JESUS should be at the core of our Advent and Christmas celebration, a high-ranking Church official said.
Jaro Archbishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo stressed it is important to put Jesus at the center of our festivities during the Christmas season.
The Advent season, although a time of waiting for the coming of the Lord is being celebrated as if it is already Christmas, observed Lagdameo.
But he lamented saying that in the midst of frenetic activities people tend to forget the reason for the celebration.
“Jesus seems no longer a part of our Christmas parties during the Advent and Christmas season,” Lagdameo noted. “And yet without Jesus, all our festivities, gift-giving, decorations, Christmas carols are without meaning,” he added.
We celebrate Christmas every year, the prelate said, to remind us of God who decided to be with us (Emmanuel).
He said Jesus had embraced the nitty-gritty of human existence, so that man may learn from him how it is to become fully human.
“He lived among us, laughed and cried like us, showing us how it is to be truly human yet totally attuned to God,” said Lagdameo.
Glimpse of hope
In the face of natural calamities and social ills people have to endure nowadays, the season of Advent and Christmas nonetheless instills hope in the hearts of the faithful.
The Advent season―four weeks of preparation before Christmas—is a period of waiting for the coming of the Lord.
“We always ask God to come and change the world… to free our world from poverty, violence and war…to make us more concerned of other people, our environment and country,” Lagdameo said
“Our prayer for the season of advent is come Lord Jesus, be with us… heal our land,” he added.
Materialistic mentality
Not a few Church leaders have called on the faithful not to lose sight of the reason for the season.
Without understanding the reason of the celebration, then it become shallow and materialistic, Lagdameo said.
Kalookan bishop Deogracias Iniguez earlier noted how commercialized the celebration of Christmas has become.
Just recently the Holy Father made the same observation in his address to the pilgrims gathered at St. Peter’s Square on December 9.
He urged them to open their hearts to welcome God and not allow the materialistic mentality to dominate their hearts. Reflecting on the day’s gospel, he said: “Through the Gospel, John the Baptist continues to speak through the centuries, to each generation.”
“His clear and harsh words, I agree, are much healthier for us, men and women of our time, where the way of life and frequent perception of Christmas unfortunately suffers from a materialistic mentality,” the pope said.
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