The Bethlen Home Messenger, 1993-1994 (1-3. szám)

1993-12-01 / 1. szám

(Híjaplain’ g (Earner by Rev. Joseph Posta

READ ISAIAH 40:3-5, LUKE 3:1-6

John the Baptist was a lonely man; he was a voice in the wilderness. Many came and listened to him, but few believed. They had heard from the Prophets that the Messiah was coming, but they could not imagine that the wishful longing of four thousand years could be answered by the little cry of a baby in a manger. The human mind finds it hard to see God in a stable.

That is why we must prepare for His coming. Create in me a clean heart! Only the heart that has been made clean of sin by His forgiveness can be ready to meet Him as He comes again this Christmas.

Make straight the way of the Lord! Two thousand years ago, John prepared his people for the coming of the Savior. Today, we, too, must prepare ourselves. We can make His way straight in our own hearts by asking Him to help us forget the weary and crowded world, the lonely pain in our hearts, and the confused hurry of our lives. He will come, but He must have room when He comes.

Two thousand years ago, the world had only a stable for Him. Today, there are great churches, chanting choirs, trees and lights and gifts. But, greater than all these -- and far more important to Him — is the quiet heart that is ready and prepared for Him to come and live there forever.

One of our troubles has been that we have romanticized and sentimentalized the stable and the manger. We see them through the warm glow of our comfortable homes, our candles and our well-fed bodies ... Perhaps we have never quite dared to face up to the fact that a stable is no place to have a baby ... and a manger is no good place for a child to begin life ... It was cold, ugly, and dirty, as far as you can get from the golden streets and the pearly gates of our modern life.

Why do you think that God wanted the Baby to be born in a stable? Why not at least in Nazareth or the inn or a house? I am sure that in your years of life you have already learned the answer: in order to do what He came to do, He had to come under the worst and lowliest... He had to be born like an outcast or an outlaw in order to show, once and for all, that before God there are not outcasts and no outlaws ... there are sinners, but they can become saints ... there are bad people, but they can become good ... there are poor people who can become rich . . . there are shepherds who can talk to the princes of Heaven ... and all this can happen and has happened because He went lower than anybody else in the history of the world ... so low and so lowly that no one need ever be afraid of the manger and the Baby in it. No one could have predicted that this mangerwould make salvation and history for all mankind.

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, our story and God’s response can be told in these four momentous words: do not be afraid.

And the man said, “I heard your sound in the garden, and I was afraid ...” (Genesis 3:10)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear...”

(Psalm 46:1-2)

And the angel said to the shepherds, “Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy . .

(Luke 2:10)

And Jesus said to the disciples, “Why are you afraid,

0 men of little faith?” (John 14:27)

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for

1 know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.”

(Matthew 28:5)

According to one count, “Do not be afraid” is spoken by God 365 times in the Bible, once for every day of the year. It is reassuring to hear these words from the lips of the angels each day of your life, but especially on this coming Christmas.

With these thoughts and feelings... On behalf of my family, I wish to all of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Let us pray: O God, our heavenly Father, as once more the year draws to a close, we turn to Thee with gratitude and praise. Thou art the same, yesterday, today and forever. We come to hide ourselves under the shadow of Thy wings. We would rest amid the changes of time in Thine unchanging love. We bless Thee for Thy goodness to us through the passing days; Thy guidance has never failed us; Thy promises Thou has always kept; Thy presence has been our constant joy and strength. We bless Thee for any part we have had in the fulfillment of Thy purpose concerning Thy kingdom. Forgive us wherein we have been unworthy of the work or have failed to seize the passing opportunity. Grant unto us grace that the coming days may be filled with fuller trust and devotion so that we may be better followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We thank Thee especially forthe dawning of this, another year of Thy grace. Go Thou with us every step of the way, and bring us to its close in peace. Make each day instinct with Thy presence, and our part surpassing in service. Make this be a year of the putting forth of Thy power in the world. May Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven ... In Jesus name we ask ... Amen.