Reflection for Sunday December 29 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Luke 2:41-52

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 

Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

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Reflection:

A child was adopted by a childless couple. As he grew, they treated him as their own. They taught him about the faith, disciplined him, and regularly brought him to church for Holy Mass.

When he was fourteen years old, his biological parents approached his adoptive parents to take him back. The couple who adopted him asked if he was willing to return to his biological family, but the child chose to stay with his adoptive family.

What made the child choose his adoptive family over his biological parents? It was the parental love and discipline he experienced, as well as the strong foundation of faith they instilled in him. These important family values were also provided by Mary and Joseph to the twelve-year-old Jesus.

The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph instilled in the young mind of Jesus the importance of love, discipline, and church worship. That is why they frequently brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem for the yearly Feast of Passover. They both wanted the young Jesus to grow into a God-centered man rather than a man focused on worldly matters.

In these social media-driven times, many parents are forgetting the crucial responsibility of instilling the basics of faith in their children’s hearts. They often prioritize material things over bringing their children to church for worship. What kind of children are we raising if we neglect our parental duty to teach them about our faith and fail to bring them to church for worship?

As a result, we raise children who do not know how to respect their parents. We raise children who view sex without any sense of sacredness. These scenarios are real and are happening today for the simple reason that some parents neglect their fundamental duty to introduce their children to God.

The Feast of the Holy Family is a wake-up call for all of us. It reminds us to prioritize God above all else in this world. It calls us to worship God at church as a family and to teach our children about our faith. As parents, we are meant to be the first catechists and faith formators of our children.

Before children go to church for Holy Mass, it is assumed that they have already been taught the fundamentals of our faith within the domestic church, which is none other than our own home.

Let us, therefore, emulate the holy family life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Let us follow the unconditional love of Mary and Joseph, and imitate how they lovingly cared for the young Jesus. Let us also emulate how they brought the child Jesus to the temple to worship God.

Do you raise your child the way Jesus was raised by Joseph and Mary? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Disyembre 29 Kapistahan ng Banal na Mag-anak nina Jesus, Maria at Jose: Lucas 2:41-52

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 2:41-52

Taun-taon, tuwing pista ng Paskuwa, ang mga magulang ni Hesus ay pumupunta ng Jerusalem. At nang labindalawang taon na siya, pumaroon sila gaya ng dati nilang ginagawa. Pagkatapos ng pista, sila’y umuwi na. Nagpaiwan si Hesus sa Jerusalem ngunit hindi ito napansin ng kanyang mga magulang. 

Sa pag-aakala ng isa na si Hesus ay kasama ng isa, nagpatuloy sila sa maghapong paglalakbay. Nang malaman nilang hindi siya kasama, siya’y hinanap nila sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at kakilala. Hindi nila siya matagpuan, kaya’t bumalik sila sa Jerusalem upang doon hanapin. 

At nang ikatlong araw, natagpuan nila si Hesus sa loob ng templo, nakaupong kasama ng mga guro. Nakikinig siya sa kanila at nagtatanong; at ang lahat ng nakarinig sa kanya ay namangha sa kanyang katalinuhan. Nagtaka rin ang kanyang mga magulang nang siya’y makita. 

Sinabi ng kanyang ina, “Anak, bakit naman ganyan ang ginawa mo sa amin? Balisang-balisa na kami ng iyong ama sa paghahanap sa iyo.” Sumagot siya, “Bakit po ninyo ako hinahanap? Hindi ba ninyo alam na ako’y dapat na nasa bahay ng aking Ama?” Ngunit hindi nila naunawaan ang pananalitang ito. 

Siya’y umuwing kasama nila sa Nazaret, at naging isang masunuring anak. Ang lahat ng bagay na ito ay iningatan ng kanyang ina sa kanyang puso. Patuloy na lumaki si Hesus. Umunlad ang kanyang karunungan at lalong kinalugdan ng Diyos at ng mga tao.

Reflection for Saturday December 28 Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs: Matthew 2:13-18

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. 

He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. 

