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It is Christmas Eve and everyone is in a festive mood. All work has
come to an end. Those still on the job cannot focus very much
because the country is on holiday. The last minute shoppers are
rushing to wrap gifts. Those who are not yet with their families are
doing what they can do to get home for Christmas.
In the midst of all the movement is a baby, the
Christ Child. Let’s face it, we get so distracted by everything
that is happening around us that we forget that Christmas without
Christ is merely a pagan celebration, a wonderful time to celebrate
with our loved ones. The gift giving makes us feel good even if many
of us buy things that are not truly needed.
It is a time when we eat too much, drink too
much and pray too little. I don’t want to sound preachy, but the
truth is that Christmas (the word Christmas means Christ’s mass)
is about God coming to us in the flesh. It is about God loving us so
intensely that He takes on our nature, all the while remaining God,
in order to better connect with us. And He does this because He
loves us beyond our wildest imaginings.
The celebrations are all well and good, and the
occasion calls for us to pay special attention to that time two
thousand years ago when God became flesh. But we must not be so
immature spiritually to forget the true meaning of Christmas which
is all about Christ, the Lord.
Those who do not believe will, of course, see
the day as just another break from work, a time to make merry. Those
of us who believe, however, need to keep the day in proper
perspective. We must not be like little kids who are playing outside
during a party without knowing what the celebration is all about.
By all means, we should have fun, enjoy,
celebrate this great feast day, but in the midst of it all, we must
not forget the Christ Child. Like mature people, we need to be in a
thankful mood. We must remember to thank the Christ for His coming
and appreciate the significance of this momentous happening.
If you have problems about drugs, alcohol and
behavior/attitude call my office at 820-6107 or 825-1771 or e-mail
me at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box 2099 MCPO, Makati
City.
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