3 days before Christmas - that pivotal moment in history that revealed to us that we have a God that has not forsaken us to sin and that He is a God of promises that are fulfilled.
We are called to be witnesses to His promise - for the people of Israel before, the first coming of the Emmanuel; for us today, the second coming of the Messiah.
What does it mean to be a witness to God's promises?
We must strive to follow the example of John the Baptist, the greatest of those born of women, and Mary, pure from the moment of conception.
Like John, let us acknowledge and rejoice in the presence of our God wherever we may be (for John, even in the womb of his mother).
Like Mary, let us say yes to God in every possible way (for Mary, her sweet yes that turned her from virgin daugther to virgin mother of God).
Like John, let us prepare the way for His coming by taking part in building His kingdom on earth (for John, it was by baptizing the people and living a holy life).
Like Mary, let us recognize God's hand in our lives and reflect on the gradual fulfillment of His promises in our hearts.
Like Mary and John, let us always remain hopeful of the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives.
Like Mary and John, let us be willing to go the distance to be faithful to God's promises even if it means suffering (for Mary, the suffering of a mother seeing her own Son hurt and killed) and death (for John, by beheading).
There is a wonderful song about a man who was witness to the promises of God and was filled with joy and final fulfillment upon seeing it before his eyes. It was Simeon, when Jesus was presented in the temple and the title of the song is Simeon's Canticle (music by Manoling Francisco, S.J.) based on Luke 2:29-32. It's part of the Hangad Christmas album I bought yesterday. I long for the day that his words may be mine as well:
Lord, let your servant go in peace
For Your Word has been fulfilled
My own eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared for all men
Lord, let your servant go in peace
Truly the best Christmas carols are the ones that proclaim the true spirit of Christmas - that of love overflowing from the coming of the source of love Himself into the world.
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4 comments:
I agree. I'm not a big fan of those western Christmas carols because they're all about snow and mistletoe and decorations. I like the melody especially in songs like "The Christmas Song" (which is my favorite western Christmas song) "White Christmas" pero the best ones for me are the Filipino Christmas carols. Being a Catholic country, sobrang rooted parin sa atin ng meaning ng Christmas despite the commercialization.
Hindi na ko magccomment sa ibang parts of your entry because you've already said all that needs to be said. :)
Try Bukas Palad's next year. Nainlove rin ako sa kanila and their songs during their Mini concert sa Simbang Gabi.
I love their "A Christmas Praise" and "The Work of Christmas." :D
Every year I buy a Christmas album for my dad. Next year naman ang Bukas Palad hehe
Here's a video of Simeon's Canticle posted in Youtube =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2ufP1DQsO8
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