Calvin Synod Herald, 2018 (118. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)

2018-01-01 / 1-2. szám

CALV IN SYNOD HERALD

5

We can say again with the Psalmist “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name, bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Ps. 103:1 -2)

Second: because we express our humility and gratitude.

The proud do not give glory to God. proud people do not express gratitude. God is praised by the humble and grateful. But, yet the main theme of this account, is the manifestation of Christ the Lord to the whole world .... and to the wise men the star is a revelation, and they promptly set off to glorify God.

The Magi, being men of faith, see it as a guide that will lead them to worship and adoration. They opened their treasures. No act of worship is complete without opening our treasures and laying them at the feet of One we call Savior and Lord. They bring Gold. A gift of value still today - greatly significant - a gift suited for royalty. These Magi also bring Incense. Incense is a gift given to Deity in worship.

But the third gift is Very different. Myrrh. Myrrh was a very versatile substance in ancient times. We hear it mentioned first in the Bible in Exodus as a principle ingredient in the holy anointing oil.

It was a primary ingredient in perfumes of the day.

What shall we give to Jesus,? Here are some suggestions.

The first Gifts that Jesus will appreciate is love. The Pharisees asked Jesus this question to test him: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” (Matt. 22:36).

Jesus answered by saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul, and with thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second gift we can give is forgiveness. In the model prayer, Jesus said to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12).

The third gift he will appreciate is a good example.

YoumayrememberthewordsofJesus:Letyourlightyour life so shine that others may find it as a good example to follow.

We are in the season of Epiphany and Epiphany also has another name called discovery.

Epiphany is the period of the church calendar in which we affirm the discovery of Jesus, it is the season in which his real identity, is made clear to the world.

What began with the very private announcement by the angel to Mary, then angel to Joseph, the angel to the shepherds, is now an announcement made to us as well as to the world,,, to a global audience of witnesses. For me epiphany is one of the most important seasons in the church because this is the season in which we come to see, who Jesus is, where He is to be found, and where we begin to understand what he is about.

The Epiphany message is greater than the manger and goes well beyond it. To leave the story of Jesus Christ in the manger, to pack it up and put it away for another year, is to fail to understand what the Epiphany is all about.

Everything we say, everything we do in church in these

coming weeks is part of this growing process of discovery of who Jesus is and where he is to be found.

In Matthew gospel we read in chapter 2: 1-2 “When Jesus was bom in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is he who has been bom king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.”

On the Christian calendar January 6 is celebrated in observance of the fact that, in Christ, the light of God has broken into the world in a way that’s visible to all people.

Let me ask you this question: Are you shining forth the light of Christ in a powerful way, such that people might come to His light in the same dramatic fashion as did the Magi? With Epiphany we are embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage to follow the light and worship the One who is light of the World? So, do not stop searching, follow the road to the end, and when you find Him do not be afraid to worship Him with the gifts of your life.

AULD LANG SYNE

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup! and surely I’ll buy mine!

And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!

And give us a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS