A Letter to Jesus on Christmas

Dear Jesus,

More than 2000 years ago, you came forth into this world, born of the Virgin Mother Mary, in a manger in Bethlehem . Poor shepherds welcomed you; Angels sang of your glorious coming; and three Wise Men offered their gifts.  

When you were born, the world was asleep. Little did it know that the King of Kings had come to bring the Good News, to save humankind from sin. You did not come to rule a kingdom on earth or to lead Israel to become the greatest of nations. Your birth was meant to rule the hearts of men, to show triumph over death.

Today, the world is far from ideal. There is poverty; there is war; there is suffering. There is unhappiness; there is helplessness; there is hopelessness. There is greed; there is exploitation; there is apathy.

More than ever, we seek you, Jesus, in these difficult and trying times. We ask you to fill the world with your love; to strengthen the bond within families; to warm our weary hearts.

Make us to be like the shepherds who left the flock to honor you, like the three wise men who set out on a long journey; like the angels who sang with their heavenly joy. They saw your lovely face and felt your holy presence – and they were changed. Change us, Jesus, to see the beauty of the Father’s creations in this world; to see your face in every human being we meet; to see your gifts within our lives.

As we celebrate your birthday, Jesus, we promise to take to heart your birth, your life, your death, so that we will in our appointed time, meet you with great enthusiasm face-to-face.

Happy Birthday, Jesus Christ.

Love Peace and Harmony,

Your Loving Children

by Mel Libre

HB, JC

Migrants who are new in a foreign land have mixed feelings especially during the Christmas season. Old traditions stick and the absence of time-honored customs can make one homesick and lonely. In New Zealand, for instance, carolers are rare, while fireworks are banned. Christmas parties in offices are limited to finger food and drinks without a program nor presentations, just people talking among each other – and no mention about the birth of Christ.

We (TawagAwit members) numbering 20 individuals went out caroling over the weekend in Auckland – and it was a joy to see our hosts (with family and friends) with wide smiles and singing along with us. The mother of Nida Gray, one of our hosts, even whispered to me how happy she was to see and hear us – for she sorely missed hearing traditional Filipino carols (which we put together in a medley).

The funds we have raised from the caroling will be spent for the Open Gathering, an event of giving, sharing, and caring. We intend not only to sing songs, but also share food and give away gifts to as many as possible. The new migrants are our special guests and we will ascertain that they will feel "at home" with the activities we have prepared.

When Joseph and Mary were looking for a place to rest, no one gave them decent space in Bethlehem. They settled in a manger where the King of Kings was born. "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7) We must approach Christmas with open doors, with giving hearts. As much as Christmas is about caring for those close to us, it is also about sharing what we have to the least of our brethren not just the poor, but also the unwanted, the forgotten, the unloved. Add to that the homesick and the lonely.‘As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever."’ (2 Corinthians 9:9)

As a gift to Jesus Christ on His birthday, let me offer this original song titled, HB, JC (Happy Birthday, Jesus Christ). It seemed not so long ago/That You were born in Bethlehem/Only a few came to know/Of that promised night so solemn// Sheltered in a manger/Cared for by Mary and Joseph/Welcomed by poor shepherds/As angels sang in worship// Chorus: Happy Birthday Jesus/You are the Father’s gift to humankind/Happy Birthday Jesus/You are the Light; You are Love Divine// Today we recall Your birth/You fill the weary world with love/With hope, charity and mirth/As You sit in the throne Above.

To all readers, my best Christmas wishes to you and your family!

by Mel Libre

Fight of Our Lives

Boxing is a sporting event that pits pugilists of the same weight class. The aim of the protagonists is to knock the other out, if not win points based on effective body shots on the opponent. In the predominantly Catholic nation of the Philippines, boxing is the second most popular sports next to basketball. While Philippine basketball continues to entertain a wider audience, it has failed to make a mark in the world and even in Asia. On the other hand, boxing has become a source of pride as Filipino boxers have become world champions (21 in all) from the time of Pancho Villa to the current toast - Manny Pacquiao.

