Christmas Message

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.” (John 1:5)

 

This is a signal truth forwarded by the gospel reading during this Christmas day. It is an inspiring reminder for us during these dark and still darkening times in our dear country.  It is a strong message of hope in these days of much despair, poverty and misery among us as a people.

Christmas means many different things to many different persons. But one distinct significance of Christmas is always the same and true: the birth anniversary of Christ as the incarnate light that guides us in our continuing search for truth, insistent pursuit of justice and constant longing for peace.

Christmas wherefore calls for our sincere gratitude to God the Father for sending his own Son to be our everlasting light and guide in our day-to-day living. Now when our own country is in one big socio-moral darkness basically due to odious and ominous politics, the more we need Christ to light our path to hope, unity and solidarity.

Sad but true, we have to admit that in our country during these trying times, there is too much lying, stealing and cheating, too much graft and corruption, too much greed for power and wealth, too much abuse of human rights and killing of human lives. In short, there is too much darkness in our minds- even during this Christmas season.

With Christ the light staying with us, the big social darkness brought about by corrupt and corrupting individuals, cannot triumph. Liars, cheats and thieves live and die. Greedy, abusive and vicious individuals come and go. But Christ our light-showing us the way, telling us to the truth and leading us to life – can never be conquered by the dark moral decay now enveloping our national horizon.

Under the banner of Christ the incarnate light, let us continue to watch, to pray and act in order to once again enkindle our faith, hope and love. This way, with Christ and each other, we shall eventually dispel the socio-moral darkness afflicting our present in order to thereafter enjoy a well lighted and enlightening tomorrow.

This way, there is still good reason to greet one another: “Merry Christmas!” Christ the everlasting light… Thank you for coming to us!

    

 +Oscar V. Cruz, D.D.

   Archbishop

   Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments