Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Meditations on Rev 7:14-17 and Lam 3


14 And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: 17 for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7)

It is not my concern ngayon to analyze interpretive principles para sa apocalyptic literature kasama na 'yung iba ibang models of interpretation.

I just want to look at the acts of God here. The multitude in white bloodied robes we are told came from a tribulation experience. They came to Jesus and washed their clothes with Jesus' blood and the robes became white.

Devotional Thoughts: As this was read by the persecuted early church, they received a revelation of comfort and recuperation from Jesus Himself. It appears that God recuperates as an act of His love and blessing. Removing the scars and pain of past or fresh suffering is a ministry of God. This gives the warrant for me to believe that God is able to do this both in my present condition and future, afterlife state. This is gospel truth for me as I read this as a person who has a serious medical condition. I think I share the common aspiration of many in the early church to rescue me with the beautiful option "to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). It must have given an increase in their faith to live lives worthy of Christ despite their circumstances to fulfill God's will for them here and hereafter. I'm sure they loved their families that is why to pray for rescue from God is their natural, God-given concern. At God's own bidding I surrender to His will. God's mercies never come to an end.

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From verse 15 describes the result of God's washing their blood-stained clothes: the fulfillment of eschatological promise said in magnificent terms.

Devotional Thoughts: How much I long for that day when the pain and agony of suffering caused by sin will be replaced by gloriously beholding and serving God on His throne. I pray that this action by my loving God does not only occur eschatologically though I long for it as the greatest of all endeavors. I pray that God will grant me a piece of heaven and healing in my earthly sanctification so that my family and friends will see that You, O God, My Precious Christ love me.

My tears have been my waking sign in the dawn. "I rise before dawn and cry for help" (Psalm 119:147) because "I hope in your words" (ibid). I see darkness. You are to me "as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places" (Lamentations 3:10).
1 I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; 2 he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light;  3 surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.  4 He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones;
 5 he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation;  6 he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago.  7 He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy;  8 though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer;  9 he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones; he has made my paths crooked.  10 He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding;  11 he turned aside my steps and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate;  12 he bent his bow and set me as a target for his arrow. 13 He drove into my kidneys the arrows of his quiver;  14 I have become the laughingstock of all peoples, the object of their taunts all day long.  15 He has filled me with bitterness; he has sated me with wormwood.  16 He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes;  17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is;  18 so I say, "My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD." (Lam 3:1-18 ESV)
Your gift of faith is my instrument to respond to your promises, for out of the mingling of threats and promises I know about You, O Lord Merciful One -- You have an overriding purpose of mercy and grace.
19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3)
Amidst the mingling of threats and promises in Isaiah 7-9 emerges Your overriding purpose of grace in 9:6 --
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I hope in Your Words Lord. Cleanse my blood stained robe of righteousness. Help me.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Making the New Year's Celebration a Christian Remembrance || John Pesebre || Kaliwanagan Kay Kristo (Dec 26, 2017)


Katatapos lamang po ng Christmas day celebrations. Base sa mga bata, hindi pa tapos ang excitement kasi ano daw ang susunod?

Siyempre bagong taon.

Madami pa silang masusungkit na kendi, chocolates at syempre may extension pa rin ang mga aguinaldo. Tayo namang matatanda sana hindi tayo mga parang bata lang kung mag celebrate. Maganda rin na pangunahan natin ang okasyon na ito ng magagandang kaisipan sa ikagaganda din ng ating mga buhay bilang mga responsableng tao at worshippers ng Panginoon. Kaya ko po nabanggit yan sa episode na ito, nais ko po sanang maglatag ng apologetics guideline to recuperate o bawiin at  yung idea natin ng New Year.

This episode, I will look into how we celebrate New Year and next episode naman po talk about yung Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah as it relates sa Gospel. Ganyan po sa tingin ko ang isa sa mga goals ng apologetics, may effort to recuperate meaning. May tawag na din dito dati si Pastor Ed Lapiz, “to redeem.” Makikita po natin sa pag recuperate na mas meaningful at consistent ang mga magagandang human practices if it is oriented towards God, kasi kung hindi maglalagay tayo ng iba diyan na magiging idolatrous pa yung festivity.

So in this episode, I will exhort on recuperating towards a Christian understanding of New Year by discussing Biblical themes on where to anchor it.

