Calvin Synod Herald, 1997 (97. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1997-03-01 / 2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD AMERIKAI MAGYAR REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA- 5 -Which is the “Greatest” Christian Holiday? by Rev. Alexander Jalsó Obviously, not everybody will give the same answer, but the best would be: either Easter or Christmas. Both holidays are ushered in by a longer preparation, Easter by Lent, lasting six weeks, and Christmas by Advent, lasting four weeks. It must also be clear that without Christ’s birth, there could not have been crucifixion and resurrection. As far as the commerce is concerned, Christmas is number one. However, if we raise the question this way: which event in Christ’s life was the most significant in theology? Undoubtedly, it is Easter, the joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection. The crucial message of the whole New Testament is: Christ was raised from the dead and He is alive! Let Us See the Major Holidays as We Contrast and Compare them with Christmas Christmas and LENT: After the season of decoration, beautiful shop windows, wonder Christmas trees inside and illuminated nativity scenes outside, Lent arrives with its SIMPLICITY and PURITAN CHALLENGE.. Now, not the FANCY ELABORATE is the issue, but the SERENE and HUMBLE. During the Christmas season, the OUTWARD EXPRESSION is important when many of us wish to outdo our neighbor or competitor in decoration; however, during Lent, we turn INWARD and the quiet soul-searching is in the center. Read Matthew 6:6 and 16-18. Christmas and EASTER: The two opposite poles of Christ’s life and our Christian teaching. Especially St. John points in this direction and in Revelation 22:13, he quotes our Lord: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end". Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. We are reminded that our whole life is in between birth and death without exception. Every birth takes place under the shadow of death and every Christian funeral is the witness to a new, spiritual beginning. How true was apostle Paul: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he (she) is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17. Christmas and ASCENSION THURSDAY Unfortunately, this holiday is slowly forgotten and the ascension of our Lord has not been celebrated recently. It falls on a weekday and since it is not an official holiday when government offices are closed, thus it is overlooked outside the church. Ascension Thursday always takes place forty days after Easter and ten days before Pentecost. The Apostle Paul contrasts Christmas with Ascension Thursday: “In saying, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is He who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.” Ephesians 4:9-10. The COMING DOWN and GOING UP can be interpreted symbolically, too: to accept or abandon, to be close or far, friendly or hostile, sympathetic or unfriendly. While at Christmas: “...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” John 1:14 at Ascension Thursday the resurrected body of our Lord became totally spiritual again. Christmas and PENTECOST. The beginning, the end, and the CONTINUATION. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot speak about being born again! Our Lord said to Nicodemus: -.Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born anew, he (she) cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3-5. At Christmas, God reached down in Jesus Christ and after Pentecost, Christ touches us and draws us to Him through the Holy Spirit. We prepare ourselves for Christmas in the proper way if we constantly keep in our mind what Christ has said about Himself: “/ am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Revelation 22:13. Happy Easter d^/te Season of gratitude Attitude! Ady Poem What a joyfuCthing for the worldit would he if the Christmas spirit wouldring in our hearts and find expression in Cpndly acts and Coving words, not oniy on that holiday, hut on every day of theyear. What a heautifufplace the worldwouldhe to hive in! Teace andgood-wi(Ceverywhere and afways! Let each of us resohve that, so faros we are concerned, peace and good- zvillshadhe our motto every day, adn we wid do our best to maCp the Christmas spirit Cast aCC the year round Anonymous Walk among, dear Man-God. It is spring, the weeds are growing, And the just man is rare. You are as I pictured with heart That is slightly ableed. And still, my heart is yours.
