Gospel: Luke 2:1-14
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of
Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed,
who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her
child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling
clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the
inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the
fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord
appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold,
I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born
for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find
an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly
there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and
saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his
favor rests.”
Nowadays, many people are fond of shortcuts—even the solemn celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has not been spared. For example, many of us use the greeting “Merry X-Mas” instead of “Merry Christmas.” What does this signify? It may signify that we are slowly losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas is not about material things. Christmas is about the great and selfless love of God for us. This love should not remain hidden in our hearts; we are called to express it through our words and actions. When we do this, Christ’s love becomes alive and visible through us.
If it so happens that we encounter a poor stranger, what would we do? Would we simply stand by and remain indifferent to his or her needs? As followers of Christ, we must not be insensitive. We are called to do something—to extend Christ’s love and blessings to others. In this way, we pay forward the true essence and grace of Christmas, which is the birth of our Savior.
Each year, the celebration of Jesus’ birth should also be the rebirth of Christ’s love in our hearts. And this selfless love must not be kept to ourselves. We are called to plant it in the hearts of others by becoming blessings to them, trusting that this love will bear abundant fruit in their lives.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us ask ourselves: Is the Christ who was born in Bethlehem truly being born again in our hearts—and is His love clearly seen in the way we live and care for one another? — Marino J. Dasmarinas
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