Ang earliest record sa history ng pag celebrate ng New Year ay ang mga Babylonians.  Ang tawag nila sa festival na ito ay Akitu o literally means “barley-cutting.” Wala po tayo yatang barley dito sa Pilipinas at wala din tayong spring kasi nga two-seasons lang tayo: dry at wet. Ang barley po sa Tagalog ay equally unfamiliar: cebada. Para po siyang mga butil ng palay, medyo brown, at matataba. Para po siyang wheat, kaya ang tanim na ito ay mukhang palay din sa palayan. Kung rice ang ating staple food, sa mga Babylonians naman nung unang panahon ay ito.

Ang Akitu is celebrated around March sa kanila. Ito ay panahon ng tag-anihan ng barley. Sa mga agricultural regions dito sa atin halos ganito din ang nangyayari, nagiging bibo ang kapaligiran kapag panahon ng harvest kasi nagtutulong tulong ang mga tao at pagkatapos ng maghapong trabaho, magdiriwang. It is a celebration of harvest and the work they put into the task. So dahil abundant, magdiwang.

It is very easy to draw some fascinating ways people back then do this. Tandaan po natin na maski hindi naniniwala sa totoong Diyos ang mga taong ito, they live in a world na likha ng Panginoon. Bawat isa sa kanila bear the image of God yet dahil sa innate sinfulness nila, they try to suppress yung katotohanan na yan as if they can live without recognizing the true God. Mapapansin natin that they really celebrate their work and company with people.

Tayong mga Christians we honor the work God has given us. Sabi nga ni Tim Keller, “Our work has dignity because it is something that God does and because we do it in God’s place, as his representatives.” Ayon po sa Colossians 3:23-24,
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Bahagi ng ating buhay ang ituloy sa work ang mga natutunan nating prinsipyo galing sa Diyos. Honest hard work- this is something God seeks from all of us. God's words tell us that working hard, but with faith in mind, can lead to the great things he has planned for us. And that is true din sa pag upkeep ng ating spiritual life. Sabi ng isang Puritan divine na si John Owen,
Frequency of acts doth naturally increase and strengthen the habits whence they proceed; and in these spiritual habits of faith and love it is so, moreover, by God's appointment. They grow and thrive in and by their exercise, Hos, vi. 3. The want thereof is the principal means of they decay. [Owen, Vol. 3: On Holy Spirit, 388]
So kung mga pagan people like the Babylon would celebrate yung work and harvest nila, how much more siguro tayo na mga Christians na nakakaunawa kung bakit may sense tayo ng joy sa labor and the fruits of our labor -- they are from God.

Ang New Year season is not just about beginning, but about consummation o katuparan. When there is a new, there is an old. Ang remembrance na nangyayari sa New Year ya pag-alala ng natuparan siya ng mga pagpapagal para masagana o even pagpapagal upang mabuhay lang. Lahat ng ito ay dahil nabubuhay tayo sa isang mundo na ginawa ng Diyos na, isang kaisipan na nagpa function sa disenyo ng Diyos -- yung taong nagdiriwang sa mga nagawa at pinagpagalan.

Sabi nga ng Psalm 98:1 “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” And we share din malamang ang joy ng Israelites nung sinabihan sa kanila ng Panginoon, “The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands.

Sa tingin ko po mga kapatid isa itong paraan para ma recuperate natin o bawiin ang isang bagay bago pa ito tuluyang agawin palayo sa atin. Let's reflect on God's work, our work and the work of other people that gave blessing sa atin.

(C) Photo Credit

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Why Apologetics Needs Women || Hillary Morgan Ferrer || Kaliwanagan Kay Kristo Dec 21, 2017


Yes, Women Need Apologetics, But More Importantly, Apologetics Needs Women

Hey friends! It’s Hillary of Mama Bear Apologetics, a partner of Ratio Christi International. Mama Bear Apologetics exists for the sole purpose of equipping moms to answer the tough questions of the faith. These questions start in the home, and moms are usually the first ones to hear them. So ladies, let’s band together, and educate ourselves. You can follow Mama Bear Apologetics on the web, Facebook, twitter, youtube, and iTunes. Today’s topic is why apologetics needs women.

