Present?

THE STORY is told about three brothers, who, after years of hard work and leading busy lives, wanted to make their 83-year-old mother happy especially on Christmas Day. To make up for the years when they neglected and took her for granted, the eldest gifted her with a big house, the second son gifted her with a limousine, and the youngest gifted her with an expensive parrot that could recite the whole Bible. After the holidays, they received a thank you note from their mother. To the first one she wrote: "Thank you for the house, but it is so big I can't clean it by myself." To the second one, she wrote: "The car is beautiful, but I never use it because I have nowhere to go." To the youngest, she wrote: "You gave me the best gift. The chicken was delicious!"

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The Gospel today (Lk. 1, 39-45) speaks about Mary setting out to personally visit her cousin Elizabeth. Mary went out of her way to be personally present with her.

As we prepare for Christmas, let us be reminded again that our presents are a poor substitute for our presence. Your presents are good, but your presence is better, and your heart is best.

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There will be a lot of gift-giving this Christmas. In fact, people are already stressed and busy making lists and buying special gifts, but many will end up not giving any gift to the birthday Celebrator Himself. There will be a lot of parties and reunions in His honor, but He will not be invited at all.

Christmas is Christ's birthday. Let us make sure that we be personally present to Him and give Him the best present of all: our hearts, filled with humility, love and joy.

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Mary teaches us to go out of our comfort zones and reach out to people, especially this Christmas. She who was in the family way, went out of her way to bring goodness and joy.

It is easy to enjoy the cozy holiday feelings in the privacy of our homes, among relatives and friends. Perhaps we even make ourselves feel good with a little donation on the side. Whatever you do this Christmas, do it with love. You'll know you have really done something with love if you have really gone out of your way and have allowed your comfort zones to be disturbed. That quarrel you should mend, that visit you should make, that sorry you should say, that treasure you should give, that vice you should give up, that love you should express-do it now. It's Christmas. Give your heart. That's all that Jesus asks of you.

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Our presents are signs of our love and presence. However, let us not forget that the best present is to be literally present. But what sort of a presence are you? Are you an angry presence? Are you a cold presence? Are you a cynical presence? Are you a plastic presence?

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It is easy to escape real presence by being a busy presence. We become so engrossed with work and activities (all for the birthday Celebrator, kuno). And yet we feel drained and empty. Why? Because it was all work, function or obligation.

Again, may the Blessed Mother reminds us that we must not forget the heart.

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This may sound morbid, but think about it: There were people who were with us last Christmas and are no longer with us this Christmas, and, there are people who are with us this Christmas who may not be with us next Christmas. It could be his or her last Christmas. It could be your last Christmas. It could be my last Christmas. Why don't you make this Christmas the best Christmas ever yet?

If at this moment God is speaking to you, harden not your heart. Do not postpone your conversion. Do not postpone your loving.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Make that a "Mary" Christmas, like Mama Mary's first Christmas, so simple, quiet, peaceful and so filled with love, hope and joy.

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Remember 10-year-old blind Fatima who exudes so much hope and joy despite undergoing dialysis five times a day? I asked her what her one Christmas wish was. Her response: Even if only up to the New Year, let us have peace in our families and in the Philippines, and in the world.

She did not ask for toys or goodies. All the child wants is peace. Funny how we adults want all the goodies of this world for Christmas and we forget peace!

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It is interesting to note that "Bethlehem," the place of Jesus' birth which symbolizes peace and quiet, has through contraction and corruption become "bedlam," which is a place of noise and confusion. Make sure you don't make bedlam out of Bethlehem this Christmas!

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I get the feeling that for many people "Pasko" means "Pass ako," i.e., not for me. Confession? Pass ako. Gift-giving? Pass ako, etc. Instead of "Pass ako," let's all say, "Pasok ako," i.e., Count me in.

A Blessed Christmas to all!

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, this Christmas, remind me that more than my presents, it is my presence that matters to you and to your people. Amen.