Veritas PH

The WORD. The TRUTH.

A Christmas prayer to be a Christmas to others too

SHARE THE TRUTH

 335 total views

The Lord Is My Chef Christmas Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Christmas Eve, 24 December 2022
Isaiah 9:1-6 ><}}}}*> Titus 2:11-14 ><}}}}*> Luke 2:1-14

Christmas is the busiest season for us priests. How ironic that as we keep on reminding the people to prepare more on the spiritual aspect of this most loved season, we priests are also caught in all the rush and busyness of Christmas, beginning with the Simbang Gabi and Misa de Gallo and other parish concerns.

But, God gives us the grace to hurdle all difficulties of sleeping late, rising early and in between, praying as we prepare for our homilies. Thank you too for your appreciation and prayers for us priests. Forgive us when sometimes we get too touchy this week for lack of sleep.

As usual, I woke up early today to pray and prepare for Christmas but unfortunately, I felt like waking up on the wrong side of the bed, feeling grouchy. Most of all, so dried in prayer. Yet, God is so merciful after being silent before him before noon, I just felt writing this prayer interspersed with my reflections of the scriptures which I have been praying over since Wednesday.


Dearest sweet Jesus:
I feel agitated.
Or excited?
So many things are coming
and filling me at this moment;
I could not be still to find you,
to experience you.
Come, Lord Jesus,
So that I may share you
with others!

Let me be your Christmas too
by being Your presence to others, 
myself as a gift and present especially
to those grieving for the loss of a loved one
during this difficult years of the pandemic;
let me be your Christmas and presence,
myself as a gift and present to those nursing
fresh wounds or wounds that would not heal
because they are so deep and painful;
let me be your Christmas to those with nothing
this Christmas Day except their very selves
with that firm faith and fervent hope in you, 
Lord Jesus, by being small and fragile like you
on the manger in Bethlehem.

How lovely is Luke’s presentation of the first Christmas, of Jesus Christ coming in a time of history that is so troubled, so inhospitable especially for children.

Just like today with this ongoing pandemic made worst by the many wars going on that have triggered so many other difficulties and sufferings, from poverty to homelessness. Yet, it is the most beautiful setting of Christ’s coming set at the background of many leaders feeling they are the savior of the world or of their country just like the Roman emperor at the time of his birth. In all their “larger than life” portrayal of themselves, there is Jesus Christ in the most ordinary yet powerful truth of God among us – coming as an infant, coming and starting small!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of Bethlehem…with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-4, 5-7

We need not be famous nor have all the power and wealth to change this world. We all just have to be our true selves, little “earthlings” because in our being small when Jesus comes. We do not have to live in luxuries nor be in the cities or any country. Just be where we are, in our simplicity and humanity where Christ comes to fill us because he is God’s Firstborn in whom everything is created for him, with him and in him as St. Paul had noted.

Inasmuch as God believes in us by entrusting to us his Son Jesus Christ, let us believe also in God truly that he will work miracles in us, with us and through us! That is why Jesus came.


Let me be your Christmas to others, Jesus:
I may not be able to wrap any gift this Christmas,
let my arms and smiles wrap others in a hug
so they may experience your warmth and loving presence;
let me be your Christmas to others, Jesus,
by sharing food, and being the food myself to
those hungry and thirsty to give them strength 
not only in body but also in soul;
I do not know how to bake cookies 
and other goodies but, still make me your Christmas
to others by sharing your joy and kindness with them
so we could have memories of my love 
no matter how imperfect it may be;
most of all, dear Jesus, let me be your Christmas light
this Christmas for others especially those in the darkness
of sin and evil, depression and confusion,
helplessness and despair, isolation and alienation,
of festering anger and recurring painful memories.

We have been through a lot of so many things these past three years. It is God’s will that since the pandemic started in 2020 that this time, we celebrate Christmas face-to-face, which is what Christmas is essentially all about – the Son of God coming to us in flesh to experience Father personally.

