"Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down upon the heavens and the earth?" (Ps 113[112], 5ff.)

God dwells on high, yet he stoops down to us...

He stoops down -- he himself comes down as a child to the lowly stable, the symbol of all humanity's neediness and forsakenness. He becomes a child and puts himself in the state of complete dependence typical of a newborn child. The Creator who holds all things in his hands, on whom we all depend, makes himself small and in need of human love.

For nothing can be more sublime, nothing greater than the love which thus stoops down, descends, becomes dependent.

(Excerpts from the homily of Pope Benedict XVI on Christmas Day)

"And the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Jn 1:14

Jesus came to us as a little child, so vulnerable and utterly dependent on the care of Joseph and Mary.

Who can look at the innocent face of a defenseless child and be not moved by the innocence that is reflected there? The sight of an infant gurgling with innocent laughter truly warms the heart. No wonder a child is often referred to as a bundle of joy, a blessing to the family.

Hence it is truly unthinkable that abuses can happen and be inflicted to an innocent child. But sadly, such things happen in our world today.

Jesus, the Son of God had chosen to come to us as a little infant. By embracing our humanity he wants us to realize how much he loves us and how far he would go for that love. But it is a kind of love that trusts and puts ahead the good of the loved one.

As we look at the little child in the manger, we can't but marvel at the unconditional love God has for us. May this love move us to reach out to others, especially to the little ones, both in spirit and stature, on this season of Christmas, for it is to them that the Good News of salvation was first proclaimed. Merry Christmas!

Jesus comes to us as the Prince of Peace

Peace is the message of Christmas.

Jesus comes to us as the prince of peace. He comes to bring unity into our world torn by so much strife.

In his Christmas message just released yesterday, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales said that the message of Christmas has to be repeated over and over again in order to make it sink deeply into our consciousness, that it may become part of us.

Peace has never become so elusive as it is now. Countries at war with one another; ethnic groups locked in armed conflict; families separated because of economic reasons; relationships between friends that has gone sour because of misunderstanding…

The recent bombing in Iligan was a testament on how elusive the attainment of peace can be. It happened just few months after armed clashes between government forces and Muslim separatist rebels that resulted to loss of lives and properties. The people have not yet recovered fully from the trauma caused by displacement and loss of loved ones, and again this bombing happened which also claimed lives and wounded scores of civilians.

We all long for peace, for understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, but we fail to do our share in the pursuit of peace.

Cardinal Rosales said peace is only possible for the person who loves. Indeed, even how much we long for peace if our hearts are full of hatred and selfishness, peace will remain an elusive dream.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Lk 2:14

We really have to sincerely seek peace if we want it to become a reality in the here and now.

Here we are challenged to put ahead the good of others before our own just as Jesus did. He became one like us, stepping on our shoes, showing us that everything is possible to a person who loves…

As the song goes, “the real meaning of Christmas is the giving of love everyday.” And where there is love peace is not far behind.