Okay....
I wanna keep it short and simple before we start 2012 with a bang. It would be a prayer:
First of all, I thank the Lord for 2011. The Pro-life victory, the Quadricentennial Year of UST, and everything that happened this year. We return to you, O Lord, the glory.
Second, I hope that Your countenance would be felt still in the new year. May the motherly care of the Blessed Virgin be felt on us.
And finally, whatever I may see as an opportunity to serve You, may I do it for You.
This I ask through Christ, Our King and Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and all the Angels and Saints.
AMEN!
And as I did last year, here's the best of 2011:
Life vs. Death
Catholicism, a Balance of Heart and Mind
Umaasa
the March 25 Pro-Life rally
UST's Human Cross
The Tax Collector at the Temple
Prophecy or Mass Panic?
O Birheng Kalinis-linisan
Christ in the Hands of His Priest
Father's Day Letter para kay Rizal
A Leningrad in the Making
Humanae Vitae Week
The Grassroots Project
Theotokos
The Battle for Existence Continues
My Youth
St. Nicholas a.k.a. Santa Claus
A Nativity Hymn
A Reflection on St. John
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Byzantinong awit sa Pasko ng Pagsilang ng Panginoong Jesu-Kristo
pagsasalin ni Ian Riñon
Ngayo'y ipinanganak buhat sa isang dalaga Siyang may tangan ng tanang nilikha sa Kanyang mga kamay.
Siyang hindi mahawak-hawakan ay binalutan ng lampin bilang Sanggol.
Siyang Diyos nang sa pasimula'y nilikha ang kalangitan ay nakahimlay sa isang sabsaban.
Siyang nagpaulan ng manna sa Kanyang bayan sa ilang ay nakasalalay sa gatas ng Kanyang Ina.
Siyang Kabiyak ng Simbahan ang nag-anyaya sa mga pantas.
Ang Anak ng Birhen ang tumanggap ng kanilang mga handog.
Pinupuri namin ang Iyong pagsilang, O Kristo.
Nawa'y makita rin namin ang sarili Mo.
Ngayo'y ipinanganak buhat sa isang dalaga Siyang may tangan ng tanang nilikha sa Kanyang mga kamay.
Siyang hindi mahawak-hawakan ay binalutan ng lampin bilang Sanggol.
Siyang Diyos nang sa pasimula'y nilikha ang kalangitan ay nakahimlay sa isang sabsaban.
Siyang nagpaulan ng manna sa Kanyang bayan sa ilang ay nakasalalay sa gatas ng Kanyang Ina.
Siyang Kabiyak ng Simbahan ang nag-anyaya sa mga pantas.
Ang Anak ng Birhen ang tumanggap ng kanilang mga handog.
Pinupuri namin ang Iyong pagsilang, O Kristo.
Nawa'y makita rin namin ang sarili Mo.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Santa Claus's Christmas Wish (a repost)
Santa Claus' Christmas Wish
(Translated from the original Filipino Christmas story of Francis Raymund Gonzales)
"They're going to boycott you," a voice behind him broke the silence of the room.
He didn't turn to the source of the message. He just continued to stir sugar into his coffee. Oh no; he have put too much sugar. Now he knows why: he is somewhat affected even if he had heard it before.
"Rudolph, where did that came from?" the old man asked his friendly pet.
"It's in the Internet. It says here that the people would start a campaign of not patronizing you anymore this December. What's worse about it is that Catholic priests will spearhead this against you."
Taking a deep breath, he does not want to show his pet that he knows all these things. The eastern winds whispered this to him a month ago--and the western a week ago--and the south about two hours ago. He does not want to admit that this is what makes him a little less jolly for a couple of days now.
"Santa," Rudolph continued, "a group of deers suggested that we would just pick places where there are still no actions made against you. According to some collected information, you are popular in Japan. So that means, we could conduct a mission there."
It looks like that he doesn't want to talk to his pet anymore, so he pushed his back against his soft chair. Rudolph also noticed that his master does not want to talk about the topic in hand, so he left the room.
A deeper breath was all that Santa Claus could do. It looks like Santa Claus, the most popular symbol of Christmas in the world, is hesitant to stand up and move. Despite the many years of giving joy to children, he knew that one day there would be people who would complain and hate him.
