“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)
In the different cultural traditions and in all great religions of the world, it is only in Christianity that God became man and lived among the people. And this God, who is the Son of God, was born in a manger in the town of Bethlehem in Palestine more than 2,000 years ago.
The Son of God was born of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph from the House of David. The Son of God was called Jesus, he is the Emmanuel (God with us). And this event is called Christmas, which simply means the Nativity or Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father.
Thus, the followers of Jesus, the Christ (the anointed) are called Christians and every year, Christians all over the world celebrate with joyful festivities and remember this saving act of God when He allowed His only Son to be born, thus restoring and reconnecting man’s relationship with God.
Celebrating Christmas is celebrating God’s love for humanity. Christmas is preceded by the Advent season. Advent season culminates on Christmas Day, which follows the Christmas season. Christmas is one of the great feasts of the Church (the others are Easter and Pentecost). It is the highlight of a long wait during the Advent season. Christmas is when the Word became flesh, thus the Incarnation of the Word, who is Jesus, is celebrated.
Aside from the blessings and graces one receives from God through our spiritual preparations in the Advent season, Christmas is a joyful event for all believers. We wait for this event to celebrate the love of God through Jesus, the Savior of humankind.
What are the “should haves” during the Christmas season? We see, experience and enjoy, the external signs and symbols of the season including Christmas trees and lights, Santa Claus, gifts, parties, bonuses and cash gifts, among others. Aside from these externals, however, personal spiritual enrichment, and familial and community growth and development are the more meaningful and lasting ones.
Everyone has an unforgettable Christmas experience to share. It may be that one Christmas in the past where all the members of the family were present and were celebrating together. Today, many Filipino families are breaking up because of migration, a parent or sibling may have gone abroad to work, or that a marriage may have ended. Being together during this season is a priceless treasure indeed especially since Christmas is a time to be with one’s family.
Still, many remain focused on what gifts to give and what gifts to expect. Remember, gifts are not asked, they are offered in love. They are freely given and willingly shared. God always gives us gifts: life, love, family, health, prosperity, success, dream, peace, beauty, friendship, hope, freedom, support, faith, and many more. We are recipients of God’s generosity and kindness, of God’s fidelity and love.
What do we have to offer and give in return? Our love. Our praise and thanksgiving. Our availability and dedication. Living according to God’s standard is our best gift this season. How can we repay the goodness of God? We can’t. But we can do something in our own little ways and with the simple things we give in love.
We are still mourning the hundreds of lives that perished when Typhoon Sendong struck Northern Mindanao (particularly Cagayan de Oro and Iligan) and Western Visayas (Dumaguete). A number are still missing, families remain homeless, properties have been destroyed, and communities have been erased beyond description.
During these times, let us cling to hope and pray for the eternal rest of those who died, and offer consolation to the bereaved families. They are all remembered in our daily Masses and prayers.
The human spirit shall ignite and dare us to stand up and lead in the rebuilding of our families and communities. This is what we have as a people. The human spirit allows us to feel hope and this brings out the best in us: the Filipino spirit of “bayanihan” and “malasakit.” Filipinos are “mga bayani na may malasakit sa bayan,” (a people of heroes who have compassion for his/her country).
As a people of hope, saved by Jesus the Messiah, let us journey together as one people and one nation especially in this moment of grief and wailing. No matter how bleak and seemingly hopeless a situation may be, we have Jesus, the light of the world, as John the Baptist had proclaimed. Jesus the Prince of Peace and the Hope of all Hopes. This Christmas season, let us pause, stand up and walk for “the journey is still long.” With zealous hearts we take the path to peace and the fullness of life. Remember, the star of Bethlehem was a star of peace and hope.
May the love of God purify everyone and abundantly enrich every Christian family as the birth of Christ is joyfully remembered and revisited. May the Incarnate Word transform us in love and hope. May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless us and all the people we meet on the way.
This is our gift to God and to our countrymen…our hope and our “hoping against all hopes.”
Merry Christmas!
