By Evelyn Jock
SANDAKAN – After weeks of anticipation during the season of Advent, the faithful have completed a journey marked by faith and hope. It was a time of waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promises, trusting that He would lead His people through moments of darkness and uncertainty. This Christmas, the Church proclaims the joyful truth that God has come to set His people free. In Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, the world receives the Love of God, a beautiful and true gift offered to all.
The Christmas Eve mass started with the solemn blessing of the Manger and the unveiling of the baby Jesus. Born in a humble manger, surrounded by the dirt and smell of a stable, is God’s choice as he enters the world. Mary and Joseph were not deterred by the messiness of the setting, and while the animals were out in the fields that night, the simplicity and quiet of the manger spoke deeply of humility. This humble scene becomes a powerful metaphor for life itself, reflecting our human condition with all its imperfections and struggles.
Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom presided over the Christmas Eve Mass, with Fr Thomas Makajil concelebrating. In his homily, Bishop Julius invited the faithful to reflect on an important question: What is the manger of our life like? The manger symbolises our own lives often marked by family challenges, broken relationships, financial difficulties, personal imperfections, and moments when we may have drifted away from God.
Yet, despite all this, God loves us. To redeem us, God chose to become one of us in Emmanuel; God with us. He is present in our lives each day, walking with us through our joys and our struggles.
So, how do we celebrate Christmas if we ourselves are that manger? We celebrate Christmas with grateful hearts; open, humble, and ready to receive God. We celebrate by welcoming Christ into our lives as they are, trusting in His love, mercy, and saving grace. When we are united with Christ, our burdens become light.
The humility of Mary and the kindness and gentleness of Joseph should inspire us to live out these virtues with courage and enthusiasm. For when Christ is born in our hearts, we embody the Lord of that manger. We are also called to be like the shepherds who encountered Christ at the manger and went forth to proclaim the Good News to others. In the same way, we too are invited to proclaim Christ in our words and actions.
We can also be like the star that guided the Three Kings, bringing hope to others and leading people to the Lord, the true King who sacrificed so much for us. As we reflect on how we come to this Eucharistic Celebration, we are reminded that after tonight, we are sent forth to take on the role of the Kings by offering gifts to others. Like the King who offered incense which is symbol of Prayer, we are called not to neglect our personal daily prayers. And like the King who offered myrrh, a symbol of suffering, we are invited to accompany one another in times of pain-supporting, comforting, and visiting those who suffer. This is how we are called to truly celebrate Christmas-the Birth of Christ. Jesus, our Emmanuel, will guide and assist us, strengthen us, reach out to us, and transform us into his true followers. – dospo
