Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1970-12-01 / 12. szám
REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA jCLong, jCLonof ^4c,o Winds through the olive trees Softly did blow; Round little Bethlehem Long, long ago. Sheep on the hillside lay Whiter than snow; Shepherds were watching them, Long, long ago. Then from tljie happy sky, Angels bent low, Singing their songs of joy, Long, long ago. For in a manger bed, Cradled we know. Christ came to Bethlehem, Long, long ago. Author Unknown ^^hristmas in the <J~Ceart It is Christmas in the mansion, Yule-log fires and silken frocks; It is Christmas in the cottage, Mother’s filling little socks. It is Christmas on the highway, In the thronging, busy mart; But the dearest truest Christmas Is i the Christmas in the heart. The Editorial Board of the Reformátusok Lapja wish all our readers a very Blessed Christmas and New Year. Author Unknown The Christmas Legend of Open House In legend and story, we are told that it was in England, back in the days of the early Saxons, that the custom of open house at Christmas first began. The great halls of the Saxon lords were thrown open to everyone, noble and peasant alike. It was a joyful occasion of frolic and feasting for all. To climax the festivities, the great Yule log was dragged into the hall. Amid shouts and cheers, each person sat on the log and made a wish. The log was then lifted onto the open hearth and it was believed to bring good luck if it were lighted with a piece of tinder left from the log of the preceding Christmas. The warmth and hospitality of open house has been passed on through the ages, until today this delightful English tradition has become an almost universal custom. PRAYER O God of Power, we approach thee with hoping hearts that the sacrifice of our gratitude will be pleasing unto thee. It was the power of thy love that we felt on this new morning also as the first rays of light from thy sun encircled our earth, restoring, after a night of rest, our health, our soundness of body and our willing readiness for work. Praise be unto thee for this. We have heard from thy Word the urgings of thy Holy Spirit that the seeking of peace is good. Anger is a poor counselor and the source of all evil. Happy, therefore, is he who safeguards the meekness of his heart and walks the path of his calling in peace. O Father, we see the misery, the hurt, the dying that comes from making war and how long it is before sad memories fade and how even after many years, the tears of the widow, the poverty of the orphan, the mourning of sisters and brothers, remains. Teach us peace, O Thou giver and sustainer of life. How pleased thou art, O heavenly Father, when we desire to win favor with each other by the noble impulses of our hearts as we strive for the good of one another, thy will is done: peace, happiness and understanding among men. Bring us to this joy also, gracious Father; scatter far from us the clouds of war and keep us under the guidance of thy Holy Spirit and give us peace for this day and always. Amen. Debrecen, 1936 Géza H. Kiss Translated by A. L. Beretz
