by Arai Tomoki, 9th grade student Natori Church, Tohoku District
About 100 junior high school students took part in the camp this time. Including myself, three students from Tohoku District participated. And among the staff, one of the leaders was from Tohoku District.
At Karuizawa Megumi Chalet, where we stayed this time, the air was fresh; it was a place where any worrisome things would seem to be blown away, a place overflowing with God’s grace and seemingly nearest to the “Kingdom of God.”
The camp program was mostly of two types: “workshops” and “activities.” The “workshops” consisted of groups that focused on being a worship service leader, sign language worship, and doing plays from Bible stories, etc., where we prepared for and practiced the various aspects of the worship service scheduled for the third day. I was in charge of sign language worship, and we enjoyed practicing with the staff leader while learning sign language. At the worship service, we were able to do this in a way that conveyed the feeling of the Japanese hymn, “The Fragrant Breeze on Golgotha’s Hill.” For the “activity, ” I chose inside games, but as there were so few of us, we joined the film appreciation group. However, since all the participants other than myself were girls, the content became “ making accessories,” which was unfortunate. (Following this, we went for a walk to Kyu Karuizawa, so I was able to get a change in mood.)
In the worship services during the camp, we heard Rev. Shiotani Naoya and Rev. Horioka Makiko’s valuable talks, and in the evening, YURIE’s songs, which quieted my heart and gave me energy for the next day. In addition, we also discussed a variety of things with the leaders and students in the room where the “group meeting” was held. For the most part, we talked about small concerns as well as deeper concerns, such as whether we desired to receive baptism, and we had a really wonderful time.
Incidentally, the four members from Tohoku District wore Dokugan Ryu* (the One-Eyed Dragon) – Luther t-shirts, which we made. On the back was written “Reformation Youth 500 in Tohoku.” During the camp, these t-shirts were very popular with the leaders. I really want to take part in the March Youth Conference. (Tr. RT)
*The One-Eyed Dragon refers to the most famous samurai warrior in Tohoku, Date Masamune, who had a patch over his right eye.
マ ルチンも 東北来れば 独眼竜
（荒井共生中 学三年生
名取教会）
今回のキャンプには、約百名もの中高生たちが参加していました。 東北教区からは僕を入れて三人が参加しました。また、
今回の宿泊場所であった「恵みシャレー軽井沢」は、とても空気が おいしくて、悩み事もすぐに吹き飛んでしまうような、
キャンプ中のプログラムは、主に「ワークショップ」と「アクティ ビティ」の二種類でした。「ワークショップ」では、
キャンプ中の礼拝では、塩谷直也（Shiotani Noya）先生や、堀岡満喜子(Horioka Makiko)先生の貴重なお話を聞くことができ、
その他にも、同室の先生方と生徒で行う「グループミーティング」 で色々な事を語り合ったりしました。主に、小さな悩み事から、
ちなみに、東北教区の四人は手作りの「独眼竜Dokugan Ryu(the One-Eyed Dragon)ルターRutherＴシャツ」を着ていきました。
三月のユースカンファレンスにもぜひ参加したいです。
by Sato Misaki, 10th grade student Soka Church, Kanto District
I took part in the Kyodan’s Reformation Youth 500 event at Megumi Chalet in Karuizawa (a Christian campsite in Nagano Prefecture), Aug. 9-11. I spent a meaningful and enjoyable time, which I thought must be God’s leading.
For me, the workshops were the best part. I participated in the “worship leaders” group. There, of course, we dealt with the flow of the worship service, considering the contents of prayers, and we also delved into why prayer is really important in the first place, as we participated in developing a worship service. In the midst of that activity, we also dealt with a Bible passage—this time, the story about Jesus and Zaccheus, and we studied this passage through songs, dancing, pictures, plays and messages. While listening to these messages, I thought about how much we have in common with Zaccheus.