For a long time, the shoeshine boy from Bogo, Cebu, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was the poster boy of Philippine boxing until Manny Pacquiao conquered the finest Mexican world champions with his speed and unorthodox style. The victory over lone US Barcelona Olympic boxing gold medallist and 10-time world champion Oscar de La Hoya has put Pacquiao among the greatest boxers of all time. He defied the odds by leaping into a higher weight class and challenging his idol. It was David fighting Goliath.

The taller and more experienced boxer was outclassed and gassed out– quitting before the ninth round could begin.  De La Hoya, with a battered face, got up from his stool walked to the center of the ring and congratulated Pacquiao who told him: “You’re still my idol.” The vanquished warrior responded: “No, you’re my idol.” The two fistic gladiators proved to be real gentlemen, true sportsmen.

Christians are like boxers inside the ring. God places us in this world for the fight of our lives. He provides us rules to ensure that we conduct ourselves with dignity and integrity. Who are our opponents? First is ourselves for we can be our own enemy. If we are weak in spirit and do not have faith in ourselves and in our God, we can easily be knocked down. Second is Satan who attacks us relentlessly with his powerful blows of temptation. He defies the rules set down and is bent on winning at all cost.  He seeks our souls as prize. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8)

But Satan is no match to us. While Pacquiao has the talented Freddie Roach as coach, we have the all-powerful Holy Spirit who guides and protects us from the jabs of the devil.  The Holy Spirit shieldsus from whatever punches and hooks thrown our way. In truth it is a mismatch of the highest degree. Against hate, we give love. Against greed, we share in charity. Against pride, we humble ourselves. Against lies, we reveal Truth.  The devil will be defeated.  “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

Our God gives us the strength, the confidence and the courage to knock Satan out of our lives.  We are meant to be God’s champions here on earth. We are meant to be given a prize worth more than US$11 million (the amount Pacquiao earned), more than fame and prestige, and more than what the world can offer: life everlasting in His Heavenly Kingdom. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. “ (Galatians 6:8)

by Mel Libre

The Invitation

As hosts of Sow&Harvest, a TawagAwit backyard gardening project, my entire family was kept busy during the week leading to the activity. We had a general clean up in the house, a bit of repainting outside, ground preparation for the garden plots, and planting of a few ornamental plants. Actually I went on official leave from work as I attended to the tasks including ironing so that no laundry would be left hanging as well as buying items to be cooked for the guests. My wife, Debbie, slept late the day before the activity and woke up at dawn to prepare her best recipes.

We started to get worried though as the table was all set and the food were steaming hot, yet our invited brethren had not arrived. Thirty minutes past 12 noon, we felt relieved as they started arriving. When all of the praying, eating, singing, planting, and socialising were done – and the guests had left, Debbie and I were thankful for the wonderful company and joyful experience we had with our guests. All our preparation had not gone in vain.

The mass is God’s banquet. He extends his invitation for us to take part in the Eucharistic celebration. So much effort is exerted in the preparation for the event. Other than the tidying of the church, the parish priest or his assistants give assignments to altar servers, readers and other workers. The printing of the parish newsletter; the encoding of prayers, responses and songs to be projected on the screen; the rehearsals of the choir; and the technical support are among the many things done prior to the singing of the gathering song. The priest needs to write the sermon; observes important pre-missal rituals; and celebrates the mass.

God, therefore, looks forward to His children attending the banquet.. "When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’" (Luke 14:17) When we partake of the body and blood of Christ during the Communion, the Lord fills us with His peace, love and joy. "When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)

One of the important commandments of the Church is "to keep the Sundays and Holy Days of obligation holy, by hearing Mass and resting from servile work." It is consistent to the passage: "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." (Genesis 2:3) Let us therefore mark our calendars and diaries for that important date with God each week. His Son Jesus is the sacrificial lamb – and if we fail to come, we will have shunned the grace that cleanses the soul.

by Mel Libre