He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.

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Reflection:

Do you believe in angels? 

What if Joseph did not listen to the command of the angel of the Lord? 

The child Jesus would have been killed by the minions  of King Herod. But Joseph was a good, humble and obedient man of the Lord.  So, he listened and in the process he helped save the life of the child Jesus. 

Angels who act as messengers of God abound in this world and they are not only the winged ones anymore. Many are humans like us who would always advise us to avoid doing what is not good and sinful. Or they would advise us to do good always even if others are not doing good to them. Therefore, we have to listen because if we would not listen we would eventually be in a problematic situation.  

As Saint Joseph listened to the command of the angel of the Lord, we too must listen to the wisdom-filled advice given to us by people who have nothing but concern and love for us. Since it is through listening and acting on what we have heard that we can be spared from many problems.

Do you always listen to meaningful advice or counsel? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Disyembre 28, Kapistahan ng mga Banal na Sanggol na Walang Kamalayan, mga martir: Mateo 2:13-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 2:13-18

Pagkaalis ng mga Pantas, napakita kay Jose sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sinabi sa kanya, "Magbangon ka, dalhin mo agad sa Egipto ang mag-ina. At huwag kayong aalis doon hangga't hndi ko sinasabi sa iyo. Sapagkat hahanapin ni Herodes ang sanggol upang patayin." 

Kaya dali-daling bumangon si Jose at nang gabing iyo'y dinala sa Egipto ang mag-ina. Doon sila tumira hanggang mamatay si Herodes. Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng propeta, "Tinawag ko ang aking Anak mula sa Egipto." 

Galit na galit si Herodes nang malamang siya'y napaglalangan ng mga Pantas. Kaya't ipinapatay niya ang mga batang lalaki sa Betlehem at mga palibot na pook-- lahat na may gulang na dalawang taon pababa, alinsunod sa paglitaw ng tala na natiyak niyang sa mga Pantas.  

Sa gayo'y natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Jeremias: "Narinig sa Rama ang malakas na panaghoy. Tinatangisan ni Raquel ang kanyang mga anak. Hindi siya maaliw sa tindi ng kalungkutan dahil sa pagkamatay nila."

Reflection for Friday December 27 Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist: John 20:1a, 2-8

Gospel: John 20:1a, 2-8

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” 

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.  They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 

When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

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Reflection:

Who is the disciple that Jesus loved most? Of course it’s John the apostle whose feast we celebrate today. Among many other reasons, John is the beloved apostle because he remained with Jesus until His death on the cross.  

 John never left Jesus, he stood for Jesus and was never afraid to show his fidelity to Him. John showed the mettle of his faith in Jesus by remaining with Him until the end. This is perhaps the reason why he is called the beloved disciple of Jesus.  

Many times in our lives we also profess our love for Jesus. But when temptation comes along we oftentimes choose to be tempted rather than remain loyal to Jesus. This is primarily the reason why many of us live complicated and chaotic lives. 

What if we try to be loyal to Jesus, what would be the effect of it in our life? If we would be loyal to Jesus we would avoid self-inflected problems and we will not fear whatever that may come to us. Why is this so? The reason behind is we choose to be faithful to our God and we never betrayed Him no matter how attractive the temptations.  

Why do you allow temptation to capture you? If your answer is, 'Because of human frailties,' that is the shallowest reason, as human frailties can always be overcome by strong faith. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Thursday December 26 Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr: Matthew 10:17-22

Gospel: Matthew 10:17-22

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  

Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

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Reflection:

Do you feel persecuted for following Jesus? For example you are sometimes recipient of criticism and scorn because you choose to be faithful to the Lord. You are not alone; because many are being persecuted for their faithful disciples to the Lord. 

Contrary to those who promise a life of ease and affluence the moment we follow Jesus. Jesus did not promise us a life of comfort and ease; but He promised His constant presence within us amidst the difficulties and persecutions. 

 So let us continue to become Jesus eyes, ears and hands in this world. Let us radiate Jesus’ light and love no matter how difficult it may seem; let us not be afraid because Jesus is always with us for as long as we are faithful to Him. 

