HOW do we prepare for Christmas?
As the Christmas celebration nears, most of us begin adorning our homes with colorful, flickering lights, and Christmas trees.
The food we do not usually eat on regular days are brought to the table to be feasted on. We always make sure we have gifts to give while others also expect to receive it. We tend to spend so much effort on material things.
In his homily during the first Misa de Gallo, Archdiocese of Davao archbishop Romulo G. Valles reminded parishioners on the most significant preparation to take and the true essence of the Yuletide season.
Addressing hundreds of believers at the San Pedro Cathedral on Monday, December 16, the prelate stressed that the season of Advent is an opportunity for people to transform from bad deeds and appease Jesus the moment He comes.
“Kung giingon didto sa Belen, No Smoking, hinaut unta pud nga mag No Smoking na ta. Bawal ang chismosa, dili na pud ta mag-chismis (If God wants us to stop smoking or gossiping, hopefully we stop them),” he jested.
He added, “Mag usab ta sa atong batasan. Mulihok na kita sa kabatasan nga iya sa Belen sa atong Manunubos (We should change our ways and please our Savior).”
He also recognized that it was not easy to change the bad habits people are used to. But he assured that God never condemns but rather sets His eyes on those who need His help the most, bringing all people closer to Him.
“Ang Ginoo mutabang gayud sa pagbag-o kanato kay ang super good news mao ang tinguha sa Dios nga wala gyuy usa kanato nga mawala. Ang matag usa kanato makaapil unta sa kalipay sa gingharian sa Dios (God will help us transform. It is His desire that not one of us will be lost, each one of us share the happiness in His kingdom),” he said.
Drawing heavily the core message of Prophet Isaiah, Valles said, “Ang nindot nga bunga gyud nga kita ready na sa Pasko, ready na musugat sa Ginoo sa Belen sa atong mga kasingkasing, mao ang atong lihok, mao ang atong mga buhat, mao ang atong batasan nga langitnon na (The true sign that we are prepared to welcome God this Christmas is our Godly deeds).”