I attend a Christian school, but here at this event, there was a freshness in that camp environment as we shared information and ideas with the many pastors and same-age companions who were also Christians—a good environment and a rare opportunity. This was one point that made my attendance at this camp so good. While participating with my companions and the pastors, I realized that in the midst of my busy days I forget to pray; but as I am talking more to God now, it would be good to entrust my concerns to God, and it would be good to put down the burdens I am carrying. I thought that as I pray to God, I need to become more frank with God. It’s not that I am not always frank with God, but I had thought that dealing with my present thoughts and feelings, suffering with the worries that I have now by myself, was a good thing. At times, it is important to reflect on one’s worries, but I realized that confiding those things to God and talking about them with Him is also important. When reflecting on my life prior to this camp, I realized how really important this camp was for me.
In addition, while we enjoyed the abundant nature surrounding Karuizawa, we played a game of volleyball in which we were thinking of commemorating the 500th anniversary by trying to keep the volleyball up in the air for 500 volleys. Our group of about 20, which included both male and female pastors together with students from elementary school through high school, had a lot of fun. But we soon realized that we would never get up to 500, so we proceeded by counting each volley as ten. The adults were particularly intense, and we soon forgot time as we played. This was one of the activities, which also included a walk through Kyu Karuizawa, hiking, etc. In the evening, after a delicious dinner, we played such card games as “millionaire” and interacted with our companions. As new ties have been created, I am in contact with these companions even now as we celebrate one another’s birthdays and get together. While holding in my heart the sense that all things born from these ties are within God’s plan, I want to continue to build up my relationship with God. (Tr. RT)
リフォーユース500を終えて 高校一年 佐藤美咲（草加教会）
私は今年の夏に軽井沢の恵みシャレーで行われた「リフォーユース
私が一番良かったと思うのが、ワークショップでした。私は「司 会」のグループに参加しました。ここでは、
また軽井沢の豊かな自然に囲まれながら、二十人くらいの牧師の 方々と小学生から高校生までの男女混合でやったバレーボールのト
by Sasaki Michio, Kyodan vice-moderator
Pastor, Shizuoka Church, Tokai District
While telling the story of Christ’s birth, Luke repeats the phrase “lying in a manger” to reveal the image of the holy infant. This was also the sign by which the angels told the shepherds they would recognize the child. In a world of poverty and hardship, Jesus lays himself down on the earth. In a few words, Luke shows us that the Christ child puts himself in the midst of our actual walk in life. At the same time, Luke shows us that as we walk through our troubled lives, we are also put in the midst of Gods love.
As we await Christmas, we live in the reality of this world. In society and in our various lives, there really are not that many occasions of joy. Rather, we go through life carrying with us our pain and sorrow. As long as we are alive, we cannot escape that reality. This is true for any generation. The shepherds who received the angel’s news were taking care of their sheep out in the fields. It was a dangerous existence, allowing for little sleep. Daily subsistence in poverty and hardship was their existence. Life was lived while dozing. They had many troubles and sleepless days. But in the midst of that mundane existence, an angel brought them news of great joy. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (ESV) This reveals the truth and sign of Christ’s birth.
Moreover, the singing of the host of angels right after the announcement was a great contrast to the sign. God’s tremendous glory was lying in a poor manger. There was no room, bed, or proper baby clothing. All that was available were a few cloths, some straw, and a simple manger from which animals fed. There, our Lord Jesus laid himself as a newborn baby and revealed that image of himself to us. If the angel’s announcement had not been made, no one would have noticed the birth of this small child. But this is the way the hand of God works to accomplish God’s work in our world. God dwells with us in the reality of our pain and poverty and warms us with the warmth of God’s life.
The following words come from the scriptures: “For unto you is born this day . . . a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” These words tell us of the work of salvation done through God’s hands, and they are the Gospel to be preached from that point on. Also, in the Apostles’ Creed, which we as a church confess, the crucifixion and resurrection are confessed, telling of the reality of God’s salvation.
