Christmas Reflection

When I was in the college seminary, our class would usually go for caroling at the start of Christmas break. There was a song whose lines run like this: “Christmas is not about Santa Claus. It’s about Jesus the Savior of the world.” This is true but I have not found a Christmas without the image of Santa Claus either in Christmas trees, gift wrappers or wall decors. We even enjoy watching someone impersonating Santa just like we experienced during our Christmas party with the indigent children. We usually associate his presence with gift giving and receiving. But how relevant is Santa Claus in our celebration of Christmas? At the extreme some fundamentalists associate him with paganism. On the other extreme, perhaps he is the commercialized image of St. Nicholas whose feast the church commemorates on December 6. But either explanation is not so vital. What could be more important are the values and attitudes we associate with his image. I am comfortable at imagining Santa Claus as a very generous person or any person who is always willing to give something to those in need.

The spirit of Christmas as shared by the majority opinion is found in giving. The desire to give at Christmas is embedded in our tradition. Reflecting further on giving, a model par excellence can be found by gazing towards that person who is the central figure and whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Jesus Christ is not only the giver but he is the gift himself. Such is the most amazing act of giving, a form of giving one’s life out of love. He says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). He has demonstrated this love on the cross. Thus, by looking at the face of Jesus in the manger, one could discover the link with Christ crucified. The Lord chose to share with our humanity by being born in that poor condition. Is it not an act raising our dignity that the Son of God is born as human to redeem humanity on the cross?

In the midst of merry-making during Christmas, I could not find any excuse to disregard what actually happened to that child born in the manger. The message of giving is best illustrated if the whole life of Jesus is considered.

As a follower of Christ, I must be moved by his love to become generous of myself. But how could I give a good reason for expecting to receive Christmas gifts when I am not the one celebrating the birthday? In our culture we practice giving presents to a birthday celebrant. Contemplating at Jesus born in a manger, I feel sad not to have anything to give as present. Unlike the three magi, I have no gift to bring. Oh Lord, what can I give you this Christmas?

If I will have to celebrate Christmas, it would be just like celebrating anyone’s birthday. Now, therefore, there is an urgent longing deep inside of me to give presents. I am drawn towards the example of the One whose birth we celebrate. But I don’t have possessions worthy as a gift. There is no more I can do than to allow myself to become the gift as the love of Jesus challenges me to be. In that sense, the offerer becomes the offering himself. I may not be able to lay down my life, although not impossible. But self-offering could mean self-dedication and faithfulness to my vocation. It could also be an act of offering oneself to the Lord through self-sacrifice and perseverance.

Therefore, celebrating Christmas is an opportune time to renew my commitment to the Lord. Jesus has set an example of self-giving. Now, it is my turn to emulate such way of giving so that an exchange of gifts may take place. As friends carry out exchanging gifts during Christmas, may I be able to exchange gifts with the Lord. The Lord has accomplished his part. Right now I am challenged to do my turn.

Advent Reflection

In the catholic liturgy, advent is a season at the beginning of the calendar towards Christmas. I understood advent as a time of preparation for Christmas, the celebration commemorating Jesus’ coming on earth, and also it encourages us to prepare for His second coming. But the significance of advent in our local catholic community has always been surpassed by the pompous and festive mood in anticipating Christmas day. Even before advent season we already hear yuletide carols in the air. Well, this could be justified by saying that it is a way of preparing for Christmas. This could be the way of setting the atmosphere so that one may be disposed at rejoicing for the Lord’s coming. But at this moment of putting Christmas decors and lights, singing Christmas carols, and having Christmas parties, can we find the ambiance of preparation by way of vigilance, repentance and conversion? Perhaps for a few, who spend time in having advent recollection or just having a pure conviction of the meaning of advent, preparation is worthwhile.

During this season, John the Baptist is placed at the limelight. The forerunner declares, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! … Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Matthew 3:2-3). This prophetic message reverberates in every corner of the Church whether it is listened to or not. As the Church re-echoes the call of Jesus’ precursor, I asked myself, how do I heed to this call? There are only four days to go before Christmas day and yet I could not consider myself fully prepared. But there is still a chance and I feel the Lord is not tired of giving chances. Preparation must be done constantly. Thus, I am grateful for the Lord’s inspiration in having this advent reflection. I come to the realization that preparing for the Lord’s coming is not just during the season of advent but in everyday of my life. The call of the prophet of advent is a reminder or a sort of wake-up call for the heart that has been insensitive through the years. Now is the chance to regain the vigilant and joyful anticipation of coming face to face with the Lord.

Looking back to the glitters and sounds that the secular world propagates during advent, I found myself annoyed. But on second thought, I realized that these things could be used to awaken the religious imagination. It is just on my disposition and way of understanding that the glamorous things related to Christmas could be considered as reminders. These things are pointing towards commemorating the Lord’s birth that is no less detached from his second coming. These two comings are clearly elucidated during advent. But I expect a third one which I feel could be the most meaningful at the present moment of my life. Such is Christ’s coming into my heart.

I wish for a renewed appreciation of advent. Preparing for the celebration of the Lord’s birth is valuable. Relatively of higher value is the preparation for the Lord’s second coming which nobody knows when to happen. But the most ardent is the expectation of His coming into one’s heart. Thus, preparing the heart to be the Lord’s dwelling place is indispensable. The Lord always knocks at the door of each heart and he is waiting for anyone who is ready to let him in. This heart must be prepared, be cleansed and be made level so that the One who is to come is welcomed in a noble dwelling. Thus, I pray, “Come, Lord Jesus! Take birth in my heart and create this heart to be your dwelling place.”