Chaplain Manuel A. Biadog Jr. with his granddaughter Pollyanna following the Christmas Eve service in Port Orchard, WA.*Cindy Gore photo
The real meaning of Christmas
Christmas is all about Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to humankind. Christmas celebration comes every year. The followers of Jesus observe the true meaning of Christmas because this blessed holiday offers a wonderful message. The Bible records the Good News of the birth of the Savior. The word “Immanuel” in Hebrew means, “God is with us” (Matthew 1:23 NLT). He, who resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He did not come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He came seeking the lost, the lonely, and the spiritually dead humankind. He came 2,000 years ago to offer hope to the hopeless world.
So, Christmas is about God sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to seek and save the lost world.
Challenging faces of Christmas
Christmas is the happiest time of the year, however, for some Christmas is the loneliest or most depressing time of the year for many community members. Just think of the following groups of people: the lonely Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who face daily challenges; the spouses of OFW; families who lost loved ones this year; the hospitalized; the aged; the dying and those caring for them; the students; adults still haunted by frightening memories of their childhood; the refugees, innocent victims of the current wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe; the victims of the typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, floods, and other natural disasters; the evacuees (caused by the explosions of Mt. Kanla-on) who cannot come home for Christmas and so forth. They indeed need our prayerful and material support.
Encouraging Message of Christmas
On a positive note, celebrating the right Spirit of Christmas will help those who are in pain and suffering. Christmas brightens the dark spirit of the lonely souls. Christmas can become little more than a selfish, greedy, unsatisfying experience for some people. When buying gifts gets out of control, the season turns into a financial, frustrating frenzy. I encourage you to celebrate Christmas by using prudent management of time and sharing of your treasures and resources to the least fortunate by rendering a helping to SPED students in Talisay Elementary School.
This Christmas, let us forget about trying to impress others with what we buy and spend more time imparting what we already possess. Share invaluable gifts with others that money cannot buy. Again, just think for a moment! How much money could be saved by thousands of our families every year if the true meaning of Christmas is observed?
Observe Christmas by thinking on the right perspective on gift-giving and focusing on the ultimate gift of God to humankind – Jesus Christ.
Christmas is the season of the year where some think and hear seriously about their relationship to God. The carols such as the ones we hear sing at the churches during Simbang Gabi, and chapels or hear in the malls, indoor and outdoor theaters or in Yoyoland Christmas Village Special Holiday programs or in the neighborhood children carolers or listen over the car radio or seen via television satellites include some of the finest biblical messages for right living.
The message of Christmas portrays in various programs such as the “Handel’s Messiah Concert” and “Special Christmas” and special worship services such as “Lessons and Carols,” Children’s Christmas Program, Candlelight Service, Evening and Midnight Masses / services presented in around our local churches, chapels, and worship places.
Christmas cards we receive or send deliver a message of hope to those who would never otherwise show interest in the biblical story. Christmastime encourages people to ponder upon restoring right relationships with their Creator, families, and fellowman.
Lastly, Christmas season is the best time of the year and remarkable opportunity to tell others about the love of God to those who are still searching for the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
So, this Christmas period in Negros Island or wherever you spend your holiday, I pray to God that the Spirit of Christmas will spread itself over you as never before. As you exchange gifts, remember that they are symbolic of the unspeakable gift of love.
Inviting you receive the Christmas Gift you cannot afford to buy or miss.
If you are interested about becoming a Christian or following Jesus Christ, please talk to your chaplain, priest, pastor or minister or Christian parents / friends today. If you want to experience the best Christmas ever in your life, just repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As a believer in Christ, observe the true meaning of Christmas with your family and friends.
May His richest blessing be yours at Christmastime and throughout the year! And may the Heavenly Light that guided the worshippers to Bethlehem keep your Hope alive, lead you to the Joy, Peace, and genuine Love of Christmas!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! MALIPAYON NGA PASKUA!
(Chaplain Manuel A. (Dondoy) Biadog Jr. is a retired U.S. Navy commander. He was born in Cadiz City and educated in Talisay, Negros Occidental.)