He also knew the reason why they are pulling him down: someone made a private message to him on Facebook telling him that he was stealing the spotlight from the Infant Jesus; instead of centering the celebration to the Messiah, he himself was the reason of the happiness of the children and the commercialization of Christmas. That is why he ignored Rudolph when he involved Japan. Yes--the Land of the Rising Sun. Christmas is popular there, however, he was the reason behind it. He is THE icon of Christmas in a foreign land. He overlapped the Messiah in the importance of the Japanese; and he is disappointed of it.
Suddenly, he thought of something. He rung the tiny bells to call his reindeers: "Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen! Comet! Cupid! Donner! Blitzen! Rudolph! Ready the sleigh! We'll go visit someone!"
That night, they went to a cathedral in a nearby town. Santa walked inside the dark, cold, hollow place, and in a nook, he saw a lighted image of Jesus in the manger. There is no other image there. He thought that someone forgot to put this in the right place. He was astonished that there were no lights in it! It seems that a light from above the cathedral that illuminates the image is guiding him to where he was standing.
With guilt from within, he humbly prostrated in prayer upon reaching the image:
"Master, first of all, I would like to thank You for this night that I could visit You. Everything that happens is according to Your will for those who love You--even the campaign of ousting me at this time. May Your will be done. For a long time of reading every child's wish every Christmas, I realized that I am also a child in Your presence; and I have one wish to tell."
The face of the image of Christ looks peaceful, and His eyes are looking towards the light from above.
And Santa continued: "Master, I wish that every man would understand that I am not here to form a barrier against You. I have a happiness that I want to share to others; and You know that You are my true happiness. I am doing this not only because I want to make children happy every Christmas Eve, or to make the family happy in their Santa Claus decorations, and all other reasons. I am here to remind them that if they feel the goodness and happiness I bring, I hope that they would realize that there is a more infinite Goodness and Joy, for You have said: 'No servant is higher than his master." They may not see You in their merry-making, I hope that they may feel You through me while they decorate their homes in my image. I am just like a clown in a birthday party who brings happiness to all; and You are the birthday celebrant. As a clown, the only thing I could give to You is my duty to bring happiness. I ask for Your forgiveness if there are people who misunderstand my intentions for Christmas."
The light vanished, and someone went inside--the sexton. Santa and his reindeers also vanished.
"Mama! Mama! It's beautiful! Can we buy it?...Please...."
It's Christmas shopping again in a mall. Shining lights and figures of angels are everywhere--of course, also those of Santa Claus. But there is something new in their inventory. It seems that the Infant Jesus was satisfied and He granted Santa's wish that night. Indeed, that is a new figurine--and one of the most meaningful to display this Christmas: an example of humility and of submission that despite of one's popularity, it is God alone who should remain, and it is God alone who should be glorified.
That was the figurine of Santa Claus kneeling in front of the Christ Child.
"They're going to boycott you," a voice behind him broke the silence of the room.
He didn't turn to the source of the message. He just continued to stir sugar into his coffee. Oh no; he have put too much sugar. Now he knows why: he is somewhat affected even if he had heard it before.
"Rudolph, where did that came from?" the old man asked his friendly pet.
"It's in the Internet. It says here that the people would start a campaign of not patronizing you anymore this December. What's worse about it is that Catholic priests will spearhead this against you."
Taking a deep breath, he does not want to show his pet that he knows all these things. The eastern winds whispered this to him a month ago--and the western a week ago--and the south about two hours ago. He does not want to admit that this is what makes him a little less jolly for a couple of days now.
"Santa," Rudolph continued, "a group of deers suggested that we would just pick places where there are still no actions made against you. According to some collected information, you are popular in Japan. So that means, we could conduct a mission there."
It looks like that he doesn't want to talk to his pet anymore, so he pushed his back against his soft chair. Rudolph also noticed that his master does not want to talk about the topic in hand, so he left the room.
A deeper breath was all that Santa Claus could do. It looks like Santa Claus, the most popular symbol of Christmas in the world, is hesitant to stand up and move. Despite the many years of giving joy to children, he knew that one day there would be people who would complain and hate him.
He also knew the reason why they are pulling him down: someone made a private message to him on Facebook telling him that he was stealing the spotlight from the Infant Jesus; instead of centering the celebration to the Messiah, he himself was the reason of the happiness of the children and the commercialization of Christmas. That is why he ignored Rudolph when he involved Japan. Yes--the Land of the Rising Sun. Christmas is popular there, however, he was the reason behind it. He is THE icon of Christmas in a foreign land. He overlapped the Messiah in the importance of the Japanese; and he is disappointed of it.
Suddenly, he thought of something. He rung the tiny bells to call his reindeers: "Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen! Comet! Cupid! Donner! Blitzen! Rudolph! Ready the sleigh! We'll go visit someone!"
That night, they went to a cathedral in a nearby town. Santa walked inside the dark, cold, hollow place, and in a nook, he saw a lighted image of Jesus in the manger. There is no other image there. He thought that someone forgot to put this in the right place. He was astonished that there were no lights in it! It seems that a light from above the cathedral that illuminates the image is guiding him to where he was standing.
With guilt from within, he humbly prostrated in prayer upon reaching the image:
"Master, first of all, I would like to thank You for this night that I could visit You. Everything that happens is according to Your will for those who love You--even the campaign of ousting me at this time. May Your will be done. For a long time of reading every child's wish every Christmas, I realized that I am also a child in Your presence; and I have one wish to tell."
The face of the image of Christ looks peaceful, and His eyes are looking towards the light from above.
And Santa continued: "Master, I wish that every man would understand that I am not here to form a barrier against You. I have a happiness that I want to share to others; and You know that You are my true happiness. I am doing this not only because I want to make children happy every Christmas Eve, or to make the family happy in their Santa Claus decorations, and all other reasons. I am here to remind them that if they feel the goodness and happiness I bring, I hope that they would realize that there is a more infinite Goodness and Joy, for You have said: 'No servant is higher than his master." They may not see You in their merry-making, I hope that they may feel You through me while they decorate their homes in my image. I am just like a clown in a birthday party who brings happiness to all; and You are the birthday celebrant. As a clown, the only thing I could give to You is my duty to bring happiness. I ask for Your forgiveness if there are people who misunderstand my intentions for Christmas."
The light vanished, and someone went inside--the sexton. Santa and his reindeers also vanished.
"Mama! Mama! It's beautiful! Can we buy it?...Please...."
It's Christmas shopping again in a mall. Shining lights and figures of angels are everywhere--of course, also those of Santa Claus. But there is something new in their inventory. It seems that the Infant Jesus was satisfied and He granted Santa's wish that night. Indeed, that is a new figurine--and one of the most meaningful to display this Christmas: an example of humility and of submission that despite of one's popularity, it is God alone who should remain, and it is God alone who should be glorified.
That was the figurine of Santa Claus kneeling in front of the Christ Child.
Monday, December 5, 2011
The REAL Santa Claus worships the Christ Child
Who says Santa Claus is the man of the Christmas season?
JESUS IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE MAN OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!
The Santa you see on TV, and virtually everywhere, is just the secular impostor.
And take note: he was the one who beat the hell out of Arius when he can't take what the heretic was saying.
hahahaha
Well, according to a story, when Arius was arguing that Jesus Christ was not God (which Manalists and other anti-Catholic sects follow unkowingly), Saint Nicholas rose up and smacked Arius in the face. Because of this, he was stripped off of his episcopal authority, confiscating his copy of the Gospels and the omophor or pallium, and was detained.
While inside the cell, Jesus and Mary appeared to him and asked him why the saint was in prison. Bishop Nicholas replied, "Because I love you, my Lord and my God." Christ gave him a new copy of the Gospels and the Blessed Mother vested him again with the omophor, bringing back his authority as bishop.
Years later, Dutch people transformed the traditional Saint Nicholas into Santa Claus, and since then, became a popular culture figure every Christmas, which secularists copied and made impostors.
I find it ironic though that secular Santa impostors have the nerve of shouting "Ho ho ho! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" I guess, they should realize that they're saying OUR line.
But imagine, Santa Claus isn't just making a list of who's naughty or nice, he's also beating the hell out of anyone who disregards the Reason for the season, Jesus Christ, the Child in the manger of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. So you better watch your theological thinking and prioritizing this Christmas, or you'll get a knuckle sandwich from Ol' Saint Nick aside from coal while shouting "HO HO HO!".
Can he also be the Patron of boxers? hahahahaha
Anyway, here's what Sir Ishmael Ahab and Fr. Jojo Zerrudo have to say.
JESUS IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE MAN OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!
The Santa you see on TV, and virtually everywhere, is just the secular impostor.
He's the REAL Santa Claus: Saint Nicholas of Myra. Even he pronounces that Christ must be the Center of the Season.
And take note: he was the one who beat the hell out of Arius when he can't take what the heretic was saying.
hahahaha
Well, according to a story, when Arius was arguing that Jesus Christ was not God (which Manalists and other anti-Catholic sects follow unkowingly), Saint Nicholas rose up and smacked Arius in the face. Because of this, he was stripped off of his episcopal authority, confiscating his copy of the Gospels and the omophor or pallium, and was detained.
While inside the cell, Jesus and Mary appeared to him and asked him why the saint was in prison. Bishop Nicholas replied, "Because I love you, my Lord and my God." Christ gave him a new copy of the Gospels and the Blessed Mother vested him again with the omophor, bringing back his authority as bishop.
Years later, Dutch people transformed the traditional Saint Nicholas into Santa Claus, and since then, became a popular culture figure every Christmas, which secularists copied and made impostors.
I find it ironic though that secular Santa impostors have the nerve of shouting "Ho ho ho! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" I guess, they should realize that they're saying OUR line.
But imagine, Santa Claus isn't just making a list of who's naughty or nice, he's also beating the hell out of anyone who disregards the Reason for the season, Jesus Christ, the Child in the manger of Bethlehem two thousand years ago. So you better watch your theological thinking and prioritizing this Christmas, or you'll get a knuckle sandwich from Ol' Saint Nick aside from coal while shouting "HO HO HO!".
Can he also be the Patron of boxers? hahahahaha
Anyway, here's what Sir Ishmael Ahab and Fr. Jojo Zerrudo have to say.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
My Christmas Wishlist
Okay, so it's still very far from Christmas (and I really think you're hoping it would come soon). But I have a lot of things to consider; and yes, one of them is my wishlist.
So if you don't mind, let me have my wishlist here. Maybe my Top Three.
-A PBS (PHL Bible Society) Tagalog-English Diglot Bible (with the Tagalog translation by Msgr. Abirol, basically the best translation!)
price: P715
Well, this IS a must for me. I really need a reliable Tagalog translation of the Scriptures. Literary passages. I consider this as the greatest gem of my library at a considerably affordable cost. hahahaha
-An altar server's BLACK cassock (with surplice, of course)
price: about P2,000 to P4,500
I know this is wishful thinking as an altar server, a freelance one to be specific. But hey, you ain't a knight of the altar without it. It's like you're fighting a horde of demons when you wear them.
-And finally, a portable CB radio with an FM radio feature
price: P3,000-4,000 (x2 to accommodate the other side = P6,000-8,000)
So if you don't mind, let me have my wishlist here. Maybe my Top Three.
-A PBS (PHL Bible Society) Tagalog-English Diglot Bible (with the Tagalog translation by Msgr. Abirol, basically the best translation!)
price: P715
Yep. That one. But I prefer a black cover than a blue one here.
Well, this IS a must for me. I really need a reliable Tagalog translation of the Scriptures. Literary passages. I consider this as the greatest gem of my library at a considerably affordable cost. hahahaha
-An altar server's BLACK cassock (with surplice, of course)
price: about P2,000 to P4,500
This one.
I know this is wishful thinking as an altar server, a freelance one to be specific. But hey, you ain't a knight of the altar without it. It's like you're fighting a horde of demons when you wear them.
-And finally, a portable CB radio with an FM radio feature
price: P3,000-4,000 (x2 to accommodate the other side = P6,000-8,000)
Not really this model, but if I found out that it has an FM player feature to kill the boredom, I'm wishing for it!
So you would be wondering why the hell am I considering this one of my top three items in my wishlist:
Since my stint in signal communications, I had this hobby of monitoring things, especially events concerning the community, and even coordination with religious events in our area. Again, wishful thinking. For now, this piece of technology would cost my limb, and it may come true (I hope it will) three to four Christmases from now.
But this wishlist isn't really the primary thing I have to consider. Even if it already is the 24th of December. Because the truth is these things are but outward things I can live without (of course with the exception of the first item). And even if I may afford it, it would have the right time.
For now, let me break the extended Christmas spirit to focus on the memory of our deceased brothers since November is a week from now.