In Luke’s gospel, where the nativity account is recorded, the word “returned” has many meanings attached to it. The angel Gabriel returned after announcing Jesus’ birth to Mary. After Mary stayed with Elizabeth, she returned. The angels who brought the news to the shepherds also returned. And the shepherds returned after beholding the holy infant in the manger. All of them accepted God’s will and returned. However, Jesus did not return to his throne but remained in the world with us. That Jesus continues to walk among us until he accomplishes the will of God. The joy of Christmas is to invite this person, Jesus, accept the salvation of God as our own, and give thanks for the joy of living in his love. Through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the reality of Immanuel and peace is manifest in our lives. (Tr. WJ)
「帰らない救い主」
ルカ2:1-20 佐々木美知夫（教団副議長・静岡教会牧師）
イ エス・キリストの降誕を告げるルカ伝の御言葉は「
クリスマスを迎える私たちはこの世の現実の中に生きています。
御言葉には「あなたがたのために救い主がお生まれになった。
ルカによる福音書の主イエス誕生の物語には「帰った」
43:21 わたしはこの民をわたしのために造った。彼らはわたしの栄誉を語らねばならない。
43:22 しかし、ヤコブよ、あなたはわたしを呼ばず／イスラエルよ、あなたはわたしを重荷とした。
43:23 あなたは羊をわたしへの焼き尽くす献げ物とせず／いけにえをもってわたしを敬おうとしなかった。わたしは穀物の献げ物のために／あなたを苦しめたことはない。乳香のために重荷を負わせたこともない。
43:24 あなたは香水萱をわたしのために買おうと／銀を量ることもせず／いけにえの脂肪をもって／わたしを飽き足らせようともしなかった。むしろ、あなたの罪のためにわたしを苦しめ／あなたの悪のために、わたしに重荷を負わせた。
43:25 わたし、このわたしは、わたし自身のために／あなたの背きの罪をぬぐい／あなたの罪を思い出さないことにする。
43:26 わたしに思い出させるならば／共に裁きに臨まなければならない。申し立てて、自分の正しさを立証してみよ。
43:27 あなたの始祖は罪を犯し／あなたを導く者らもわたしに背いた。
43:28 それゆえ、わたしは聖所の司らを汚し／ヤコブを絶滅に、イスラエルを汚辱にまかせた。
43:8 引き出せ、目があっても、見えぬ民を／耳があっても、聞こえぬ民を。
43:9 国々を一堂に集わせ、すべての民を集めよ。彼らの中に、このことを告げ／初めからのことを聞かせる者があろうか。自分たちの証人を立て、正しさを示し／聞く者に、そのとおりだ、と／言わせうる者があろうか。
43:10 わたしの証人はあなたたち／わたしが選んだわたしの僕だ、と主は言われる。あなたたちはわたしを知り、信じ／理解するであろう／わたしこそ主、わたしの前に神は造られず／わたしの後にも存在しないことを。
43:11 わたし、わたしが主である。わたしのほかに救い主はない。
43:12 わたしはあらかじめ告げ、そして救いを与え／あなたたちに、ほかに神はないことを知らせた。あなたたちがわたしの証人である、と／主は言われる。わたしは神
43:13 今より後も、わたしこそ主。わたしの手から救い出せる者はない。わたしが事を起こせば、誰が元に戻しえようか。
43:14 あなたたちを贖う方、イスラエルの聖なる神／主はこう言われる。わたしは、あなたたちのために／バビロンに人を遣わして、かんぬきをすべて下ろし／カルデア人を歓楽の船から引き下ろす。
43:15 わたしは主、あなたたちの聖なる神／イスラエルの創造主、あなたたちの王。
43:16 主はこう言われる。海の中に道を通し／恐るべき水の中に通路を開かれた方
43:17 戦車や馬、強大な軍隊を共に引き出し／彼らを倒して再び立つことを許さず／灯心のように消え去らせた方。
43:18 初めからのことを思い出すな。昔のことを思いめぐらすな。
43:19 見よ、新しいことをわたしは行う。今や、それは芽生えている。あなたたちはそれを悟らないのか。わたしは荒れ野に道を敷き／砂漠に大河を流れさせる。
43:20 野の獣、山犬や駝鳥もわたしをあがめる。荒れ野に水を、砂漠に大河を流れさせ／わたしの選んだ民に水を飲ませるからだ。
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