Jesus also promised us something that we can hold on if we would be faithful until the very end of our lives. The Lord tells us “Whoever endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).” We therefore have to endure whatever may come to us be it trials, persecutions and problems. We endure because we look ahead to a life beyond this world which only God can give us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Wednesday December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Mass during the Day: John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.  

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. 

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

Who is the word that is mentioned in the gospel? 

Jesus is the word that became flesh that dwelt amongst us and He became one with us. This is the mystery of the Incarnation: Jesus the word became like us with flesh and blood. 

This word that became flesh and blood which is Jesus shares with our pains and sufferings; He cures us from our sickness. He lightens our burdens because He walks with us and helps us carry our loads no matter how heavy. But in spite of His incarnation there are still many who don’t know him. Some of us know Jesus but we refuse to accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We continue to ignore His call of conversion. 

So what happens is we are beset with problems; we don’t have peace of mind and we continue to be enslaved by money, worries and other worldly things. This Christmas God is giving us again His only begotten Son so that we could be saved from the troubles and worries of this world. Let us therefore embrace Jesus our savior with all our hearts.  -  Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Wednesday December 25 Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord – Midnight Mass: Luke 2:1-14

Gospel: Luke 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 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.”

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Reflection:

What is a manger? It’s a box where feeds for farm animals are placed, where is a manger located? It’s located in a barn, what is a barn? It’s a small place where farm animals are located or housed. God chose Jesus to be born in that lowly location for a reason and that reason is for us to appreciate that Jesus comes to our life in the humblest and simplest occurrence. 

God could have chosen Jesus to be born in a palace befitting His status, but God chose Jesus to be born in a humble location so that He would be accessible to all of us. If God had chosen Jesus to be born in a palace, He would have been distancing Himself from many of us, for palaces befit only the rich, royalty, and kings. 

Jesus was born in a barn because no other place was available for them or no one was willing to let them in. They went knocking from door to door but to no avail. Perhaps they were all busy that’s why they have no time to open their house for the birth of Jesus.  

On this night of the birth of Jesus, He is knocking at the doors of our hearts as well. Let us open our hearts to Jesus let us let Him dwell there for there is no greater gift that we can ever receive this Christmas than Jesus Himself. Because if we have Jesus we already have everything.  

Would you open your heart to Jesus? - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for December 24 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:67-79

Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.  

Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. 

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

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Reflection:

Have you already done something to prepare the way of the Lord? Have you already called for repentance like what John did? By virtue of our Baptism we also share in the mission of John, we also take into our hearts what his father Zechariah had said to him.  

Imagine these words of Zechariah for his son John being addressed to you as well: You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:76-79).”  

The Christmas season is the best time to share Jesus with others; we do this by giving something from ourselves especially to those who are in need. Many of us tend to forget that Christmas is not about us. 

Christmas is about Jesus, so we have to share Him with others. God shared His only begotten Son with us so that we could also share Him with others. The true essence of Christmas is not only the sharing of gifts but, most importantly, the sharing of Jesus, the incarnate God, who is known to many of us but still unknown to many more.

When we share Jesus we also prepare His way and we become like His precursor John. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for December 23 Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Luke 1:57-66

Gospel: Luke 1:57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." 

But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. 

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him."

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Reflection:

Do you always follow the will of the Lord? No you do not that is why you have problems every now and then that you create for yourself. For example, in the covenant of the Sacrament of Marriage: To have and to hold for richer or for poorer in sickness and in health till death do us part. 

But sad to say this is not followed by couples who wed in the church. We create problems for ourselves that is actually avoidable but we don’t avoid. This is the reason why we suffer because of our lack of fidelity to the marriage vows. There’s a whole lot more problems that we create for ourselves for the simple reason that we don’t follow God we’re not faithful to what God wants us to do. 

