Fraternity-Testvériség, 1980 (58. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1980-10-01 / 4. szám
REV. IMRE A. BERTALAN: WHOA! SLOW DOWN ■ What do the weeks before Christmas mean to us? How do we spend our time during these four weeks Just recently, in talking with one of our church members, I heard an incredible account of how this woman spends the four weeks before Christmas. First, there is shopping for the large family. Many hours are spent, 3 or 4 nights a week trying to figure out the right gift for each person. This woman will probably visit every shopping center in the city before she’s through. Then there comes the Christmas decorations — not only for her home, but she also helps her children decorate their homes. Beside the Christmas tree and wreaths her family hangs lights on the house, paints up the windows and decorates the trees in the front yard. Then comes all the cooking and baking. She’s already started! In fact, I had the pleasure of eating one of her cookies — not a Christmas cookie, mind you, but one of several batches baked to provide refreshments during all the work of these next four weeks! It is incredible! But you know, as I listened to the account of this dear woman, I had an urge to say: “Whoa! Slow down!” There’s another way to spend the next four weeks. And friends, this is the message for us, too, this coming season: “Whoa! Slow down! This year, for a change, let’s celebrate Advent!” What is Advent? Well, first of all, Advent is a time for anticipation and expectation. Recall Jeremiah’s prophecy: The LORD says, “The time is coming when I choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land. When he is king, the people of Judah will be safe, and the people of Israel will live in peace. He will be called ‘The LORD Our Salvation’.” FRATERNITY Official Organ of The Hungarian Reformed Fed. of America Edited by Officers of the Federation Published quarterly — four times a year. Subscription for non-members in U.S.A. and Canada $2, elsewhere $3 a year. Office of Publication: Bethlen Press, Inc., Ligonier, Pa. 15658 POSTMASTER:—Send Form 3579 to Editorial Office: P. O. Box 34917, Washington, D. C. 20034. Telephone: (301) 770-1144. Editorial Committee: Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor— Rt. Rev. Arpad George, President Associate Editors— László L. Eszenyi, Executive Vice-President, Elmer E. Vargo, Secretary, Joseph S. Molnár, Treasurer. Second Class Postage Paid at the Post Office in Ligonier, Pa. 15658. Through these words, Jeremiah echoes the expectation of the other Old Testament prophets as they predict the coming of the Savior promised by God. We are all familiar with our feelings of anticipation as we await the arrival of a soon to be born infant or a dear relative we haven’t seen in a long time. We are familiar with the manner in which our excitement increases as the day of arrival approaches. Advent, then, is a time for each of us to anticipate the coming of Jesus. Let the excitement build between now and Christmas Day. Secondly, Advent is a time of joy. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and her relative Mary, the mother of Jesus, were ecstatic with joy when they became pregnant through the blessing of the Holy Spirit. They knew their offspring were ordained by God to be special. And for this reason Mary sang her song of praise: “My heart praises the Lord: my soul is glad because of God my Savior, for he has remembered me, his lowly servant! From now on all people will call me happy, because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me.” Advent is the time for us to share in Mary’s and Elizabeth’s joy, as we remember the “great things the Mighty God has done for (us)”. Advent, thirdly, is a time of repentance. John the Baptist echoed this theme as he prepared the way for the Savior Jesus. We, too must repent. We, too, must acknowledge our wrong doing. During the Advent season we must take time for critical self-evaluation. For by opening our hearts in this manner, we open the door for our new born Savior to step in. Fourthly, Advent is a time of hope — undying hope for the future, based on God’s undying commitment to us through His Son, Jesus. Advent, after all, is a period of preparation. Through our expectation, our joy, our repentence and our hope, we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Will we be ready for the coming of Christ? Will we he ready for the birth of Jesus? Slow down! Let’s take our time. Let’s use Advent this year to prepare. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION Title of Publication — Fraternity. Frequency of Issue — Four (4) times a year. Location of Publication — Bethlen Press, Inc., Ligonier, Pa. 15658. Publisher — Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Editor — Rt. Reverend Arpad George, President of the H. R. F. A. P.O. Box 34917, Washington, D. C. 20034. Owner — Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. P.O. Box 34917, Washington D. C. 20034. No share holders — Non-Profit. Total No. of Copies printed — 13,450. Mail Subscriptions — 13,100. Free Distribution 100. Total Distribution — 13,200. Office use, leftover, unaccounted for, spoiled after printing — 250. I certify that the statements made above are correct and complete. Sándor E. Chomos, Mgr. Bethlen Press, Inc. Ligonier, Pa. 15658 3
