The Center of Christmas

In spite of lack of sleep last night, I had manage to attend the evening mass for Christmas eve. The priest's homily is about what is Christmas all about. For the kids or the new generation now, they think Christmas as a time of receiving gifts and wearing new clothes. In addition to that, in Filipino tradition, kids go to their Godparents to kiss their hands and will receive a gift from them. This is what they think and exercise every Christmas day. But last night the priest emphasized what is the true meaning of Christmas.

Yes, Christmas is the time to be jolly and be merry. A time to give what you can to the less fortunate or to the person that you would like to give a gift to. It's the time of the year, once a year to spread the laughter and joy as the cool air touches our faces. But this is the time of the year that we recall the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As the Three Kings saw the bright star over at Bethlehem and followed it, they knew that our Lord is born. Born in the stable and lay-ed down in a manger with Joseph, Mary and the animals. Christmas is the birth date of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is born to save us from our sins and bring us into salvation.

Christmas is not about receiving but giving what we can give. Not material things but what is in our hearts that we can truly and whole hearted give. As God has given us a very special gift not wrapped in a fancy gift wrapper but wrapped in a simple white cloth. Thus born the baby Jesus that was given to us as a gift from God. God that is thoughtful and caring that He has given us a very special gift. This time of the year is also the time that we gave thanks to God. Jesus Christ the center of Christmas is a symbol that we can reflect upon and check within ourselves if we have Christmas in us...

Have a Merry Christmas!
Hanukkah to our Jewish friends!