My nephew once asked me “Since God and Jesus are both referred to as “He,” does that mean that men are better than women?” It was such a beautifully honest question coming from his little 8-year old mind. The answer to this question is, “Absolutely not!” and I’ll explain why in point 6. However, I was glad that I was able to address this question with him at such a young age, because this belief has subtly infiltrated some of our churches for far too long.  have known both men and women whom I suspect secretly believed this, though they would never say it out loud. Their actions said it for them. Ladies, we women have a unique role in the church, and if we are not manifesting God in our unique way, then the church is incomplete, and so is the field of apologetics.

As Alisa said in the first episode, “apologetics is simply the gathering of evidence for a belief, and then communicating that belief to the world and people we love,” especially our kids. 1 Peter 3:15 says that we are to give a ready defense for anyone who asks for the hope that is within. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we are to demolish arguments that set themselves up against the knowledge of God. Now with words like “defense” and “demolish,” it is not surprising that the field of apologetics has been dominated by men in recent years. But that is changing. We here at Mama Bear Apologetics believe that we can fiercely defend There exists a unique creature that is as soft, cuddly, and maternal as they come, but under certain circumstances, can turn into a warrior. That creature is a Mama Bear. If you would like to see the transformation in person, go try one of her bear cub. I don’t recommend it. You will learn the meaning of the words “defend” and “demolish” is a way you would rather not! Ladies there are times to be sweet, nurturing, and docile, and times for us to stand up and protect our children. When it comes to our kid’s eternal salvation, we need to understand the reasons for our faith. Without an intelligent, reasonable faith, we are handing our children over to secular worldview that will entrap, ensnare them, and ultimately damage their faith. But remember, we never demolish people while we are demolishing an argument.

Apologetics is important for all Christians, including women, but that’s actually not what we are here to talk about today. Whenever you hear people talk about “women in apologetics,” they are usually focusing on why we need to reach women with apologetics. And it’s true, we do! The mandate to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, MINDS and strengths is a universal command. So yes, I get it. Apologetics for women is vital. However, the lesser talked about issue, and that is the one we will discuss today: why apologetics needs women!

For the record, whenever we begin introducing gender into a conversation, there are people who are ready to stand up and declare their non-conformity to gender norms. When we talk about the different qualities between men and women, I am of course using generalities, generalities which were self-evident up until about 50-70 years ago. As a diclaimer, I do acknowledge that there are some men and women who defy their gender stereotype. I’m actually one of those women. Let’s acknowledge that generalities are not absolutes. We are looking at trends, and every trend has an outlier. That’s my official disclaimer before we dive into why apologetics needs women.

1)    Men pioneer, but women civilize.

It has long been recognized that women exhibit a civilizing influence on men. As mentioned above, I am speaking in generalities. And in general, men are the trail-blazers. They are the pioneers, and the ones who take pleasure in conquering uncharted territory. Apologetics is no exception. But what happens when a field remains predominantly male? You get something that looks similar to the wild west… or Lord of the Flies.

I have noticed many online conversations between skeptic and believer that have been less than civil. While truth itself must fortified without comproise, the manner in which we express these truths requires sensitivity to the individual with whom you are speaking. For some of our amazing warrior, pioneering men, this quickly becomes a bull in a china shop. Difficult truths must be applied gently, with compassion, and with mercy, all qualities for which women are more known.

2)    Women can help make apologetics more practical

A common complaint I’ve heard from churches is that apologetics isn’t practical. When they say “practical,” what they usually mean is “I don’t see how this will promote new converts or more people in the pews.” Personally, I think the practicality issue could be addressed by adding more female voices to the mix. Women may not necessarily have something new or different to say about apologetics. However, they often approach it differently.

There is truth in the phrase “Men are waffles, women are spaghetti.” Waffles are made  of a bunch of little compartments that don’t touch. With spaghetti, you cannot pull one noodle, without affecting allllllll the other noodles around it. Men have an amazing ability to compartmentalize, which is very helpful in some ways. However, when it comes to presenting apologetics in a practical manner, showing how it affect’s everyday life, I think that women’s inability to compartmentalize becomes their strength.

I have rarely heard a woman speak on apologetics topics without including how her topic has affected her personal relationship with God, and her relationships with others. Not everyone knows how to incorporate apologetics into their everyday lives. They go to conferences, and are filled with knowledge, and go home and have no idea how to implement what they have learned. I’m not saying that women alone hold the key to application. However, I will make the case that it often comes more naturally for us, and thus, we could play a vital role in making apologetics more accessible to the common lay-person, and more attractive to the average pastor.

