The True Meaning Of Christmas

Christmas is a celebration of love, joy, peace, and forgiveness. It is very important for Filipinos because it is a wonderful time that the family gathers together. It is a moment that one can hear Christmas songs and see the different lights around the corner. It is also a celebration that makes everyone busy preparing for “noche buena”. However, Christmas is beyond external preparation. It has its depth and profound meaning. It is the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom the Father has sent. He is the word made flesh, incarnate through the Blessed Virgin Mary. He is the reason of the season.

In his birth, he chose to be poor in order to make us rich. He was born in Bethlehem (a house of bread) in order to be the source and bread of our life. He was laid in a manger (a place where animals are fed) in order to feed us from hunger. His garments were not of expensive clothes to show us how to be simple and humble. He is with the shepherd to tell us that He is the Good Shepherd. He is in the middle of Joseph and Mary to show us that God is the center of our life. And, all these happened in the silence of the night to tell us that God reigns over darkness and He also speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. This is the essence of Christmas. Christ is born to us and He gives Himself as a gift that we may give also ourselves as a gift to Him and to others. (Sem. Bryan B. Bermejo)