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It’s
Christmas in a couple of days or so, and in this issue,
I share with you the inspiring Christmas messages of our
dear Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, whom we fondly call
“Lolo Dency,” and our new Nuncio, Archbishop Edward
Adams.
Christmas is for the poor, hungry, and in need
“For a
Child is born to us, a Son is given us;
Upon His
shoulder dominion rests.
They
name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah
9:5
The
words of the Prophet Isaiah spring up like sparkling
stars in this our Season of Great Joy, Christmas. This
is the message of Christmas, the birth of our Savior,
the Son of the Father, the Word made Flesh, who came to
us to be with us, like us except in sin, to redeem us.
No other message can bring us utmost joy.
Looking
around us today, we can easily lose sight of the true
meaning of Christmas. For many, the season is simply a
time for gift-giving and festivities, a time for getting
together and merrymaking. We are surrounded by tinsel
and bright lights, colorful decorations that hide
poverty, hunger and want. Bedazzled by all this, we can
fail to realize that the celebration of Christmas is not
for those who are full and satisfied with the world’s
goods, but for those who are poor, hungry and in need.
Christmas is for them because it is to them that Jesus
brings His Hope and His Love, in a special way.
Let
this, and every Christmas, be about loving one another,
but most especially about loving those who are poor, who
have nothing, but their hope in God’s love and
providence. Let this love be the source of our joy this
Christmas.
A
blessed Christmas to all!
+
Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales
Archbishop of Manila
There
are deeper reasons for Christmas joy
Christmas brings with it joy, peace and happiness to
those who hear the message of the angels proclaiming,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to
those whom God loves.” Joy is something that is
associated with Christmas, but it is not simply the joy
that comes from a day of festivities. There are deeper
reasons for Christmas joy.
The good
news of Christmas is the Incarnation, God becoming man.
God has become one of us for a definite purpose: to save
what is good in us and to free us from what can ruin us.
God became a man, so that we might become like God: men
and women who are new, reborn to a life open to God and
His will, sensitive to the needs of others. What is the
joy that all celebrate at Christmas if it is not to know
that God is near us, at our side.
On
Christmas morning, our God comes to us with a smile and
with the tenderness of a little baby. And He comes not
just for a brief visit, but to stay with us. He is
Emmanuel, the God who is with us, and for us.
This is
the reason for our joy and peace. As St. Leo the Great
said, “There is no place for sadness on the day on which
life itself has been born.”
With
these sentiments, I extend my heartfelt Christmas and
New Year wishes to all.
+ Edward
J. Adams
Apostolic Nuncio in the
Philippines
With these messages, the entire family of Caritas Manila
and Radio Veritas 846 wishes all of you a blessed
Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Our deepest and
sincerest gratitude to those who extended their time,
talent and treasure to the programs of Caritas Manila
for the poor.
For comments/feedback: e-mail: caritas_manila@yahoo.com;
for donations to Caritas Manila: 563-9311; and for
inquiries: 563-9308 and 563-9298; Fax: 563-9306. |
