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

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)

5 Points on the Feast of Christ the King

As Catholic Christians, we all know that Christ is our Lord and King. But as we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King this coming Sunday, let us look further on the great importance of this Holy Day of Obligation and how it came to be:

1. Christians have long celebrated Jesus as Christ, and his reign as King is celebrated to some degree in Advent (when Christians wait for his second coming in glory), Christmas (when "born this day is the King of the Jews"), Holy Week (when Christ is the Crucified King), Easter (when Jesus is resurrected in power and glory), and the Ascension (when Jesus returns to the glory he had with the Father before the world was created). However, Pius XI wanted to specifically commemorate Christ as king, and instituted the feast in the Western calendar in 1925.

2. Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925, in response to growing nationalism and secularism. Just as the Feast of Corpus Christi was instituted when devotion to the Eucharist was at a low point, the Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was most needed. In fact, it is still needed today, as these problems have not vanished, but instead have worsened. Pius hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:

a. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (Quas Primas, 32).

b. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (Quas Primas, 31).

c. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (Quas Primas, 33).

3. Jesus Christ as King is found in various forms in scripture: King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), King of Israel (John 1:49), King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11), King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16), King of the Ages (Book of Revelation 15:3) and Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5).[1]

4. Christ the King Sunday celebrates Jesus' role as King over all. But Jesus is King because he is a servant to all. Jesus' kingship is one of power and might, but also humility. Pope Benedict XVI has remarked that Christ's Kingship is not based on "human power" but on loving and serving others. Some reject the titles of "lord" and "king" for Christ because they believe that such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. However true these statements might be (some kings have been oppressive), Christ's kingship is one of humility and service. Jesus said:

a. You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45, NAB).

b. Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"... Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world,to testify to the truth (John 18:33b, 36-37).

5. Christ the King Sunday used to be celebrated on the last Sunday of October, but since the calendar reforms of 1969, the feast falls on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, which is the Sunday before Advent. It is fitting that the feast celebrating Christ's kingship is observed right before Advent, when we liturgically wait for the promised Messiah (King)

Resources:

http://www.churchyear.net/ctksunday.html

Let Me Be Your Witness

Lord Jesus, let me be Your witness

To proclaim Your Gospel of salvation,

To share your light to those in darkness,

To tell about repentance and conversion.

Lord Jesus, let me be Your witness

To bring Your mercy and compassion

To all in bondage of sin and wickedness:

There's forgiveness and full restoration,

Lord Jesus, let me be Your witness

To share Your love to the unlovable,

The poor, the needy, and the homeless,

The aged, the unwashed, and the disabled.

Lord Jesus, let me be Your witness

To tell of Your gift of a new life of grace

To all who turn away from unrighteousness:

There's freedom from sin and peace-filled days.

+ Walderico A. Valdes (1928-2007)

(Walderico 'Tio Rico' Aquino Valdes was one of our avid contributors during the early years of the website. In commemoration of his third death anniversary today, we are republishing one of his many poems compiled on his book Musings in the Night.)

Your Fate