EMMANUEL, God with us. Indeed, He can be with us every moment of our lives if we invite Him to dwell in us.
God, who made heaven and earth, created us in His likeness to be with Him forever in Heaven, unveiled His face to man on the first Christmas.
Lo and behold: God looks like us!
“Jesus assumed our nature . . . that by becoming man, He might make men gods,” wrote Saint Thomas Aquinas in the Angelic Doctor in Summa Theological.
But consumerism had programmed men about the false ideas of happiness on Christmas, the want for the best wordly things which leave them sulking in unfulfillment.
And every year more earthly goods and services crowd God out of Christmas. But every year, too, the angels herald the same message: Glory to God, man’s duty and God’s promise; peace on earth to men of goodwill.
This is the wonder, the recurring message of Christmas, the joy and reasons for the season.
Welcome Christ at Christmas.
The following are reflections about Christmas by members of the Secular Institute of the Two Hearts (SITH), Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (LIHM) and Secular Male Institute of the Two Hearts (SMITH) who are students of the Mater Redemptoris College, Laguna).
Spiritual rebirth
EVERY year people spend so much money and considerable effort in planning for a grand Christmas celebration. Conversely, they allocate meager resources to share with the poor, and negligent effort preparing for a spiritual rebirth to celebrate the season.
Indeed, this is the season to truly decipher the reasons for the season.
Christmas is celebrated because it is the birthday of Jesus. His birth made possible our redemption and salvation. For His merciful love, we rejoice and celebrate.
Unfortunately, man has taken for granted the true meaning of Christmas. Instead of being consumed by the spirit of Christ, man is engulfed by the spirit of consumerism. Absorbed by the sights and sounds of modernism, Jesus is the birthday boy the world seems to forget.—Sis Ma. Clara Lisone, SITH
‘Venite Adoremus’
ENCHANTED by the magic of Christmas, most people recall the fondest when they were children. Mine was at the age of 18.
This was my first Christmas away from family and friends. It was not Christmassy—no fancy clothes, no presents, no parties and without my favorite foods.
Detached and away from all the superfluity of a commercial world, it dawned on me that Baby Jesus is the real reason for the season. Finally, He had room to rest in my heart!
The little child as He is, He filled me with true peace, joy and love, which I had yearned for. The greatest gift made truly present.
Only after entering religious life did I see the immense value of God’s gift—Himself and His awesome love for me.
A love personified in the Infant Child 2,000 years ago, given to me in completeness in the Holy Eucharist every day.
Venited Adoremus! O come let us adore Him!—Sis. Mary Lawrence Nicolas, LIHM
Love others
AS a child, I used to anticipate eagerly the season of Advent.
I was aware there would be plenty of candies, chocolates, gifts, parties and food.
Now as a religious, I am more excited during the season, but not for the same reason. I no longer crave for wordly pleasures.
I realized that Advent is all about Jesus, who was born on a holy night in a lowly manger to save me from my sins and iniquities.
The real spirit of Christmas is to see Christ in others, treat them as we would treat the Lord who celebrates His birthday.
Jesus Christ gave Himself to us. It is time for us to reciprocate the love He gives us every day.
Love for others is the greatest gift we can offer, for it is also the greatest gift He gave us.—Bro. Om Shanti M. Sebastian, SMITH
Season of consolation
SO embedded is the spirit of Christmas among Filipinos that it starts with the Ber-months.
There is a magical feeling that prevails. There is the feelings of love, joy, concern and gratefulness, despite the wordly atmosphere.
Filipinos, too, become more generous to share the blessings and graces they received from God. Christmas is the season of consolation—a much sought-for respite from tribulations and difficulties in life.
God gifts man with consolation to encourage him to persevere the hardships in living and revitalize his faith; to appreciate God’s graces which often come to man as crosses—blessings in disguise.
It is the season to give thanks and praise God, by taking a human form to redeem us.—Bro. Daryl T. Deloso, SMITH
Hope for salvation
THE world eagerly opts to depict the greatest scene—the Nativity, a scene where the superhero Himself made an extraordinary way to save the world. A script where no one would dare follow.
A series of scenes no one likes to truly duplicate. The superhero was neither Superman nor Wolverine who defeated the villains by strength of body, but with humility of spirit, indomitable endurance for suffering and boundless love for His creatures.
He is not a famous character like Santa Claus, but simply a supporting cast who was left to suffer alone by His companions whom He chose to be His apostles.
He is not the One the world appreciates and honors after 2,000 years. Although He is the reason men celebrate Christmas.
Ironically the though, He, Jesus the Redeemer, symbolizes the very hope of man’s salvation. The hope that someday, we will all find our way to God—the reason why we celebrate Christmas.—Bro. Aaron de Ocampo, SMITH
Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education-National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris College, Laguna.
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons