Merry Christmas!

It's really the most wonderful time of the year. Aside from all the presents, the food and the festivities for the occassion, let us not forget the real reason of this season - the birth of Jesus Christ.

Before the clock struck twelve, me and my family attended the Christmas Eve mass or the Misa de Gallo. And the homily of the priest was quite enlightening. You know the story of how Jesus was born. I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times or else you wouldn't be celebrating today. But what the priest explained in his homily was something I've never heard before nor realized until last night.

He explained that Jesus being born in a manger is not just any coincidence. Aside from it (the situation) being related to the humility of our King, the priest explained that what it meant for Jesus to be born in a manger. As a manger is a part of a barn where the horses and the cattle eat, when Mary gave birth, the manger now symbolizes that Jesus was the food for our soul, our spirituality. Just as the animals go and eat the food in the manger when they are hungry, we, too, shall come to Jesus when we thirst for love. It should come naturally that we go to Him in times of need, when we do not have enough strength to overcome any difficult situations, when we feel isolated and alone, when we don't believe we are good enough, in times of despair and suffering, it is always been our nature to come back to Him to give us all that we need - His love. And through Him we can do anything.

Amazing just how one night could really make us forget every problems we have and just feel His spirit and presence on the night His child was born. Let us celebrate this occasion thanking our mighty Creator for bringing us His beloved son, Jesus, through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and giving us his salvation. Without them, we wouldn't be celebrating anything today.

Have a very merry Christmas! Happy birthday, Jesus!

Xo,
L.