Thanks for reading, anyway.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Santa Claus' Christmas Wish
(Translated from the original Filipino Christmas story of Francis Raymund Gonzales)
"They're going to boycott you," a voice behind him broke the silence of the room.
He didn't turn to the source of the message. He just continued to stir sugar into his coffee. Oh no; he have put too much sugar. Now he knows why: he is somewhat affected even if he had heard it before.
"Rudolph, where did that came from?" the old man asked his friendly pet.
"It's in the Internet. It says here that the people would start a campaign of not patronizing you anymore this December. What's worse about it is that Catholic priests will spearhead this against you."
Taking a deep breath, he does not want to show his pet that he knows all these things. The eastern winds whispered this to him a month ago--and the western a week ago--and the south about two hours ago. He does not want to admit that this is what makes him a little less jolly for a couple of days now.
"Santa," Rudolph continued, "a group of deers suggested that we would just pick places where there are still no actions made against you. According to some collected information, you are popular in Japan. So that means, we could conduct a mission there."
It looks like that he doesn't want to talk to his pet anymore, so he pushed his back against his soft chair. Rudolph also noticed that his master does not want to talk about the topic in hand, so he left the room.
A deeper breath was all that Santa Claus could do. It looks like Santa Claus, the most popular symbol of Christmas in the world, is hesitant to stand up and move. Despite the many years of giving joy to children, he knew that one day there would be people who would complain and hate him.
He also knew the reason why they are pulling him down: someone made a private message to him on Facebook telling him that he was stealing the spotlight from the Infant Jesus; instead of centering the celebration to the Messiah, he himself was the reason of the happiness of the children and the commercialization of Christmas. That is why he ignored Rudolph when he involved Japan. Yes--the Land of the Rising Sun. Christmas is popular there, however, he was the reason behind it. He is THE icon of Christmas in a foreign land. He overlapped the Messiah in the importance of the Japanese; and he is disappointed of it.
Suddenly, he thought of something. He rung the tiny bells to call his reindeers: "Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen! Comet! Cupid! Donner! Blitzen! Rudolph! Ready the sleigh! We'll go visit someone!"
That night, they went to a cathedral in a nearby town. Santa walked inside the dark, cold, hollow place, and in a nook, he saw a lighted image of Jesus in the manger. There is no other image there. He thought that someone forgot to put this in the right place. He was astonished that there were no lights in it! It seems that a light from above the cathedral that illuminates the image is guiding him to where he was standing.
With guilt from within, he humbly prostrated in prayer upon reaching the image:
"Master, first of all, I would like to thank You for this night that I could visit You. Everything that happens is according to Your will for those who love You--even the campaign of ousting me at this time. May Your will be done. For a long time of reading every child's wish every Christmas, I realized that I am also a child in Your presence; and I have one wish to tell."
The face of the image of Christ looks peaceful, and His eyes are looking towards the light from above.
And Santa continued: "Master, I wish that every man would understand that I am not here to form a barrier against You. I have a happiness that I want to share to others; and You know that You are my true happiness. I am doing this not only because I want to make children happy every Christmas Eve, or to make the family happy in their Santa Claus decorations, and all other reasons. I am here to remind them that if they feel the goodness and happiness I bring, I hope that they would realize that there is a more infinite Goodness and Joy, for You have said: 'No servant is higher than his master." They may not see You in their merry-making, I hope that they may feel You through me while they decorate their homes in my image. I am just like a clown in a birthday party who brings happiness to all; and You are the birthday celebrant. As a clown, the only thing I could give to You is my duty to bring happiness. I ask for Your forgiveness if there are people who misunderstand my intentions for Christmas."
The light vanished, and someone went inside--the sexton. Santa and his reindeers also vanished.
"Mama! Mama! It's beautiful! Can we buy it?...Please...."
It's Christmas shopping again in a mall. Shining lights and figures of angels are everywhere--of course, also those of Santa Claus. But there is something new in their inventory. It seems that the Infant Jesus was satisfied and He granted Santa's wish that night. Indeed, that is a new figurine--and one of the most meaningful to display this Christmas: an example of humility and of submission that despite of one's popularity, it is God alone who should remain, and it is God alone who should be glorified.
That was the figurine of Santa Claus kneeling in front of the Christ Child.
(Francis Raymund Gonzales is the Overall Moderator of 100% Katolikong Pinoy Online Ministry. The story is the third installment of the "Ningning" Christmas series, which could be viewed here.)