Christmas is a story of encounters, of God meeting persons, real people like me and you.

Jesus came as a baby so that we could easily and lovingly receive him as he entrusts himself to our love and care and protection. So many things have happened to us since 2020 but hey, we are still alive, still here celebrating Christmas. Let us dwell in this joy of Jesus coming to us so we may also share him with others still sulking in all the negative vibes brought by COVID-19.

May we imitate his Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary who “kept all these things, reflecting them in her heart” (Lk. 1:19) for it is in our hearts where Jesus comes daily.

How sad that with all the experiences we have had these years of pandemic that we lose sight of its meaning that amid all the darkness and hostilities of this world, Jesus surely comes to save us!


Dearest Jesus,
let me be your Christmas to others:
make me firm in my conviction and faith in you
"rejecting godless ways and worldly desires
by living temperately, justly and devoutly" (Titus 2:12);
let me be your Christmas,
be born in me every day as I strive
to follow you even to the Cross
so that "the people who walked in darkness
may see your great light to experience peace"
(Isaiah 9:1, 5) when I say your words
and do your works.  Amen.

A blessed Merry Christmas, everyone!

Be a Christmas to others too!

ads
ads
2
3
4
previous arrow
next arrow

Veritas Editorial

Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual

Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual

President of Radio Veritas

Hindi biro ang karahasan at kapansanan

 4,520 total views

 4,520 total views Mga Kapanalig, umani ng batikos si Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa dahil sa kanyang insensitibong komento sa itsura ni Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña. Kasama si Reprepresentaive Cendaña sa grupong nag-endorso ng unang impeachment complaint laban kay VP Sara Duterte. Kilala namang malapít na kaalyado ng mga Duterte si Senador Bato. Kinutya ng

Read More »

Para sa mga isinasantabi at hindi napakikinggan

 12,354 total views

 12,354 total views Mga Kapanalig, bilang mga mananampalataya, tayo ay inuudyukang “ipagtanggol… ang mga ‘di makalaban, ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan… at igawad ang katarungan sa api at mahirap,” gaya ng sabi sa Mga Kawikaan 31:8-9.  Ano ang itsura nito sa araw-araw?  Makikita ito sa mga estudyanteng pinoprotektahan ang kanilang kaklase mula sa mga bully, sa mga

Read More »

May katarungan ang batas

 16,309 total views

 16,309 total views Mga Kapanalig, sinasabi sa mga panlipunang turo ng Simbahan na sa isang demokratikong estado, ang mga may pulitikal na kapangyarihan ay nananagot sa taumbayan. Nakasaad din ang prinsipyong ito sa ating Saligang Batas: ang mga pampublikong gampanin o opisina ay mula sa tiwala at kapangyarihan ng taumbayan. Ito ang tinutungtungan ng mga nagsampa

Read More »

Filipino Voters

 30,855 total views

 30,855 total views Matapos mapaltalsik sa panunungkulan ang diktaduryang rehimen ng dating pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Sr., sa pamamagitan ng makasaysayang “EDSA people power” bloodless revolution kung saan may malaking bahagi ang Radio Veritas, Ang Radyo ng Simbahan.. Nawakasan nating mga Pilipino ang martial law at rehimeng Marcos noong January 17,1981 at nai-akda ang 1987 Philippine constitution

Read More »

Anti Agri-Cultural Smuggling Act Of 2016

 36,972 total views

 36,972 total views Ang Republic Act (RA)10845 ay nire-repeal ang RA 12022 o Anti Agricultural Sabotage Act. Kapanalig, bago ma-repeal ang RA 12022 ng RA 10845 may naparusahan na ba sa mga lumabag sa batas na mga cartel at smugglers ng agricultural at fisheries products? Marami na tayong batas laban sa mga rice cartels at profiteering,

Read More »
catholink
Shadow
truthshop
Shadow

Related Story

Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

From our “ark” of life into God’s “house of mercy”

