Christmas: No more waiting

IBARAKI PREFECTURE, JAPAN—Days before the celebration of Christmas, Filipinos and Japanese Catholics in Tsukuba Catholic Church here have attended the Mass presided by Filipino priests from Davao.

It was December 1, the first Sunday of Advent and weeks before the celebration of Christmas.

During the Mass, Fr. Rolando Mandreza, parish priest of St. James the Apostle Parish in Bunawan, who came to Japan, along with Fr. Elneri Meñez and friends, to visit his brother, officiated the Holy Mass.

In his homily, Fr. Mandreza said that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ and it’s sad to note that Christmas has become a commercialized celebration as seen in the different malls and offices.

Seeing Santa Claus and the different decors in the malls, Fr. Mandreza asked if the people really understand why they are celebrating Christmas.

And Advent Season, which precedes Christmas is a season to wait for the Lord’s coming.

Fr. Mandreza said that when one is waiting for someone, his or her heart is full of anticipation and preparations are set like the house where the visitor will stay, the silverware and the linens are prepared especially for Filipinos who are known for their hospitality.

He also encouraged them to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Lord by receiving the Sacraments especially the sacrament of confession.

Filipinos who were present during the Mass also expressed how they miss home especially with Christmas being the time that families are together in celebration.

With some of them not coming home for Christmas, Fr. Mandreza rendered a song for them at the end of the mass which brought some Filipinos who are working as OFWs to tears.

One Filipino quipped that she remembered Christmas at home when she heard the song Sana Ngayong Pasko.

“Christmas is coming,” said another Filipino in the congregation.