Ministers’ Letter

“Peace on Earth, good will to men” Luke 2: 14b

This line has been in my mind for a couple of weeks now when I think of this coming Christmas.

Obviously, right now this is rather like part of a wish list that you would give to Santa as you sit on his lap when asked: what would you like for this Christmas?

These are the days when we definitely don’t envy politicians for their jobs they are trying to manage the interest of their country, the personal and professional relationship with their fellow heads of state, and come out of it as a reasonable, if not a good guy.

The whole world is changing and not necessarily for the better.

And still, in the midst of all wars, conflicts and disagreements, we can still have peace, a personal one.

The Prince of Peace entered into human history in order to build a bridge between Heaven and Earth, between the Divine and mankind, bringing news of great tidings…and those poor shepherds who lived under Roman occupation, became joyful, happy and got peace in their hearts.

They knew from that divine visitation that God kept an eye on their lives in the midst of political troubles and even though it does not seem today, but still is in control what is happening in our world.

Peace on earth and good will to men – for me and maybe for you too, it can be when you get home from work and your family or just your pet welcomes you, put the kettle on and having a decent cup of tea…

I do not say that the peace comes from that cup of tea but rather a moment of quietness in the company of a cuppa does help…of course, if your choice is a glass of something else…

That “something else” reminds me of that film 55 Days at Peking [1963] with Charleston Heston, Ava Gardner and David Niven in which after a Chinese incident at a reception there was a diplomatic crisis meeting at the British Embassy. And when they asked Sir Arthur [David Niven] about what he was intending to do, he said he was going to have a glass of champagne. If you have not seen that film yet, you are more than welcome to check it out…or refresh your memory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJdGxLZ5qzE

And then the German Ambassador said: “You know I admire Sir Arthur. He always gives me the feeling that God must be an Englishman.”

I think part of that, let’s historical English DNA is that normally they would not be carried away by their feelings, right? They would stay calm no matter what – just like their motto on mugs and T-shirts say: “Keep Calm and…”

When Jesus came as a Prince of Peace, he communicated and gave the peace of heaven to all believers.

That is why we can take a step back from our trouble for a moment and reflect on whatevers happening with a glass of drink in our hands and be like Sir Arthur: a symbol of calmness and sobriety.

Knowing that God is in control, and He knows about our case personally, can give us peace in our hearts, whether we celebrate Christmas in trenches of war in Ukraine, in a shelter in Gaza, when we are waiting for a test result or for a surgery.

That way we can be like a Sir Arthur to anyone in our community: a person representing peace and calm which can point to the One from where we got that too.

Peace on earth and good will to men/to all: this is our prayer for the world during this Advent season and this is [peace and good will] what we will exercise & pass on, spread around in our community.

Merry Christmas to you all! Boldog Karacsonyt mindenkinek! 

Blessings, Gyula