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Filipinos have maintained a long tradition of venerating the Sto Niño. Pope Innocent XIII approved special liturgical texts for a special feast to honor the Child Jesus on the 3rd Sunday of January.
Along with Magellan’s Cross, the Sto. Niño de Cebu is the oldest surviving Christian artifact in the Philippines. It was a baptismal gift of Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon (Carlos) and his wife, Humamay (Juana) in 1521. It is made of dark wood, depicting the Child Jesus, about 12 inches high, in Spanish imperial robes, a golden crown, and a scepter.
In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi burned Cebu when his efforts at peaceful colonization were rejected. In the ruins of the destruction, a Spanish mariner found the image of the Sto. Niño in a pine box. Ever since its rediscovery (“Kaplag”), the icon is believed to be miraculous. It is one of the most beloved cultural and religious icons in the country.
St. John Paul II recalled this history when celebrating a Mass for families in 1981 in Cebu City: “God’s providence in the Philippines has been truly wonderful. The Christianization that took place in the sixteenth century was not something merely accidental. Divine grace was at work when the people of this region had their first contact with the image of the Santo Niño. It is an important historical fact, rich in religious meaning, that on January 1, 1571, the village kingdom of Sugbu was renamed the “Villa del Santo Niño”, and thus the first city of the Philippines was placed under the patronage of the Child Jesus.
The feast of the Sto. Niño being inextricably linked to the child Jesus confirms that the country has the longest celebration of Christmas. Thus the readings are about his coming: the reading from Isaiah (9:1-6) belongs to that section of the book of the prophet which is called the “book of Emmanuel” which deals with prophesies about the coming Messiah whose coming is pictured as light to those in darkness, a king bringing salvation to his people; which is the fulfillment of God’s plan in Christ (Eph 1:3-6,15-18); who was born of a woman (Gal 4:4), growing, becoming strong, advancing in wisdom and age and favor before God and man (Lk 2:40; 50-51).
Part of his growing up, Mary and Joseph raised him just like in any religious Jewish family observing the Torah including the annual journey to Jerusalem for the Passover. In this episode, he was separated and eventually found after three days. At the confrontation in the temple, Jesus stated something his parents cannot comprehend: “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house”. The word “dei” (δεῖ) “I must be”, explains Jesus’ separation from his earthly parents to be engaged in his Father’s ‘concerns’ or ‘house’. This in general points also as a distinct note of Christian discipleship in the gospel. New bonds in obedience to the Father surpass those of human origins (Lk 11:28f, 8:20). And in Jesus, it further speaks of the necessity to pursue the Father’s work. This compelling engagement of Jesus in God’s salvific plan is a Lucan motif: Lk 24:46; Acts 1:16,21).
The single-minded devotion to the Father’s will is to mark the whole of Jesus’ ministry. For the time being it means his humble submission to his human parents. It is Christ’s obedience that will bring about the planned redemption of God (Phil 2:8).
As we honor the child, Jesus, may our annual celebration lead us to a true allegiance to our King, Messiah, and Savior by imitating his total obedience to the will of the Father and making His “concerns” ours as well. With the Sto. Niño, the symbol of the beginnings of our Christian faith, let us continue the mission of Jesus by bringing others to the faith and rejuvenating those who are already in the faith.
Pit Señor!
