First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated December 15, 2008.
The true meaning of Christmas, the true reason for the birth of the Son of God, is often forgotten. Santa Claus is more visible than Jesus in the department stores and malls, in our houses and, worse, in our lives.
We do everything for our loved ones, and that is fine, good, and expected, but we should also consider the others outside of our family — “Jesus’s brother,” the poor people that Jesus mentions in His gospel. Also, being unforgiving is a sign that we don’t have the true spirit of Christmas in our hearts. Remember that God Himself sent His Son, Jesus, to forgive and take away all our sins.
Here are two true stories that could rekindle this forgotten spirit of the holidays.
Boy’s wish
Children will always be the victims of their parents’ problems. The separation of Boy’s parents was one of these problems. It happened when he was still too young to understand the adult world. He grew up with his father and never saw his mother again. Like any ordinary child, he longed for what was missing in his life. He did not even have a picture of his mother to remember what she looked like. She was completely erased from his life as planned.
Boy slept nights in tears, missing the loving touch of a mother, especially when he was sick. Whenever Boy was afraid of something, he did not have a mother to confide in to assure him that everything would be fine and not to be scared because she’s around. Though his father was a very supportive single parent, his job took him to several places and he often had to leave Boy, often with available relatives to watch over him.
Boy wished that one day he would finally meet his real mother and have some good times with her. In Boy’s life during the Christmas season, he made it a point to complete the Simbang Gabi’s nine-day novena masses, for he believed that wishes made during Simbang Gabi will surely come true. Year after year he never failed to attend the Simbang Gabi and make the one wish he deeply desired. Year after more years, tears did not stop falling from his eyes because his wish remained unfulfilled.
Boy, already in his teens, did not lose hope; his wish remained as it was. He never wished for toys or material things, just a love that only a mother can bring. And maybe heaven finally saw Boy in his deep prayer one Simbang Gabi. Two days before Christmas, they had a visitor. There was no need for introductions as this woman was Boy’s mother. Tears of joy fell from Boy’s eyes. Finally his father forgave his mother and let go of the pain that caused the separation, and agreed to start all over again.
Christmas has been so happy in this reunited family since then. After a year and with Christmas is fast approaching, they decided to spend it with their relatives in the province. Boy had never been this happy, having all his loved ones together. He vowed to do everything he could to make sure that that their family will never be apart ever again. Maybe true enough. That fateful night, on their way to the province, the ship they boarded collided with another. Boy and his parents were among the hundreds of missing passengers and were never found. Boy and his parents had one good year together before they all perished. Because of the true spirit of Christmas, which is forgiveness, Boy and his parents were very happy being together in the last days of their lives and, for sure, beyond life in heaven.
A meaningful Christmas
Bored with the usual ways of celebrating the Christmas holidays, my group and I decided to think of something that would make a difference. We all wanted a meaningful Christmas this time, and several ideas came up.
An idea came to me, and I asked, “Who is the reason of the season? Whose birthday is it? What gift should we give? “ The answers were simple. It was Jesus’s birthday and for sure, He doesn’t need any material present.
The Bible gives us a clue to the true spirit of Christmas. When Jesus said, “What you have done to the least of my brother, you have done unto me.” So Jesus wants us to do something for the less privileged. He wants us to be His ambassador on earth, His representative that will do the work.
But what gift can we give to Him that He may need? The scene of the Nativity came to my mind. Mama Mary, Joseph and Jesus in a manger because there was no place for them at that time. That struck me. Shelter (for the poor and needy) — that is what Jesus needed on His natal day!
A shelter for Jesus may be temporary or permanent. The temporary way is to adopt a family for a week or a month this December. We have already been doing this temporary sheltering for the past several years and it’s quite fulfilling. The permanent way could be to build a real house for those who have none, but are worthy enough to be given – meaning, they are poor not because of laziness but opportunities to make a better income are scarce. They should also be trustworthy and industrious members of our society.
I led a group of friends in building a home for the homeless people in the far-flung area of the nearby province of Luzon. Once we found the place and the beneficiary, we again did the impossible. To build a home for Jesus! This kind of a project usually comes from the rich and the famous, people like politicians and those who have more. But I always encourage people, including the poor, to help needier people. In doing so, they will not feel that they are poor, but become worthy of being God’s representative in spite of their own poverty.
Materials and labor came from various friends, acquaintances and believers. Second-hand materials, a P20 donation from a poor friend and, of course, free labor from the construction workers who understood this project as a gift for Jesus. All’s done and the shelter for Jesus is ready for Christmas. He will have a place on His natal day. Not in a manger, but in that home of the poor and in our hearts.
Impossible is not even a word for God. We can accomplish anything. The true love of God is by loving our less fortunate brothers. Remember that true help comes from the people whom we least expect, people who have less in life.
Many of us extend help within our comfort zones — excess that we can dispose of and will not bring us hardship. True help is giving yourself to others so their lives will have a chance to change physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. If you know Christ, then you should know what to do. Spend Christmas with the Birthday Celebrant.
Comments and suggestions may be forwarded to anthonyvivero@yahoo.com and to anthonyvivero@hotmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment