The birth of Jesus fulfills God’s promises. Christmas celebrates God’s love and forgiveness for humankind. This Christmas, let us share not only gifts, cards, carols, and Noche Buena, but much more. As we greet people with “Merry Christmas”, let us share with them God’s joy and forgiveness. For Christmas greetings, let us exchange words of acceptance and love. Let us also not forget those who are alone, sick abandoned, and poor for whom Christmas will be another day of struggling and suffering. Let us remember the victims of the typhoon Odette (Rai), which passed some days ago through Mindanao and Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, etc.) claiming lives and leaving so many people without a roof over their heads, food, electricity, and water.

May the celebration of His birth, the wonder of His love, and the presence of Emmanuel, God with us, overcome every manifestation of our indifference and transform it into manifestations of our passionate love for Christ and His people.

May Christ’s love touch our hearts this Christmas. May it help us to appreciate the value of every human person – young or old, healthy or sick, born or unborn. May Christ’s love inspire us to create a society where all are treated fairly, where no one goes hungry or in need, and where everybody is honored with dignity due to the children of God.