The story is told about a man who required from all persons wanting to receive a Christmas gift from him the following: NSO (National Statistics Office) birth certificate; baptismal certificate; biodata and four pictures with red background; medical certificate; police and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance; and a letter of request for a Christmas gift, to be submitted not later than Dec. 20, 2013. No compliance with the requirements, no gift!
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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 1,18-24), we hear of the unconditional obedience of two people who made Christmas happen—Joseph and Mary. They had much doubts and fears when they were told of God’s incredible plan, but, in faith, they obeyed. Their “yes” to the Father’s divine plan and will was total and unconditional. Against all odds, against all human logic, they just believed. How deep is our faith, our belief in God?
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Through Joseph and Mary, we also see the deep faith of God in us His creatures. He allowed His divine plan to be conditioned by the response of two human beings. Christmas is an affirmation of God’s belief in human goodness, and His confidence in us as partners in His work of redemption.
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The genealogy of Jesus (Mt. 1, 1-17) is one of the longest, and, if I may say, unexciting, Mass readings every Dec. 17. A lot of people doze off at the dawn Mass when the list of strange-sounding names is read from the beginning till the end. And many of those people mentioned were not saints! But from them came forth the Savior. Again it speaks of God’s faith in us, His lowly and sinful creatures, and His confidence that something good will come out of seemingly hopeless situations.
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The Christmas tree put up by the people of Tacloban some days ago from the debris left by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” with a lighted star at the top is a beautiful picture of the real meaning of Christmas. May we never lose hope. May we never give up on our own goodness and resiliency.
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Christmas is about cheers, amidst our fears and tears. The greatest story ever told is about a God who so loved the world that He sent His only Son (Jn. 3, 16) to live among men. If God loves us that much, then we should let go of our fears and tears. If God loves us, then we should love Him in return. And if God loves us, it means that we are loved, that we are loveable, that we should love one another as brothers and sisters, and that we should not give them fears and tears. Cheers!
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The story of Christmas, the greatest story ever told, must be told and retold again and again, from generation to generation. The complete story must be told! I heard that there is a school in the United States that deleted from the song “Silent Night” the words “Holy Infant” and “Jesus” so as not to offend others of different religions. Furthermore, there are those who remove Christ from the greeting “Merry Christmas” (thus “Merry X’mas”) or simply remove Christ altogether from the season (thus “Happy holidays”).
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The best way to tell the story is to live the story. Yes, may we all become living and walking Christmas persons, the whole year round. Mary Christmas, everyone!
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A Christmas moment came to me one morning when an 80-year-old woman called me and asked me just to pray with her one “Hail Mary.” She had such a soft, lonely voice, and she made her request in such a humble way. We prayed together very slowly, very lovingly, one “Hail Mary,” in tears. It meant so much to her and it meant so much to me to pray one “Hail Mary” with someone who was sick, hurting, and lonely. There are many people like her around us this Christmas.
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Another Christmas moment for me was when an ex-priest came for confession. He had messed up his life, and now he lives alone, abandoned by his own children, with no place to stay, and no prospect of work in the sunset years of his life. I wish I could have given him financial help aside from the blessings and prayers he asked for. He said he would hold on to the Lord no matter what. Hope. Let us continue to hope, and to give hope.
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I am praying that in spite of everything, Christmas will be beautiful and meaningful for us, and that in our own little way, we will somehow make Christmas beautiful and meaningful for others, too. Yes, let’s all make Christmas happen.
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The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines has endorsed the movie “Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir,” which will be shown at different theaters starting on Christmas Day. It’s a very edifying and inspiring story for all, especially the youth, to see.
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Think about it: There were people who were with us last Christmas, and are no longer with us this Christmas. And there are people who are with us this Christmas who may no longer be with us next Christmas. It could be their, or our, last Christmas. So why don’t we make it the best Christmas ever, with God, with our loved ones, with our people, with ourselves. Godblessmile!
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to be a Christmas maker especially this Christmas, and all throughout the New Year. Amen.