Calvin Synod Herald, 2018 (118. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
2018-01-01 / 1-2. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD So, Christmas always comes at night When men are hungriest for light! Can Wise Men see a star at noon? Can Shepherds hear the Angels ’ tune When sun is bright? Christmas comes in deepest dark When in despair man sees a spark Conquering the night! As I said, the congregation having circled the sanctuary, leaving an offering at the Chancel steps on the way, received the light from the Christ Candle, borne to them by the acolytes. Then “Stille Nacht.” We tried to end at midnight. Then rang chimes for Christmas Day from the organ. I would then offer a Christmas Prayer. On one occasion the prayer arose as follows: “O Thou, who over time has made yourself known in sacramental moments, fleeting dreams, and prophetic words, we rejoice that you have revealed yourself in the Child born in the manger and in our lives through faith. We give thanks that we have been included in the knowledge of this joy. And we pray we may not grow blasé or immune to the surprise of this good news. Rather may we sense again in the moment and in this season the wonder of it all, the unfathomable mystery, that with awe and reverence we too may bow and own this expression of yourself as our Savior and our Lord. With all others of good will we pray that peace and justice will descend on troubled places because folk stop and hear the song, “Peace on earth, good will to all people.” And the benediction: “Now the peace of God which comes in the One born among us, whose Spirit neither leaves us or forsakes us, go with you where you play, travel and work, giving you a joy the world can never give. Amen. Then, at the door, coats and scarves in place, we would wish each other, “Merry Christmas!” and walk out midst the gently falling snow. The street lights lighted the night scape. All was calm. All was bright. All was right. I remember it as if it were yesterday. In eternal time it was not even that long ago. David B. Bowman Saratoga, CA EPIPHANY After Easter, Epiphany is the second oldest season in the Christian Church year. The Greek word Epiphany can be translated “the showing forth.” And Epiphany is the day which leads to the season, in which we celebrate “ the showing forth of our Lord Jesus as a baby to the Wise Men or Magi. Thus, the season of Epiphany is ALSO about light: The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah guide us this way”.. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” So the season of Epiphany is also about the coming of the true Light into the darkness of this world. And who is the one true light in our lives but Jesus.. Scripture tells us that “Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, Jesus is the light which no darkness can overcome.” Light was the first word spoken by God at creation. “Let there be light.” And there was light, and God saw the light and said that it was good. David the psalmist king said “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The symbol of the presence of God in Scripture is light. Godislight;inhimthereisnodarknessatall”(l Johnl:5NIV). Isaiah reminds us that this wonderful Light that scatters the darkness “Lift up your eyes and look about you., Isaiah says. “See how all people assemble and come to you, your sons and daughters. He is calling them out of darkness, into His marvelous light. Isaiah foresaw the day that the nations would come to worship the true God. Isaiah foresaw the day when wise men would come to Israel seeking the Christ who was bom in Bethlehem. He saw the day when those who once worshipped the stars would be led by the star to bow down and worship the Child who was their King, their God, their Savior. Matthew in his Gospel fulfills what was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah., that in the days of King Herod wise men from the east came to Jerusalem inquiring of the birth of a new king. A common word today to describe these men is called The Magi,OrWiseMenTherewasnotthree,butmaybeacaravan... Scripture says that the Magi followed the star in hopes of finding the promises king. The Wise Men traveled purely on a faith journey. When they embarked from their homeland, they didn’t know exactly where the star would lead them. They had no certainty that they would find the newborn king but they took the risk and their faith was rewarded. Modem day people of faith like us have an advantage over the Wise Men; we know the identity of the king we follow. We read in the scripture that when they found Him they fell down at the feet of this child, and paid him kingly homage. Homage is worship, and Worship is giving glory to God. There are many good reasons why we ought to give homage to God: but let me lift up at least two.... First, because we acknowledge Him with our gratitude...
