Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 No 24 | Page 25
December 16 - 31, 2018
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY
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Christmas a season of love,
hope, healing – bishop
“Christmas is a season that
reminds us best of God’s eternal
love and lasting hope for mankind,”
a Catholic Church leader said as
the nation marks Christmas day.
“With Christmas, we are
reminded that God loves us and
wants to save us. He sent His Son
to save us. Jesus was born for us,”
said Balanga Bishop Ruperto C.
Santos.
“With God’s eternal love for man,
He gave us lasting hope, a never-
ending chance to be saved. That
even if we turn away from God,
He never closes the door on us
despite our shortcomings and sins,
God still believes in our goodness.
In our life, there is always hope
because God is our hope. Always
remember that no one is hopeless.
No one is useless. No life is ever
wasted. There is always hope in
life. Hope in God alone and not
on guns or gold nor on unreliable
leaders,” Santos said.
Christmas, the prelate said, is
also a season to share.
“God cares for us immensely thus
a Savior was given to us. Jesus was
born. This Christmas, let us extend
God’s care and compassion to
others. Let us share and give not
only from our excesses. For those
seeking public office, give not for
media mileage but from a sincere
heart that genuinely desires to
help,” Santos stressed.
Healing is also a part of the
Christmas season, the Church
leader said.
“Lastly, Christmas is a season of
healing. With the coming of Jesus,
He restores our broken relationship
with God. Jesus redeems us from
our own selfishness and sins.
The best Christmas gift for our
country is healing. Let us heal our
country from irresponsible and
materialistic mining, and illegal
logging. Heal our people from
corrupt and immoral officials. Let
us heal our society from senseless
killings, from fake news, from the
proliferation of illegal drugs and
gambling. Let us heal our children
from abusive and offensive
languages and from scandalous
jokes,” Santos said.
Meanwhile, Roman Catholics
from around the world will await
Pope Francis’ sixth ‘Urbi et Orbi’
(To the city of Rome and to the
world) papal address and apostolic
blessing at noon on Christmas
day (7 p.m. Manila time) from
the central balcony of the Saint
Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Part
of the blessing is the remission of
all temporal punishment due to
sin through a plenary indulgence
attached to the Papal blessing.
The Birth of Jesus
According to tradition, God’s
eternal plan for man’s redemption
is centered on the Savior’s Birth.
Saint Paul in Galatians 4:45 said,
“When the fullness of time came,
God sent forth His Son, born of
a woman, born under the law, so
that He might redeem those who
are under the law, that we might
receive the adoption as sons.”
The Birth of Jesus to the Blessed
Mother during the days of Caesar
Augustus, the emperor of Rome
who ruled from 27 B.C. to 14
A.D., was a fulfillment of an Old
Testament messianic prophecy.
In the Scriptures, there are two
accounts, namely Matthew 1:18
and Luke 1:26 and 2:40, narrating
the events surrounding the Birth
of Jesus more than 2,000 years
ago.
Also
called
Christmastide,
“Christmas is a celebration of the
Incarnation of the Eternal Word,
the Son of God, and through
this Incarnation, the world is
transfigured and restored,” the
Catholic Church said. (Reprinted:
C. Hermoso, mb.com)
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