Merry Christmas!

The Star of Bethlehem

The most common symbol of Christmas in the Philippines is the Star of Bethlehem, commonly called “parol.”  It may have originated in Mexico with the “pinyata,” which is a fragile, pineapple-shaped jar of clay, filled with candies and sweets and hanged in the ceiling.  It is used in a game for children, “breaking the pot,” played during Christmastime.    This “pinyata” was introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, and it evolved into the “parol” as we see it today.  

Let us read now from the Gospel of Matthew the visit of the wise men from the east.  It is in this story that the Star of Bethlehem is mentioned.  

^NJB Matthew 2:1 After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east ² asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.' ³ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. ⁴ He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They told him, 'At Bethlehem in Judaea, for this is what the prophet wrote: ⁶ And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.' ⁷ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared ⁸ and sent them on to Bethlehem with the words, 'Go and find out all about the child, and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.' ⁹ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ The sight of the star filled them with delight, ¹¹ and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. ⁹ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ The sight of the star filled them with delight, ¹¹ and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. ¹² But they were given a warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

          This story that we just read may be entitled “The Discovery of the Child.”  The wise men discovered the child Jesus because of the guidance of a star.  In ancient times, a unique star heralded the birth of a great man.  Some scholars say that the star may have been a comet and the wise men were astrologers.  They even identified the comet to be Halley’s Comet which appeared on October in the year 12 A.D.

The Star may symbolize our faith.  Through our faith, we discover Jesus.  Through faith, we encounter Him.  Another meaning of the Star of Bethlehem is given by Pope Benedict XVI.   “Christ is the star that has risen for us…  To look at the star means receiving light and giving light, radiating in the world around us the light that we have received, so that I can provide orientation to others too,” he wrote.  Looking at the star, that is, looking up to Jesus, allowing ourselves to be enlightened, transformed by Him and rejoicing in Him – this is the meaning of Christmas!  Then, sharing that joy and peace with others – this too is the meaning of Christmas!  This is what the Star of Bethlehem may teach us. 

December 21, 2012 - End of the World?

RH Bill Approved

No Place in the Inn

It was really disappointing – the approval of the RH Bill on second reading at the House of Representatives! In any case, its passage does not change the fact that it’s an anti-life bill, noting several of its provisions, and those who approved it, knowingly or unknowingly, are anti-life. We thank the 104 lawmakers who stood by us.

It had been a long struggle. We have held several symposia, conferences, and prayer rallies to make people understand the issue in the light of Gospel-values. We had to bear with the attacks of politicians and the media against the Church, her faith and the clergy. One touching experience here in Baguio was a rally one stormy day last September. I expected only a handful to be present, but a lot of people turned out, braving the rain, the wind and the cold, enough to fill the Cathedral for the Holy Mass. How little faith I had!

Well, we won’t give up the struggle. How can we? We can’t lie. We have to stand for the truth! We have to preach in and out of season. Contraception is intrinsically evil and opens the door to abortion and the culture of death. We have enough evidence to substantiate this claim. On the other hand, RH Bill proponents claim they aim to improve the life of the poor and women. The truth, considering the reasoning and pressure of international governments and groups, is that the RH Bill discriminates the poor and women. The poor are seen by these people as eyesores to be eliminated and women, playthings to be used.

In the Christmas story, remember Joseph and Mary looking for a decent place for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. There was no place for them in the inn, so they had to be content with a manger. Just imagine the anxiety, humiliation, and difficulties of Joseph and Mary. Yet, we could also sense their trust in God who brings light out of darkness, good out of evil, victory out of defeat. (God’s ways and criteria are so different from man). On the lowly manger was laid the Savior of the world!

Last Wednesday, Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, many Catholics in Baguio and in the whole country held prayer vigils, Holy Masses and rosary rallies. (The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is considered throughout the Catholic world as a symbol of “openness to life.) For sure, all these prayers and sacrifices will not be in vain! At the moment, we feel like Joseph and Mary, anxious, humiliated, and tested in our faith. There is “no place for us in the inn,” that is, the values we stand for are rejected. We have then to be satisfied with a manger; that is, trusting in God’s mysterious ways. Then, we will see!

Let’s continue praying and making sacrifices. We continue witnessing to the “culture of life.” We continue reaching out to the poor and suffering, especially now to our fellow Filipinos in Mindanao. They are still suffering from the effects of Typhoon Pablo. May this Christmas season strengthen our faith!

Baguio Midland Courier 
December 16, 2012

Advent is Here

Dear Friends,

It’s been some months now since I last wrote you.  I hope you forgive me!  Last October till November, I travelled to Europe with a group for a pilgrimage.  The occasion was the Canonization of Pedro Calungsod in Rome.  He’s now our second canonized Filipino saint, the first, being St. Lorenzo Ruiz.  I’m enclosing some pictures, for these can tell you more.

In the meantime, I do hope and pray you’re fine!  The cold weather is now with us; so take care of yourself and others too.  Especially here in Baguio, put more clothing in the evening and often drink something warm, coffee, tea or plain water. 

We’re now in the Advent Season, a liturgical time to prepare for Christmas.  We need to pray more and make an effort to change for the better.  Let’s allow the good Lord to pour His love on us!

Fr. Andy Cosalan

December 16, 2012