3)    Apologetics already has a bad reputation, and a feminine face could help

I cannot count the number of times my husband and I have told someone that we did apologetics, and were met with skeptical looks, and warnings that “You can’t argue people into the kingdom of heaven.” Friends, if I could reach out and shake you right now, I would. This is important. If this many people think that apologetics is only about arguing, then we have not been doing it correctly.

I understand why men have retreated to apologetics. In many ways, the church has become very feminine, forcing men to hold hands and sing under candlelight. My push for women in apologetics is not about finding the last bastion of men, and invading it. However, there is a simple phenomena that I have observed through experience, both in the workplace, and as a teacher. When it comes to leadership, men and women can do and say the exact same thing.

The man will be seen as a strong leader, and the woman will be viewed as a [word I don’t say in polite company.] However, this exact same phenomena is true on the flip side. There are a lot of harsh truths that people will more readily hear from a woman than they will a man. Why is that? Is it because we are less intimidating? Is it because we intuitively know how to soften the blow? Is it because I’m 5’2” and it’s hard for someone to really take me seriously? Who knows. All I know is that if a man a woman both say something harsh with love, the love is often more readily perceived coming from a woman than it is the man.

Our society is a mess right now and there are a lot of harsh truths that need to be said. A feminine spin on a harsh truth can sometimes break down walls that might otherwise have been impenetrable if approached in a masculine manner.

4)    Women are more relational in their ministry

Apologist MaryJo Sharp has pointed out an interesting observation that she has made when talking with people at apologetics conferences. Men and women often have different reasons for getting into apologetics. While men are usually trying to answer their own questions, women are often trying to answer the questions of someone they love – a child, spouse, or friend. When it comes to the ministry aspect of apologetics, women seem to be more missional, but they do it in a relational way.

5)    Positive versions of femininity must be displayed if for no other reason than negative versions of femininity must be answered.

Some women having a gentle, quiet spirit means being a doormat, not speaking up, not voicing opinions. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some proponents of modern feminism think that they can elevate the status of women by attacking the value of men. Strength gained by tearing someone else down is not strength. True femininity is fierce strength wrapped in gentleness. As we women step into apologetics, we have the opportunity to model what truth wrapped in love looks like to a world that has forgotten what Biblical femininity should look like.

Finally, as to my nephew’s question, are men better than women since both God and Jesus are referred to as He? We are all image bearers of God, but we reflect different aspects His nature. In some scriptures, God manifests as a teacher, comforter, helper, and healer, all of which are traditionally feminine roles. In fact, the Hebrew word used to refer to God as helper is the same one used to refer to Eve as helper. Other times, God appears as a warrior, a defender, a provider, a judge, and a conqueror. All of these are traditionally masculine roles. If we are to ascribe one gender as having more inherent worth than the other, then we would have to say that some of God’s traits are more important than others, and that’s just not true. I rejoice because we serve a God who is both compassionate and just.

This ladies, is 5 reasons why apologetics needs women, why apologetics needs you.

To get more resources, please visit mamabearapologetics.com! Tune in next month as we hear from Cathryn Buse discussing how to incorporate apologetics into the home.

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Hillary's Bio
Hillary Morgan Ferrer is the founder of Mama Bear Apologetics, a ministry birthed from many sleepless nights. She feels a burden for providing accessible apologetics resources for busy moms on the go. Hillary has her masters degree in biology from Clemson University and is currently working on a masters in apologetics from Biola University. Her specialties are in scientific apologetics, critiques of the Darwinian mechanism, dealing with doubt, and identifying causes and solutions for youth leaving the church. She and her husband have been married for 10 years and minister together as an apologetics team in the local church. Hillary contributes to the ministry as Mama-Bear-in-Chief, coordinating the day-to-day efforts, outreach through Ratio Christi, editing blog submissions as well as writing her own, and recording the Mama Bear Apologetics Podcast with her close friend and partner, Rebekah. She can never sneak up on anybody because of her chronic hiccups, which you can hear occasionally on the podcast.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Noche Buena || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Nine


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want  (Psalm 23:1)

Read Psalm 23: Click here.

