As early as September, radio stations begin playing those all too familiar tunes to signal the most awaited celebration of the year in the Philippines – Christmas. Soon after, the fever of consumerism sinks in because of the lights, decorations and Christmas bazaars around. While a few indulge in overspending and in unnecessary luxuries, many families face the harsh reality of contenting themselves with window shopping, leaving their sons’ and daughters’ dreams just that – dreams. “This is a time of great suffering for me because I am poor,” a father confided to me. Is this what Christmas should be?
The high consumerist mentality attached to Christmas can hinder us from truly living the Season. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). This is Christmas! This is the Good News of the Emmanuel – God with us. He has never ceased dwelling among us since those early days in Nazareth. So the focus should be on God; in what He has done for us; in what He is doing and calling us to do. He is the reason for the Season and He continues to be present in the world. Sometimes, however, it is hard for us to recognize God’s presence in us, in the Church and in the world. We may be blinded by the sufferings, wars, injustices, lost dreams…but we risk also being blinded by our riches, comfort, and hardened by the walls of our indifference that blur us from reality.
Every Christmas, little John’s words echo in my heart… We had just finished placing all Christmas decorations around the crib; it all seemed so perfect. The Christmas tree was marvelous and the new star, in full glow of light, gave it a magic touch. But little John, who was only 6-years-old, blurted out: “Jesus is missing!” Yup, he was right. The manger was empty. We had forgotten Jesus. I am sure, in our cribs, we will not forget the little image of Jesus. But, I am not so sure if we are not going to forget Jesus Himself.
The challenge to us is double: on one hand, are we able to recognize Jesus in those considered as the least, the last, and the lost of our society (i.e., the street children, the rejected elderly, the homeless families, the hungry, drug addicts or maybe those who have lost hope in life who may need just our attention, forgiveness, love, a word of encouragement or just a warm smile)? On the other hand, are we able to convey a clear image of the God of Love, Jesus, in our words and deeds? For many, the most important lesson they can learn about God’s love is what they may experience through our selfless gestures and deeds of true love. In Bethlehem, an angel, in exultant joy, proclaimed the Good News to the shepherds: “Today, a Savior has been born to you” (Lk 2:11). To shepherds, not to priests and rulers of the time; to shepherds, not to Scribes and Pharisees, the angel had proclaimed the Good News!
Christmas is a time when we are easily carried away by the glistening ornaments of our Christmas trees, the blinking colorful lights in our streets, or even by the familiar carols heard everywhere. But this familiarity of Christmas should not bring us to lose the Season’s power to move us. Maybe we have to let ‘little John’ disturb our consciences. Let his cry, “Jesus is missing!” be louder than our Christmas routine.
