issue of sacrafice. Sacraficial life: is not that the message of the Christian Gospel. We do look at the cross with awe: awe that Almighty God could send his Son to such an earth as this, to be sacraficed at the end for such sinners as we are. When did the world need such a message more than in our day? Has there been a time in history when men needed a working faith more than now? When in history has faith in goodness and peace, in right and justice, been more severely tested? When, if not now, has faith so sorely tried — faith that love will ultimately triumph over hate, that justice will dethrone injustice, that right will conquer over might? The peace of the Christchild is a paradoxical truth: for His peace is within strife, His calm is in the midst of turmoil, His victory is in death. Joy is born in sorrow, and life is born in death. But the cross is not the end of the road. The open grave of Easter morning is the fulfillment of the “little Gospel” that brings the greatest message of the Gospel of Christ: his birth, his death, his resurrection. Come to the open grave on this Easter morning therefore: there is a message of joy for you there! Come to the open grave on this Easter morning, which proclaims to us through the message of His birth and of His death Life in Him and unity with Him and our faith in the Kingdom to come in spite of all the hatred of this world and all the ragings of seemingly endless wars. “In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time: All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. When the woes of life o’er take me, Hope deceives, and fears annoy: Never shall the cross forsake me: Lo, it glows with peace and joy. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure, By the cross are sanctified: Peace is there that knows no measure, Joys that through all time abide.” | The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America wishes a happy and blessed Easter to all its Members and Friends The National Officers. 13
