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This particular Christmas of 2007 was probably one the least spent on in terms of money as far as I could remember. Not by choice but by circumstance… and yet, it was THE best Christmas we, as a family, have ever had!
It gave us an opportunity to truly focus our hearts and minds to the true essence of this season… to reflect on the sole reason why we all celebrate this joyous occasion. We went to our around 6pm and had our Christmas Mass there. Wonderful presentation! The 1st and 2nd “readings” were performed… not just read aloud. The Gospel and all the other parts of the mass were spectacularly executed…! I’ll bet nowhere else in the metro could have probably topped the Christmas mass Elim prepared for us dwellers and family.
It provided for an air of hope and love for the coming of the Savior that evening. The choir (music ministry) and their instruments (complete with timpani, strings… the works!) helped lift the spirits of everyone in the Auditorium… it gave me goosebumps all throughout the event.
And even though we didn’t really have much… it seemed as if there was actually more for all of us! More gifts under the tree… blessings of food… provisions from the Lord who is never late.
Indeed… only when we are truly empty can the Lord our God fill us up entirely. That is what exactly happened this Christmas… everything was made unto good once we surrendered everything to Him.
A little before Christmas eve, we went back to our center since we were invited to celebrate with close friends and dwellers. We had our “Noche Buena” (Midnight Dinner) there and a small program was prepared to the delight of everyone who attended.
Christmas never felt this good. Christmas never had such real and deep meaning to me till this year when I renewed my faith.
I have a whole lot to be thankful for… and it’s all because of the Lord. This new found personal relationship I have with Him has made me truly realize what is and isn’t important in life… what aspects of my life should take a backseat and which He desires that I put more importance to.
We may all know the Nativity story wherein Jesus was born in a manger during this most glorious night… and though I may have celebrated Christmas every single year of my entire existence… only this year has Christmas been truly born in my heart for Christ to rule and reign absolutely over my life.
May you experience the same revelations that the Lord has opened up to me…
May you develop a deep and personal relationship with our God… the kind of relationship that Jesus has so very much longed for from us…
And may everyone realize that the Christmas spirit is experienced not just in December, but each and everyday by those who truly embrace the Lord’s unconditional love.
May Christmas happen in your hearts now and for all eternity.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
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I just realized as I reflected… ever since I really started regular worship and daily prayer, I started to feel a heavier burden towards my surroundings, towards people who are underprivileged and in dire need of the Lord.
I knew that a deeper faith in God would bring about a more sensitive and greater consciousness within me… but only recently did I realize one of the reasons why this has happened…
I went into quiet contemplation and reflected on some of the chapters of the book I read entitled, ““, which talks about effective prayer. And I learned that a prayer that comes from a painful heart is easily heard by God hence making it more powerful.
The pain I am experiencing is a “spiritual reality”… it is actually brought about by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit allows the pain and sorrow to overwhelm me so that I can channel all of it through prayer… thus creating a powerful prayer to the Lord for those in urgent need of God.
Wonderful, isn’t it? The pain is a gift… because it serves a greater purpose.
Praise God for these revelations.
