MANILA, Philippines—Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma called on the faithful to bring God into their hearts and homes not only during Yuletide but throughout the year so that they may experience the blessings they long for.
In his Christmas Day message, Palma said the holiday season should be a remembrance by the Catholics of the joyful mystery of Christ’s birth, which has always been the reason why people would sing “joy to the world” and “peace to His people on earth.”
“The little town of Bethlehem is a far-away place from our beloved Philippines and the year 1 A.D. is long time ago and yet the angels’ message is still loud and clear for us. Even now as we are about to close year 2011 and enter 2012, even here in our country or wherever we may be, in the midst of controversies and divisions happening in society, we hope of a better tomorrow and a brighter future because God is with us,” Palma said.
The prelate recalled how Christ was born in a stable because there was room available for Him; Palma said he hoped Catholics would have rooms in their lives for Christ.
“Reflecting on God-made-man lying in the manger, we know how messy and smelly would that be for God Almighty. He is there because there is no welcome in any home and had no room in the inn. In our time we pray that we are not too full of ourselves so as to have space for God. Jesus should not stay in the manger because we welcome him into our homes and enthrone him in our hearts,” the archbishop said.
Palma said that this Christmas, the faithful have no better way to welcome the Savior “than to know that mangers contain fodder for animals,” adding, “The Lord who came that we may ‘have life and have it more abundantly,’ desires that we eat His body and drink His blood; thus having partaken of Him, we who partake of one bread may become one body and one people.”