A Blessed and Prayerful Christmas

This Christmas is turning out to be a Christmas like no other. Our countrymen in Mindanao are suffering from the effects of Sendong.

In this past week, individuals I personally know have either passed away or are critically ill. There have been more reasons to pray and the search for the Christmas spirit can be quite a challenge.

Such situations though have given more opportunities for reflection, for quiet time, and for realizing that everything in life is grace.

Looking back to the first Christmas, the situation was not perfect. There was no room at the inn. A child was born, not in an atmosphere of plenty and parties, but in a manger, a seemingly imperfect place for the delivery of a child. The inappropriate situation though was made perfect not by the way things were but by God's love and by obedience to God's will and great plan.

This season, I wish all of you a blessed Christmas no matter what your circumstances. For those who may be unhappy or suffering, I offer prayers for your intention that others may help ease your burdens and above all, that the Light that shone on that first Christmas continue to give you hope despite the visible darkness.

Merry Christmas everybody! Here's to a 2012 filled with God's peace and love.