Fraternity-Testvériség, 1968 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1968-12-01 / 12. szám
English Section CHRISTMAS PRAYER ffltxxy Cfjriőtmaö anb & ftappp 1969! The Christmas holidays are certainly the most important time of the year for everyone. To small children, they mean the excitement of presents, special feasts, candy, generally some attendance at colorful parties, and perhaps a devotional: service. To the older children, the holidays mean vacation from school, perhaps a first work experience, the thrill and problems of buying special girl or boy friends a present and, of course, all the things the little ones also enjoy. To the rest of us, Christmas means all this and more: the pleasure and happiness of family and friends, the knowledge that another year will join the procession through which we have passed, perhaps a tinge of sadness because of those we have lost this past year, and hopefully, a bit of joy in the addition of a new arrival to the family circle. As the year ends, we look back at our problems which were overcome and look forward at the new year with determination to make it one of accomplishment and growth in our personal lives and in our ability to give happiness to others. To everyone in the United States, the Christmas holidays mean the end of another year of well being in freedom, a year of living in the finest country in the world. The year end means a time of resolving that we will keep this heritage of freedom for this next year and the ones that follow. And lastly, we breathe a deep thankfulness for all the blessings we have as we celebrate the significance of Christmas, the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas and a happy 1969! Be thou with us at Christmas 0 Lord of Love and Light. And celebrate thy birthday And keep it ever bright. Help us to spread thy good will And peace O'er all the earth And to keep that Love light shining. That started with thy birth. Be Thou with us, dear Jesus. That is our Christmas prayer. That we may s pread thy message To people everywhere. "SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT” On Christinas Eve, 1818 —• 150 years ago today — Father Joseph Mohr, parish priest of Oberndorf in the Austrian Alps, penned the opening lines of “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” — Silent night, holy night — the beloved Christmas Carol that has since been translated into countless languages. His organist, Franz Gruber, touched by the beauty of the words, in less than an hour wrote the music. The hymn was sung that same night at the Midnight Mass, to the accompaniment of a guitar — for the organ had broken down. It might have been forgotten, however, had not Karl Mauracher, organ builder and repairman, heard the melody and taught it to four children with exceptionally beautiful voices. These children attracted the attention of the Director General of Music in Saxony, who arranged to have them sing before the King and Queen at a concert. Their Majesties then invited the children to the castle to sing the Nativity Hymn at the end of the Christmas services in the Royal Saxon Court Chapel. The music to “Silent Night” was first printed in 1842, 24 years after its composition. u/tsii you lA joyous Ctetmas and liappiness tkficuglmt tlie lAÍgu^ QJea/t REV. ARPAD GEORGE Secretary DR. ZOLTÁN BEKY President PAUL ST. MIKLOSSY Treasurer LÁSZLÓ L. ESZENYI Controller OF THE HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION OF AMERICA WASHINGTON, D. C. 9
