Finally… it is Christmas

THE long wait, but short preparation for me, is finally ending. We will be celebrating the birth of our SAVIOR.

Unlike my friend, Doc Rene Manalo, who is on his 26th consecutive year of completing his 9 days of preparation for the coming of Christ, thru participation in the early morning HOLY MASS, and through other means, here I am rushing on my readings and inner self preparation for the coming of our Savior.

Let me share and reflect on several repeatedly heard and read bible verses:

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin will be with a child and bear a son, and she will call His name, Emmanuel (God with us) .”

As prophesized, a virgin woman named Mary, immaculately conceived, and born without sin, became God’s willing vessel for bearing Jesus. May we follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and become humble and willing servants of God, following His will in our lives. May we imitate Mama Mary, and also point the way to Jesus, by our words and by our lives.

Matthew 1:18-25: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Truly, Jesus is born of the Holy Spirit. True God and true Man. Like Mama Mary, St. Joseph was another humble and willing servant of God. An exemplary model for men to follow, St. Joseph was an ordinary man whom God relied on to do great things; the greatest of which was to take Mary as his wife, and be the foster father of Jesus. Joseph, coming from the lineage of David, thus fulfilled what was prophesized.

Luke 2:7: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Is there room for Jesus in our “inn”? Are our hearts ready and open to receive Him? Cleansing our hearts of pride, selfishness, greed, lust, envy, desire for power and prestige, and other frailties would be a warm welcome for the child