The look of Christmas

Question: How would Adam have greeted Eve on the day before Christmas?
Answer: “It’s Christmas, Eve.”

It’s Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas Day. But Christmas is not just a day. It is a spirit that we carry with us all throughout the year. May the Christmas spirit of hope, peace, joy and love be with us all today and every single day of our journey.

In today’s Gospel (Lk. 1, 26-38), we hear how the “yes” of a simple woman made the first Christmas happen. She could have said “no.” She could have said “maybe.” She could have said “yes, but…” Her “yes” to the Lord was total and unconditional. We thank and honor Mary. Let us stay close to her so that we can truly know and love Jesus. Who else but a mother who would truly know and love her child.

Merry Christmas to all! But more than a “Merry Christmas,” I wish you all a “Mary Christmas!” More than “Happy Holidays!” I wish you all Happy Holy Days.

How you feel at Christmas depends a lot on how you went through Advent. All the outward preparations are nice but Christmas is not just about being cozy, and merry, and nice. At the heart of Christmas is the heart. Without the heart, Christmas is empty, expensive, stressful, and burdensome, leaving us exhausted and tired, instead of making us fulfilled and inspired.

Amidst the chores, the rush, and the traffic, a Christmas moment happened last Thursday, Dec. 21. Caught in traffic at the South Luzon Expressway, I looked up, and there was a rainbow!

A full rainbow over Metro Manila, reminding us of God’s all-embracing presence and love. Find time to look up!

Look up! Find time to remove your sight from your gadget, from your bank books, from your gifts. Smile to God, and say “Thanks, Lord! Thank You for Christmas! Thank You I am still alive!”

Look around you! There are so many beggars and peddlers this time of the year. As if on cue, they bloom everywhere in our streets, reminding our hearts what Christmas really is all about. It is never too late to give, to share, to forgive, and to care.

Look beside you! The people you love, and who love you may not be with you anymore next Christmas. Do not postpone your love and appreciation for them. Do not take them for granted. No regrets that you have loved too little, or too late.

Look inside you! What’s in your heart? What or who do you need to let go from your heart? What or who do you need to let in your heart? Christmas is all about a fresh start and new beginnings, for our Savior has come to dwell among us. Indeed, what does it profit us if we gain the whole world, and lose our peace, and our very soul?

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son…” (Jn. 3, 16). That’s what Christmas is all about. Today, say “God so loved (your name) that He sent His only begotten Son!” Let us also remind each other: “God so loved (name of the person) that He sent His only begotten Son!” Let us feel the love, and share the love of this God who is in love, and got involved with us.

Let me end with the line of a beautiful Tagalog song, with God offering Christmas to us, telling each one of us: “Paano ang Paskong alay ko sa iyo (How about Christmas that I am offering to you)?” This moment, may we all whisper to Him: “Thank You Lord for Your love. Thank You for Christmas!” But sad to say, for some people, this song goes like this: “Paano ang Pasko… Malay ko sa iyo (Christmas? What do I care)!”

A moment with the Lord:
Lord, thank You for loving us. Thank
You for giving us Your only begotten Son. Thank You for giving us hope, peace, joy
and love. Amen.