THE REAL ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS

Speaking of Christmas, what comes first in your mind? What topic are you going to discuss if we talk about Christmas? I’m sure Christmas is the most awaited event in the whole year. If we talk of Independence Day, it seems just like an ordinary day to other people. But why Christmas is so different? Try to ask somebody in your neighbourhood what their idea about Christmas is, they will give different answers from other people. Kids may say, receiving of gifts. Some may say outing with friends and some great activities. And others may say a family gathering, or maybe a time to carol and earn some money for business people. But my point to you my readers is “what is the Real Thing why we celebrate Christmas?” Maybe you’ve got already an idea of what it is but my point is actually far deeper than what you have in mind.

Well, I’m not actually against of family gathering or receiving of gifts during Christmas for I do it also. But these things should not be the main thing during Christmas. Straight to the point, we celebrate Christmas in commemorating for the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But that’s not all, “what’s with the birth of Christ that we must celebrate it? Why does He need to be born and what’s His purpose in being born?” These questions must be our main guide in celebrating Christmas.

Answering the question “what’s with the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ”, it is necessary that every man should know what’s in it. Well, allow me to speak in reference with the Holy Bible. First of all, who is the Lord Jesus Christ? If we read the Gospel in the book of John 1:1-3, it speaks of The WORD who was in the beginning created all things and without Him, nothing is created. If we connect it in John 1:14, the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Now, this WORD I speak is the Lord Jesus if we cross refer it in the epistle of Philippians 2:5-8 which says that Christ, who was in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant. Thus, answering our question, the Christ of whom we celebrate its birthday is the God who created all things in the beginning who just took the form of the flesh more than 2000 years ago.

Answering the next question, “why does He need to be born”, we must consider that He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and the WORD who created all things in the beginning. So, in spite of those who He is, why does He need to come down to this sinful and chaotic world? Well, prior to that, I would like to clarify that all people on earth are sinners, admit it or not, as it says in Romans 3:10,23. Though you are the most honest and generous man in the world, God says, you are still a sinner.  I’m not saying it is bad to do good, but if it is goodness that will save mankind, then why does the God who created all things still come down to earth? It’s because goodness is not enough to save us, for we are still sinners. The thing is that we are not called sinners when we sin but we are a born sinner that’s why we sin. And the worst, there is a penalty for our sin. In Romans 6:23, the payment for sin is death.  Death simply means “separation” of which it speaks of two things. First is the separation of the soul in the body which will pass to all men in this world. But the second is the worst. Because of sin, all people are destined to be separated to God eternally, which means we are to go to the place prepared for the devil and his angels. Thus, it is by this reason that Christ came into this chaotic world.

Finally, answering our last question “what’s His purpose in being born”, we must consider His state, our state and who we really are. Christ’s sate is that He is God, our state is that we are sinners condemned to hell. Speaking of His power, He could create another universe better than ours and create another people better than us. But He didn’t, instead, He loved us and came down on this earth to give man the chance to be save from the penalty of sin. He came to ransom us from the paws of hell fire, that’s how he loved and cared for us. However, that doesn’t mean that you are already saved, it is in you to respond to the gift of salvation God is giving you. You need to accept that you are a sinner and repent of your sin. Then believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that He alone is the only way to Heaven(John 14:6) and no other else. Not of religion, nor good works, nor anything else, only Jesus Christ, through FAITH alone. For if it is good works or religion that saves, then the death of Christ is in vain.

Thus, the real essence in celebrating Christmas is to remember how good God is that though we are sinners, He loved us and died for us. But you will never feel the essence of Christmas if you do not repent of your sins and if you do not accept Christ as your LORD(Master/King) and Saviour. So to celebrate Christmas is to live in the life of Christ, making Him our Lord and Saviour. That’s the REAL ESSENCE of Christmas.

"Bus Travel Complications"

If you are traveling through a bus and suddenly, there appeared a complication in it, what would you feel and what would be your reaction?

I have been traveling from Baguio City to San Fernando, La Union every time. Along the way, I have seen several wretched public utility bus on the sides of the highway especially in Sablan, Benguet. If you have heard about the bus which fell at Sablan, that maybe the worst which killed so many passenger, but there were actually many bus accidents that happens in that area.

I traveled recently from Baguio toSan Fernando. The bus was overloaded so I doubted if it could bring us to our destinations and that was already getting dark. But before we reached to Sablan, the bus got some complications that it can’t get us home any longer. Good thing we were on a flat surface so no need to worry. But, to my great surprise, when the passengers heard the complications, they all murmured and rushed out of the bus, though there was no harm done. The bus driver told us to transfer in another bus but I can actually see the faces of the people in great panic and started to say many things that as if we were on a very complicated situation.

Well, I guess the people had already a phobia in traveling in that route especially to those who knew that latest terrible bus accident, that even in a small complication and in a safe place, they panic so much.

"The Hidden Wonders in Natonin, Mt. Province"

I’m sure that God allowed me to exist into this world to enjoy the wonders of His creation. However, those creations have been transformed by human hands into several types of wonders such as technology, household utensils, etc. But experiencing the Wonders of Nature is one of the Highlights of my life.

I was exited back then when my dad told me to go for a little vacation to a place called Natonin, located in the eastern side of Mt. Province in the region of CAR, Philippines. My dad told me that it was his birthplace. Along the way, I was quite intrigued what kind of a place it was and the people living in it.  I have heard that its nearby towns are where headhunters are so I was a little it scared. I asked my dad about it if it’s true and he said yes, but a long time ago. Whew!! I have no worry now going to Natonin.

It was my first time to travel to its direction so I set my eyes watching outside the window. Well, it was a good sight seeing. There I saw some beautiful mountains ranges, thousand acres of vegetation (of which I know is the common source vegetables in Luzon), beautiful rice terraces (but not as good as Banaue Rice Terraces), and most of all, I have seen the Chico River from its starting point flowing like a very long snake as it follows the side of the mountains.

As we entered the road heading to Natonin, the ride is getting tougher. Roads are not cemented and most of it was a zigzag road going up, and a zigzag road going down. I’m sure big landslide happens to that road when it rains. I was a little bit scared honestly when we were on one of those zigzag roads and a cliff below it.

Nevertheless, upon entering the boarders of Natonin, we were heading a little bit upward the mountain. When we reached the top of the road, my eyes was wide open with great surprise. There I saw a very beautiful Rice Terraces set in like a very wide lagoon. It is the most beautiful rice terraces I have ever seen, better than those rice terraces I have seen in the way and no doubt about it, it’s better  than the Banaue Rice Terraces.

I was so amazed that I almost felt a new strength despite the very long tiresome travel. It’s a place located in the sides of the mountains and enclosed again by mountains on the other sides. Well, it’s like a very big and wide lagoon. It was like a hidden treasure in a wild forest. Here are sample pictures:

the other side of that hill was also another set of beautiful Rice Terraces, sorry no to have a picture of it.

these pictures are only focused on the eastern side of the place, not the whole place.

I could say that it was composed of thousands of rice fields set on every sides of the mountain from below the road until the foot of the mountains.

I was privileged to visit Natonin, for I really enjoyed my trip in it. Because once again, I found a beautiful wonders of nature in the Philippines. 

"Loving The Unlovable"

I believe that loving the unlovable is the hardest thing every individual could do. Whether we like it or not, we are all guilty in this. Why? Because everyone of us have people around us whom we don’t like and people who hates us also.

I went for a vacation at Baguio City, Philippines one summer during my High school years and stayed with one of my uncles. Of course, being only a tenant, I need to help in the house chores and so in his business. Well, I was enjoying helping him, together with his workers in business at first. However, as time passes, I became to be much upset with him, he was too bossy and orders things as if we are slaves. Eventually, I turn to hate him because oh his behavior, treating me also as one of his workers rather than a nephew.

I was mad at him for that, I even thought of leaving that time and not to go back to his house anymore but I guess that’s too noticeable of him. So I patiently stayed until the end of the summer. Well, it’s been crucial to my part staying with him for more than a month. I even wonder how far his laborers could stay because of his attitude.

But, to my great amazement, before I left his house at the end of my vacation, my hatred and dislike to him vanished.  The last days of my stay with him was so fun that I even wonder why.  All I knew is that I consistently prayed for him that God will change his behavior towards his laborers as friends and not as slaves.

Well, I didn’t see a change in him at all, but what I noticed is that it’s me whom God changed the heart to love the unlovable as God has also loved me, an unlovable sinner. A reason why He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for me.

Thus, God puts some unlikeable people around us to teach us how to deal with them and love them. "To Love Your Enemy As Thyself".