Drawing Light and Joy from the Birth of Christ the Emmanuel!
Blessings of Christmas and New Year to each of you and to your loved ones! It is
spiritually exciting, that no matter the difficulties one may be passing through in
life, we are blessed with a new spiritual privilege to reclaim the presence of God
once again in our lives. A light that can shine to any form of darkness affecting
one’s life with God. Jesus has humbled Himself to share in our human nature, so
that we can have access to His Divine Nature, what a wonderful gift and blessings
from God the Father to us.
The Christmas night’s Liturgy reading from Isaiah 9:1-6 indicated that “the people
who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The word “Light” signifies
liberation and salvation to Israel. Light in that sense applied to the presence of
Emmanuel, the God with us. That is why Christmas Liturgy is filled with references
to light. Through Goodnews of the Birth of Jesus Christ, our faith can draw light
from Christ's presence, and any form of darkness in our lives can be subdued.
Currently, the world has experienced so much darkness. The world battles
frustrations from pandemic set back, battle from natural disasters, wars,
sicknesses, so many lost their job, so many lost their businesses, hunger, and
other kinds of sufferings and psychological trauma, etc.
On the spiritual level, the world has lost the consciousness of God’s Presence. Sin
has become a routine of life, and sometimes, it’s like God should not have any say
about how we should live our lives. The world is losing the virtue of love, care,
compassion, dialogue, forgiveness, and understanding. We have become so much
self-centered that we no longer see certain things as sin if it does not matter to
us. Sometimes, things appear so far away from God’s way of love. Far away from
prayer, from going to church to pray and listen to God, and from loved ones.
The birth of Christ is a spiritual challenge for everyone to draw light from Christ
into any form of darkness affecting their spiritual life. Bring Jesus into that
darkness you are experiencing, and things will change to good for you. We do that
by bringing Christ’s Presence into those aspects of our lives that are still in
darkness. Christmas is a time to refresh spiritually and reconnect with Jesus the
Savior, in a newer way of spiritual relationship with Him. We are to listen to Him
about what our lives need.
There is no doubt, so many may be suffering from the confusion of life. Some may
be passing through a tough time, brokenness, broken relationship,
disappointment, loneliness, emptiness, frustrations of life, loss of hope in all
forms, some may even be struggling with faith in God, and can no longer trust in
the power of God. Such difficulties represent the ugly situations that surrounded
the birth of Jesus Christ, and the suffering Mary and Joseph went through before
and after Christ was born. The good news is that the Savior has been born into
those ugly situations and they will turn to good and be transformed.
For those that would open their hearts to allow Christ born in those areas of the
darkness of your life, Jesus has come to heal you, bless you, and be with you.
What lies on those hidden mysteries is a peace that can only be seen with the
eyes of faith. The peace, the angel announced to the shepherd.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, Christmas is an experience of love, peace, and
Joy. Every friendship found is Christmas, every joy shared is Christmas every
conflict settled is Christmas. Every life helped, defended, and promoted is
Christmas. Christmas is not celebrated and forgotten; It is rather, lived every day.
Cast all your worries, fears, and concern unto Christ the Savior, and He will care
for you!
Merry Christmas to each of you and your families, and New Year blessings!