"They're going to boycott you," a voice behind him broke the silence of the room.
He didn't turn to the source of the message. He just continued to stir sugar into his coffee. Oh no; he have put too much sugar. Now he knows why: he is somewhat affected even if he had heard it before.
"Rudolph, where did that came from?" the old man asked his friendly pet.
"It's in the Internet. It says here that the people would start a campaign of not patronizing you anymore this December. What's worse about it is that Catholic priests will spearhead this against you."
Taking a deep breath, he does not want to show his pet that he knows all these things. The eastern winds whispered this to him a month ago--and the western a week ago--and the south about two hours ago. He does not want to admit that this is what makes him a little less jolly for a couple of days now.
"Santa," Rudolph continued, "a group of deers suggested that we would just pick places where there are still no actions made against you. According to some collected information, you are popular in Japan. So that means, we could conduct a mission there."
It looks like that he doesn't want to talk to his pet anymore, so he pushed his back against his soft chair. Rudolph also noticed that his master does not want to talk about the topic in hand, so he left the room.
A deeper breath was all that Santa Claus could do. It looks like Santa Claus, the most popular symbol of Christmas in the world, is hesitant to stand up and move. Despite the many years of giving joy to children, he knew that one day there would be people who would complain and hate him.
He also knew the reason why they are pulling him down: someone made a private message to him on Facebook telling him that he was stealing the spotlight from the Infant Jesus; instead of centering the celebration to the Messiah, he himself was the reason of the happiness of the children and the commercialization of Christmas. That is why he ignored Rudolph when he involved Japan. Yes--the Land of the Rising Sun. Christmas is popular there, however, he was the reason behind it. He is THE icon of Christmas in a foreign land. He overlapped the Messiah in the importance of the Japanese; and he is disappointed of it.
Suddenly, he thought of something. He rung the tiny bells to call his reindeers: "Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen! Comet! Cupid! Donner! Blitzen! Rudolph! Ready the sleigh! We'll go visit someone!"
That night, they went to a cathedral in a nearby town. Santa walked inside the dark, cold, hollow place, and in a nook, he saw a lighted image of Jesus in the manger. There is no other image there. He thought that someone forgot to put this in the right place. He was astonished that there were no lights in it! It seems that a light from above the cathedral that illuminates the image is guiding him to where he was standing.
With guilt from within, he humbly prostrated in prayer upon reaching the image:
"Master, first of all, I would like to thank You for this night that I could visit You. Everything that happens is according to Your will for those who love You--even the campaign of ousting me at this time. May Your will be done. For a long time of reading every child's wish every Christmas, I realized that I am also a child in Your presence; and I have one wish to tell."
The face of the image of Christ looks peaceful, and His eyes are looking towards the light from above.
And Santa continued: "Master, I wish that every man would understand that I am not here to form a barrier against You. I have a happiness that I want to share to others; and You know that You are my true happiness. I am doing this not only because I want to make children happy every Christmas Eve, or to make the family happy in their Santa Claus decorations, and all other reasons. I am here to remind them that if they feel the goodness and happiness I bring, I hope that they would realize that there is a more infinite Goodness and Joy, for You have said: 'No servant is higher than his master." They may not see You in their merry-making, I hope that they may feel You through me while they decorate their homes in my image. I am just like a clown in a birthday party who brings happiness to all; and You are the birthday celebrant. As a clown, the only thing I could give to You is my duty to bring happiness. I ask for Your forgiveness if there are people who misunderstand my intentions for Christmas."
The light vanished, and someone went inside--the sexton. Santa and his reindeers also vanished.
"Mama! Mama! It's beautiful! Can we buy it?...Please...."
It's Christmas shopping again in a mall. Shining lights and figures of angels are everywhere--of course, also those of Santa Claus. But there is something new in their inventory. It seems that the Infant Jesus was satisfied and He granted Santa's wish that night. Indeed, that is a new figurine--and one of the most meaningful to display this Christmas: an example of humility and of submission that despite of one's popularity, it is God alone who should remain, and it is God alone who should be glorified.
That was the figurine of Santa Claus kneeling in front of the Christ Child.
(Francis Raymund Gonzales is the Overall Moderator of 100% Katolikong Pinoy Online Ministry. The story is the third installment of the "Ningning" Christmas series, which could be viewed here.)
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