Parol || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Four

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:1 KJV)

Read Matthew 2:1-12. Click here.

Nothing beats the "parol" (from Spanish "farol" meaning "lantern") na tila omniprescent sa culture and practice ng Pinoy sa kapaskuhan. They're everywhere -- street lamps, tricycles, churches, guard houses, bags, under bridges, over bridges and many other. The other day I saw one hanging behind the toilet seat that served as the housing for a toilet deodorizer.

Ang parol ay bahagi ng kulturang namana natin sa mga Kastila. Madaling nahiyang ang mga Pilipino dito dahil sa kaniyang ganda at functionality. Sari-saring palamuti at hugis at laki maaring magkaroon ang parol. Lalupa na ito ay isang lantern na napakagandang tingnan pagsapit ng dilim.

Functional din siya kasi pamalit siya sa midnight lamp sa labas tuwing kapaskuhan. In those colonial days, the light was fueled either by kalburo (calcium carbide) or oil lamps. It remained a common fixture sa community dahil ang parol ang hawak hawak ng nangununga sa langkay langkay na mga parishioners na naglalakad sa dilim papunta sa simbang gabi. Napakaganda sigurong makita ito noong unang panahon. Every throng of people would have at least a big parol leading the way for them and slowly they would all gather up sa parokya.

Sa 10 out of 10 Filipinos that I asked told me (at walang pag aagam agam) that the parol represents that star that led the magi to the baby Jesus. 

The star was the glory of God shining on the glory of His Son. This was the type of relationship established early on between the Father and the Son. Even at the helpless condition of the infant Jesus, God the Father was arranging for Him the glory of the fulfillment of prophecy and an honor higher than any human king could offer. May humility na involved dahil ang kuna niya at paanakan ay sa sabsaban — walang ni isang kilalang Israelita ang sumalubong sa Kaniya subalit ang pag-aanunsiyo ay hatid mismo ng mga anghel at ng kaluwalhatian ng Diyos. At isa pang napaka ironic na nangyari ay mga Gentile magi pa from the East ang nagdala sa Kaniya ng mga regalo that are fit for a king. 

Kaya naman para sa ating mga mananampalataya, nawa’y makita natin ang mensaheng ito ng pagluluwalhati sa ating Panginoong Hesus. When we reflect on our verse and when we talk to people about the beauty of the parol, let us not forget most importantly kung ano ang sini-signify nito — ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos sa Kaniyang Anak na si Hesus na nabuhay at namatay para sa ating katubusan sa tanikala ng kasalanan.

And as we see the parol as leading to Jesus, may we also see commit this Christmas to lead people to Christ through the sharing and preaching of the Gospel along with the witness of our faith in Christ. 

MGA KATANUNGAN PARA SA MATTHEW 2:1-12

1. Saan galing ang mga Magi at ano ang kanilang pakay? (vv1-2)
2. Ano ang naging tugon ni Herod nang malaman niya ang pakay ng mga Magi? (vv3-8)
3. What did the Magi do and what were their reactions sa pag unfold ng mga events? (vv9-12)
4. Ano ang pagkakaiba role ni Herod at ng Star sa kwento?
5. Ang “glory” ay parang kung ano ang “sinag” ng araw compared sa araw. Tayo ay maaari ding magsilbing glory ng Panginoon sa mundong ito as He points people to Christ. Paano mo nakikita na ikaw ay magbibigay ng glory patungo kay Kristo?

MANINGNING ANG LUWALHATI KAY KRISTO

(C) Photo Credit

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Related:
Preface to 9-Day Devotional
Day One - "Maaga Kami Kinabukasan: Simbang Gabi"
Day Two - "Puto Bumbong"
Day Three - "Christmas Tree and Lights"
Day Four - "Parol"
Day Five - "Carol"
Day Six - "Regalo at Aguinaldo"
Day Seven - "Santa Claus"
Day Eight - "Belen"
Day Nine - "Noche Buena"