In today's Gospel, the couple Elizabeth and Zechariah are faithful to what God wants them to do: to name their newborn son John (Luke 1:13). Many suggested naming the child after his father, Zechariah. However, Elizabeth insisted on naming him John. When they asked Zechariah, he wrote the name John, and immediately after that, he was freed from the curse of being unable to speak. 

It always pays to be faithful to God for there’s always a reward. And it always pays to be faithful to the Sacrament of Matrimony for you will have peace of mind and you will not be at the beck and call of the devil who’s end in mind is to destroy you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas         

Reflection for Sunday December 22, Fourth Sunday of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an adopted man who wanted to find out who his real mother was. He asked his adoptive parents about the whereabouts of his biological mother, and they told him that she lived in a faraway place. He replied to his parents, "Even if she lives in a faraway place, I will go and find her, for I owe my life to her.

So he went to the faraway place, and there he found his mother, already very old and sickly. The son told his mother, "I am your son. I am here to take care of you, and I will never leave you alone from now on." The mother unabashedly cried and said, "Thank you for finding me and for bringing joy and hope into my life. 

Mary and Elizabeth must have been very close relatives and may have known each other since childhood. Otherwise, Mary would not have endeavored to travel to that faraway place to visit and stay with her cousin Elizabeth for six months.

In her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, Mary imparts the importance of showing concern for the welfare of others. She teaches us to set aside our own needs in favor of those who are in greater need of our help and care.

Mary teaches us the importance of reaching out and building bridges instead of walls. Last but certainly not least, Mary shows us the significance of giving Jesus to others. This is the greatest gift of love that Mary brought to her cousin: she brought and gave Jesus to her.

Let us think of our relatives or friends whom we have not seen or been in touch with for a long time. Why don’t we reach out to them? If our physical presence is not possible, we can connect with them through the internet. A simple "hello" or "how are you?" will surely lift their morale and spirits. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita, Linggo Disyembre 22 Ikaapat na Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

Hindi nagtagal at si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Judea. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan.   

Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak niyang sinabi, "Bukod kang pinagpala sa babaing lahat, at pinagpala naman ang iyong dinadalang anak! Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!"  

Reflection for December 21 Saturday of the Third Week of Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

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Reflection:

Would you be willing to forgo your own welfare for the welfare of others? 

Aside from the birth of the Lord, one of the enduring and relevant messages of Christmas is self- emptying of ourselves. Self-emptying means to look less on our personal needs and focus it on the needs of others. 

Considering that she was also pregnant at that time. Mary did not focus on her own needs and safety. She looked outside of herself or emptied herself to make an impact on the life of her cousin Elizabeth: This is what we must always emulate every Christmas time and even every day, to empty and make ourselves available for others. 

Children usually focus their Christmas celebrations and expectations for themselves. That's why during Christmas they ask for gifts from their parents and god parents. Nothing is wrong with this but in a deeper sense Christmas is not about ourselves. 

Christmas is about others most especially those who are poor, unwanted, abandoned, the suffering or anyone who is going through a difficult episode during this time. Like Mary who went out of her way to give cheer to her cousin Elizabeth we too must go out of our way to give cheer to someone who is in need.

And who are they? They could be a relative, a friend, a neighbor, or a complete stranger in need of our attention and care.– Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Disyembre 21, Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Adbiyento: Lucas 1:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:39-45

Hindi nagtagal at si Maria'y nagmamadaling pumunta sa isang bayan sa kaburulan ng Judea. Pagdating sa bahay ni Zacarias, binati niya si Elisabet. Nang marinig ni Elisabet ang bati ni Maria, naggagalaw ang sanggol sa kanyang tiyan.  

Napuspos ng Espiritu Santo si Elisabet, at buong galak niyang sinabi, "Bukod kang pinagpala sa babaing lahat, at pinagpala naman ang iyong dinadalang anak! Sino ako upang dalawin ng ina ng aking Panginoon? Sapagkat pagkarinig ko ng iyong bati ay naggagalaw sa tuwa ang sanggol sa aking tiyan. Mapalad ka sapagkat nanalig kang matutupad ang ipinasasabi sa iyo ng Panginoon!"