 60 total views

 60 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 19 February 2025 Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 <*0000>< + ><0000*> Mark 8:22-26 Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I really wonder, dear God, how it felt to be inside Noah’s Ark for

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Praying for more understanding

 59 total views

 59 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 18 February 2025 Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 <*000>< + ><000*> Mark 8:14-21 Photo by author, Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio, Zambales, October 2024. When he became aware of this he

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Our quest for signs & occasions of sin

 60 total views

 60 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 17 February 2025 Genesis 4:1-15, 25 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 8:11-13 Photo by author, DRT, Bulacan, November 2024. How interesting are your words today, O God our loving Father,

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Magnanimous Jesus

 990 total views

 990 total views The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, 16 February 2025 Jeremiah 17:5-8 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 ><}}}}* Luke 6:17, 20-26 Photo by Haley Black on Pexels.com After the call of his first disciples last Sunday, Jesus went

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Our shameless nakedness & deafness

 1,533 total views

 1,533 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Memorial of Sts. Cyril (Monk) & Methodius (Bishop), 14 February 2025 Genesis 3:1-8 ><0000′> + ><0000′> + ><0000′> Mark 7:31-37 Photo by author, 14 August 2024. On this most joyous day when most hearts has only

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

God hears us

 1,932 total views

 1,932 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 13 February 2025 Genesis 2:18-25 ><0000′> + ><0000′> + ><0000′> Mark 7:24-30 Photo by author, Fatima Ave., Valenzuela City, July 2024. Your words today, O Lord, are very striking:

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Remembering, returning to Eden

 2,295 total views

 2,295 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 12 February 2025 Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17 ><000′> + ><000′> + ><000′> Mark 7:14-23 Photo by author, sunrise in Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024. Bring me back, Lord to Eden

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Jesus our water of healing in Cana & Lourdes with Mary.

 2,484 total views

 2,484 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes & World Day of Sick, 11 February 2025 Isaiah 66:10-14 <‘000>< + ><000’> + <‘000>< + ><000’> John 2:1-11 Photo by author, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Bignay, Valenzuela City,

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

In the beginning…

 2,484 total views

 2,484 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Memorial of St. Scholastica, Virgin, 10 February 2025 Genesis 1:1-19 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 6:53-56 Photo by author, sunset in Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024. Blessed are you, God our loving Father in giving

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Being “caught” by Christ to catch for Christ

 2,482 total views

 2,482 total views The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, 09 February 2025 Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 ><}}}}*> Luke 5:1-11 Photo by author, sunrise at the Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017. In my almost

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Remaining in Jesus

 3,493 total views

 3,493 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II First Friday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, 07 February 2025 Hebrews 13:1-8 ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> Mark 6:14-29 Photo by Mr. Gelo Carpio Nicolas, January 2020. Keep me faithful and true to you, Jesus because you

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Praying for discipline (and for those with breast cancer)

 3,497 total views

 3,497 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr, 05 February 2025 Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 6:1-6 Photo by author, Sakura Farm, Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024. Today dear Lord, I pray for

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Following Jesus, touching Jesus

 3,495 total views

 3,495 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 04 February 2025 Hebrews 12:1-4 ><]]]]’> + ><]]]]’> + ><]]]]’> Mark 5:21-43 Photo by author, sunrise at the Sea (Lake) of Galilee, the Holy Land, 18 May 2019. When

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

When God gives us that proverbial “pat on the shoulder”

 4,627 total views

 4,627 total views The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop & Martyr, 03 February 2025 Hebrews 11:32-40 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 5:1-20 Photo by author, Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024. Thank you, dear Father in heaven for making me

Read More »
Latest Blog
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II

Jesus our light & fulfillment

 4,636 total views

 4,636 total views The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 02 February 2025 Malachi 3:1-4 ><}}}}*> Hebrews 2:14-18 ><}}}}*> Luke 2:22-40 “Presentation at the Temple” painting by Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna done around 1455; Mary holding Baby Jesus while

Read More »

Latest Blogs

Scroll to Top