What Does the Nativity Mean to You?

By Grace B. Madrinan

Nativity scene.  Belen.  You see it everywhere during Christmas season. But due to consumerism, sometimes it becomes nothing more but a Christmas ornament.

 

But what does it really mean to us Christians?  Below are some of our friends who shared photos of their own Nativity scene and what it means to them.

 “Jesus is the reason for this season. A Savior is born.  Christmas is not the same without the Nativity scene in every home” - Ningning Del Rosario, Las Pinas City, Philippines

“"The Belen reminds us of Jesus uniting all people to His presence; sharing His life to bring to our family light, healing, peace, hope, happiness, and love." - Pietro Albano, Nottingham, United Kingdom

“I am always in expectation of the best gift - our Savior. I know He is there all the time, but Christmas is the time when all the decors and our belens come out of their boxes; it is a good reminder to reflect, contemplate and be refreshed too.

I am reminded of forgiveness - both giving and receiving. Our savior is the most humble being born in a manger and I relate that to the humility we need to be able to give and ask forgiveness from those whom we have hurt or those who have wronged us.

Finally, it reminds me of family - dad, mom and a baby (even the sheep are like our pets at home). I especially miss my dad who passed away last year. It reminds me of the love that keeps a family strong despite distance, despite challenges and trials.”

-       Celine Yap-Mendoza, Penang, Malaysia

For me, the Belen reminds me of the simplicity of the Christmas season.  When everyone is out in chaos looking for and even worrying about what to give or receive this Christmas, the Nativity is a reminder of what matters most – family and love. 

May this season be a joyous one no matter where we are. Merry Christmas!

Belen, a Filipino Nativity scene

Belen, a Filipino Nativity scene

Star-shaped plastic lanterns 

With flashing multicolored lights,

A lighted paper star atop a stable, 

Bedecked bamboo Christmas tree close by,

Two angels heralding halleluiahs: How simple 

A palm-roofed Belen yet sharing so much joy!

       Midnight darkness is dispelled 

       By a new born babe in swaddling clothes; 

      Gently lifted up from straw-lined manger, nursed

      And coddled by a maiden mother;

      Resplendent starlight beams on him --

      He is the Mystery of the ages.

Is this tiny babe in dreamless sleep the Light 

That overcomes the gloom of sin and evil? 

Is he the One who is to come? 

The fulfillment of ancient prophetic oracles?

UnendingLove, God-hero, Prince of Peace? 

How frail a Babe, this dream of eons past!

       In truth deep faith ne’er fails,

      He of the virgin maiden is Word eternal,

      God incarnate into our warped humanity,

      The Light that darkness cannot dispel,

      Light of the world, Hope of us all, God-with-us,

Receive and share with those in need

the boundless love of the Child, Christ and Lord.

A blessed Christmas to you 

And to all your loved ones!

+Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, O.M.I.

Archbishop Emeritus

Archdiocese of Cotabato, Philippines

5 Points about Advent

Before we even reach Christmas, we first step into the Advent season. Unfortunately, we got caught up with our Christmas list, not knowing the significance of this season. In this week’s 5 Points, we discuss more what Advent is all about.

1.     Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and embracing four Sundays. The first Sunday may be as early as 27 November, and then Advent has twenty-eight days, or as late as 3 December, giving the season only twenty-one days.

2.     The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and thus refers to the coming of Christ. This refers to the following:

a.     our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas

b.    coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion;

c.     and to His Second Coming at the end of time.

3.     During season of Advent, also known as a "little Lent",  the following can be observed as signs of the penitential nature of Advent:

a.     The traditional color of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit.

b.    If the church normally has flowers or plants near the altar, those have been removed.

c.     The Gloria ("Glory to God in the highest"), one of the most festive hymns of the Mass--is not sung.

d.    The Advent wreath is placed in a visible place very near the altar.

4.     The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches where five candles are typically arranged: three purple candles, one pink candle and a white candle in the middle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

a.     On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

b.    Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.

c.     On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.

d.    The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

e.     On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

5.     Although the traditional color of Advent is purple, the priest will likely wear rose vestments on the third Sunday of Advent. This is known as Gaudete Sunday, because "Gaudete" ("Rejoice") is the first word of the entrance antiphon at that Mass. The rose vestments is worn because it is a color that still reminds of the penitential purple, but also has a lightness and joy to it, more of a reminder that Christmas is drawing near.

References:

http://christianity.about.com/od/christmas/qt/adventwreath.htm

http://catholicism.about.com/od/holydaysandholidays/p/Advent.htm

The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ

The Roman Martyrology for Christmas day contains a formal announcement of the birth of Christ in the style of a proclamation. It begins with creation and relates the birth of the Lord to the major events and personages of sacred and secular history. The particular events contained in the proclamation help to situate the birth of Jesus in the context of salvation history.

The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ may be sung or proclaimed after the greeting and introduction of the Christmas Midnight Mass. The Gloria and opening prayer immediately follow the proclamation. (Sacramentary Supplement, pp. 41-44)

Today, the twenty-fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant.

Twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.

Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king; in the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome.

The forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit, and nine months having passed since his conception, was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.

(Magnificat USA LLC)

Christ Reborn!

By Anabelle Balla

It’s almost Christmas! And I am excited! Yes, like a child, I am always excited about Christmas. It is my favourite season of the year. In fact, I always start putting up Christmas decorations every first of September, the start of “ber” months, and start shopping and wrapping gifts as early as October! I just love the happy atmosphere that Christmas brings; the decorations, the smiles, the music, the cool air and all the joyful preparations! Everyone seems happy, full of anticipation!

Waiting for Christmas is like anticipating for the birth of long awaited first baby. As early as first trimester, we start shopping for baby’s things and preparing everything we can think of that the baby will need. Everyone, including friends and relatives are excited to finally see and cuddle the baby. But what makes Christmas more special is the knowledge that it is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Lord our Salvation, our King! Because of Him, God is with us and in us. Because of Him, we enjoy God’s bountiful gifts not only during Christmas but all days of our lives.

Christmas is about Christ, it is for Christ. It is the season when I see the “Christ” within us come alive! It’s like Christ being reborn in each one of us. Everyone becomes Christ to others, thinking what to give, what to offer, what to prepare in order to make someone happy. It is the time when most of us deliberately do something good to make this occasion special to people around us. Love overflows everywhere! There is “Christ fever” in the air and it is highly contagious!

Catch the Christ fever this season and pass on a good deal of kindness to people around you, so we all enjoy an overwhelming happiness this Christmas!

Prayer
Dear Jesus, I am so glad You were born and became one of us. Thank you so much for offering Yourself so that we may receive God’s most precious gifts – forgiveness and eternal life in heaven.  Happy birthday Jesus!