[reactions+reflections] CHRISTmas

I attended the Christmas Eve mass at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church (OLLC) in Singapore.  At the start of the celebration, and during his homily, the priest reminds us, "It is not Christmas if Jesus is not in your life."  Amen to that.

I have heard of people saying "it's not a happy Christmas for me," or "it's a sad Christmas day."  Well it's normal to experience sadness once in a while or when something unpleasant unexpectedly happens.  But above it all, I hope Christmas is still Christmas for everyone...

I think there's a reason why it's not called GIFTmas or ROMANCEmas or YOURPARTNERmas or YOURFAMILYmas or YOUmas or SANTAmas or YOURWISHESGRANTEDmas or YOURHAPPINESSmas or NOCHEBUENAmas or AGUINALDOmas or MONEYmas.  It's just not about any of those things, first of all.

Although Christmas originated from "Christ's Mass," we can look at it as Christ-mas: more of Christ.  And that is what it should really be, more of Christ.

Celebrating Jesus' birth on this day (though it is most likely not the actual birthdate of Jesus) is a reminder for us of how God loves us so much, that he gave his only begotten Son to live among us, as one of us, and later in his life, to die and be offered as The Most Holy Sacrifice on the Cross to save us all from our sins!  That is really all the gift that should matter: God's gift of salvation in Jesus his Son who became mortal but overcame death by his resurrection.

The priest-celebrator at OLLC also reminded us that Jesus was born at the darkest hour, around midnight - where a lot of sins happen particularly in today's highly urbanized areas.  A lot of crime.  A lot of pre- and extra-marital sex.  And so on.

Jesus was born in the darkest hour because he is to be the Brightest Light, our Salvation, in the midst of all of our sins.  Thus also the highly symbolic "Star of Bethlehem."

That is probably one reason why Christmas is celebrated late in December 25, corresponding to the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (where Jesus was born), when the darkest of nights also occur.  (Daylight is shortest around this time.)

Jesus is our light in the darkest of times.  He is the reason why we should be happy and why we greet others to be happy on Christmas day.

Reflecting on this now, I believe the best way to respond to someone greeting you "Merry Christmas," just as you would respond "You are welcome" when someone tells you "Thank you," is "Thank God for Jesus."  Essentially they are the same greeting.

And thus this should be why Christmas becomes a time for giving - because we are thankful that God gave us Jesus first.  It's not a time for asking for gifts.  We all have already been given the greatest gift of all!

Thank God for Jesus!