Word Alive/ Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD—Phil. News

Many of us have different perceptions about this holiday’s celebration.

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Father Bel San Luis         

Have a meaningful celebration

               There’s an amusing story about abalikbayan who invited his two friends to his hotel room in Makati for a reunion. When they were about to enter the elevator, a brownout occurred, forcing them to take the staircase.

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               But it would be a long climb because the balikbayan's room was on the 35th floor! To divert their attention, they agreed to relate stories by rotation about the happiest experience of their lives to be followed by the saddest. Halfway up the hotel building, they completed narrating their happiest experiences.

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               Now they began relating their saddest. As they reached the 34th floor and were running out of breath, it was the turn of the balikbayan to relate his saddest story.

               "Nahihiya ako" (I'm ashamed), he said looking worried. "Huwag na lang, baka magalit kayo" (I'd better not. You might get mad), he insisted.

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               "No, we won't," the two badgered. "Okey,” he said, trying to  avoid their searching gaze. "Alamninyo, nakalimutan ko ang susi ng kwarto sa counter sa baba!" (You know, I forgot the key to my room at the counter downstairs!). After climbing that far!

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               Yes, we’re celebrating Christmas again. And the key to all our celebration is Jesus the Savior. It would be a bleak and sad Christmas, indeed, if we we’ve forgotten the key to a meaningful celebration—the “reason for the season.”

               Many of us have different perceptions about this year's Christmas celebration.

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               Some will say, “It's not a happy because of the few gifts I received.” For  countrymen who‘re still reeling from the devastating floods in Central Luzon brought about by super typhoons, it's a bleak Christmas.

               Still others say, “A promising business failed, a brother died unexpectedly or a mother or father working abroad can't come home for Christmas.”

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               Christmas would, indeed, be a lot happier if times were better or didn’t have those painful experiences. Still Christmas this year--and every year—will always be happy. And the reason is because of the joyful reality that Christ came into our world.

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               When the pessimist in us is tempted to cry out: "Look what the world has come to!" We should rather say: "Look what has come to the world!"

               "God so loved the world that he sent his only-begotten Son." God did not send an angel or a heavenly proxy but His very own Son! (Jn 3,16).

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               Let’s thank the Lord for giving us this undeserved Gift. But let’s reciprocate that Gift by loving and reaching out to people as He did.

               Consider this, too: The Son of God, the Creator of the Universe came through the backdoor of his own creation, poor and bereft of material wealth.

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               Isn't Christ telling us that greatness and true happiness are  not measured in worldly terms?

               Peace, kindness, love, understanding--these are the unworldly things that make Christmas truly "happy," "merry" and meaningful.

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                 THE LIGHTER SIDE. I’ve never realized how bad the economy was until I spoke to Sta. Claus on the phone. During our chat, I asked: “How’s reindeer Rudolph?”

                 He said, “Delicious!”

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There are four stages in a man’s life. First, when he believes in Sta. Claus. Second, when he doesn’t believe in Sta. Claus anymore. Third, when he is Sta. Claus. Fourth, when he looks like Sta. Claus.

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