There are generally three types of religious observance: solemnity, feast and the commemoration. The Filipinos might have been a little confused that the feast of nativity (pascua de natividad) was in a novena mass.  Some Catholics view Christmas as an "observance of solemnity" that includes "Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation" which includes Christmas. However, in the General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the New General Roman Calendar issued by Pope Paul VI in 1969 hindi naka-novena (nine) ang Christmas festivity (recall 'yung siyam na Simbang Gabi) but "octave" meaning walong araw ang observance, hindi siyam or novena. According to the the Catholic Encyclopedia, "octave has more of the festal character; to the novena [however] belongs that of hopeful mourning, of yearning, of prayer. "The number nine in Holy Writ is indicative of suffering and grief" (St. Jerome, in Ezech., vii, 24; — P.L., XXV, 238, cf. XXV, 1473).”

For many Filipinos Christmas has become a big festal event na may mga banda pa sa madaling araw, mga parol, mga ilaw, puto bumbong atbp. Most importantly sa tingin ko sa mga pamilyang Pilipino, hindi pwede mawala ang noche buena feast -- kainan ng mga masasarap na pagkain from hamon, quezo de bola, lumpia, pansit, spaghetti, barbecue. Literally, "night of goodness," ang noche buena gives a time for the Filipino to look at the goodness of the past and anticipate good things in the coming year.

The Jewish roots of Christianity was a culture of festivals. Nang mahiyang ang mga Pilipino sa Spanish culture, they created festivals out of religious events that was not really designed to be festivals. We did it in community settings and we did it in private settings like the noche buena. We have a culture na hiyang sa pag-celebrate ng mga magagandang bagay.

Nawa'y ngayong noche buena, magkaroon tayo ng time to thank God for the coming of Christ into the world in that Bethlehem night and the many things Christ has done for us. Let it be a night of goodness because of the Christ of goodness.

MGA KATANUNGAN SA PSALM 23
  1. Pakilista ang mga mga actions ng Diyos sa speaker ng Psalm.
  2. Ano ang napansin mong overall na assurance na galing sa Diyos ang mayroon ang speaker ng Psalm?
  3. Ano ang mga parallel na karanasan ng speaker ng Psalm sa iyong recent na mga experience with God?
CELEBRATE THE NIGHT OF GOODNESS WITH THE CHRIST OF GOODNESS



Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Where's the Baby? What about Christians and Santa? || John Pesebre || Kaliwanagan Kay Kristo (Dec 19, 2017)


Si Santa Claus ay nagsilbing simbolo ng pagbibigay at kagandahang loob sa panahon ng kapaskuhan. Si Santa Clas ay isang “legendary figure who is the traditional patron of Christmas in the United States and other countries, bringing gifts to children.”*

Ayon sa Encyclopædia Britannica,
The Dutch are credited with transporting the legend of Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City), along with the custom of giving gifts and sweets to children on his feast day, December 6. The current depiction of Santa Claus is based on images drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper’s Weekly beginning in 1863. Nast’s Santa owed much to the description given in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), first published in 1823. The image was further defined by the popular Santa Claus advertisements created for the Coca-Cola Company from 1931 by illustrator Haddon Sundblum. Sundblum’s Santa was a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap.
Santa is described to have Superman speed and flight, nakakalipad siya habang nakasakay sa isang ice sled na hinihila naman ng mga reindeers na pinangungunahan ni Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole with his wife, where he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves. There he receives letters from children asking for Christmas gifts. On Christmas Eve he loads his sleigh with toys and flies around the world, drawn by eight reindeer, stopping at each child’s house; he slides down the chimney and leaves the gifts, refreshing himself with the milk and cookies left for him by the household’s children.
Ang argument na tutugunan natin ngayon ay “Christians should not introduce to children the legendary figure Santa Claus because it is idolatry.”Ang outline ng ating pagsagot dito ay two-fold: 1) negatively, I would say that Santa can be a “Christmastime diversion”; and 2) positively, Santa Claus is a good take-off point to talk about the giving nature of God’s actions of love and I’ll explain here how to talk to children about them.

Christmastime Diversion
A diversion is “something intended to distract someone's attention from something more important.” So meron kang isang importanteng bagay, pero mayroon kang ibang sagabal na nagsisilibing diversion.

John Piper explains,
Jesus came at Christmas to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus came at Christmas to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus came at Christmas to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Jesus came at Christmas not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13). Jesus came at Christmas to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Jesus came at Christmas that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14).
So the birth of the Son of God, the very God, very man, is simply stunning and glorious and infinitely serious — an overflow of the happy news. The angel called it “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) — great joy, not small joy; not a little bit of joy, but great joy.§
Kaya naman dagdag ni Pastor Piper,
How could we possibly even think of giving our children a bowl of bland, sugarless porridge when they are offered the greatest meal in the world? Why would we give them Santa Claus when they can have the incarnation of the Son of God? It is just mind boggling to me that any Christian would even contemplate such a trade — that we would divert attention away from the incarnation of the God of the universe into this world to save us and our children. I scarcely have words for it that people would contemplate this. Not only is Santa Claus not true and Jesus is very truth himself, but compared to Jesus, Santa is simply pitiful and our kids should be helped to see this.
Santa As Take Off Point
But in all of these negative comments ni Pastor John, we have to understand na napunta tayo sa usapang ito dahil kay Santa Claus. My point is that Santa can be a good take off point towards deeper conversation about Christ. Sa book of Hebrews, bago pa man nakapag-conclude ang writer na “Since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” he listed a good number of people to prove his point. Sa discussion na ito we can also mention a great man of God -- St. Nicholas of Myra. It is a well-established fact that the “popular image [of Santa Claus]  is based on traditions associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint.”

Nagtataka siguro kayo kung paanong naging Santa Claus ang name na St. Nicholas. Ang Dutch po kasi na tawag sa St. Nicholas ay Sinterklaas. The Dutch immigrants introduced Sinterklaas sa New Amsterdam, now New York.
Sinterklaas was adopted by the country’s English-speaking majority under the name Santa Claus, and his legend of a kindly old man was united with old Nordic folktales of a magician who punished naughty children and rewarded good children with presents. The resulting image of Santa Claus in the United States crystallized in the 19th century, and he has ever since remained the patron of the gift-giving festival of Christmas.#
St. Nicholas was twice imprisoned: first during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, a Christian hating emperor; and then after he slapped Arius in the Council of Nicea. Opinion ko lang na baka ito kung bakit“[t]here is reason to doubt his presence at Nicaea, since his name is not mentioned in any of the old lists of bishops that attended this council.”** On both imprisonment “Nicholas’s reputation for generosity and kindness gave rise to legends of miracles he performed for the poor and unhappy.” In your conversations with your children, you tell them that St. Nicholas learned about giving from the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross to give the greatest gift for all of us and that is to be united to the Father in heaven. You can contrast that with the gifts that Santa gives -- material gifts that do not last, occasional on Christmas time only -- and the gift of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor John Piper counsels parents,
[G]ive all your efforts to making your children as happy as they can possibly be with every kind of surprise that is rooted in the true meaning of Christmas. Let your decorations point to Jesus. Let your food point to Jesus. Let your games point to Jesus. Let your singing point to Jesus. Out-rejoice the world. Out-give the world. Out-decorate the world, and let it all point to Jesus. And if being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for your Christmas, you don’t know him well.††

__________

*  Encyclopædia Britannica, sv “Santa Claus”

  Encyclopædia Britannica, sv “Santa Claus”

Encyclopædia Britannica, sv “Santa Claus”

§  John Piper, "Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?" in Desiring God (website); accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/santa-claus-harmless-fun-or-christmastime-diversion

John Piper, "Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?" in Desiring God (website); accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/santa-claus-harmless-fun-or-christmastime-diversion

Encyclopædia Britannica, sv “Santa Claus”

# Encyclopædia Britannica, sv “St. Nicholas”

**  Ott, M. (1911). "St. Nicholas of Myra." In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved December 8, 2017 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11063b.htm

††  John Piper, "Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?" in Desiring God (website); accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/santa-claus-harmless-fun-or-christmastime-diversion






Belen: The Nativity Scene || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Eight


So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)

Read Luke 2:16-21. Click here.

The word "Belen" is the Spanish word for Bethlehem. Sa Pilipinas it is "a model or tableau representing the scene of Jesus Christ’s birth, displayed in homes or public places at Christmas." The idea of putting up a Belen for display came from Italian priest Francis of Assisi known for his vow of poverty and chastity.

This practice of the Belen continued thoughout the Medieval period hanggang sa mapunta nga ito dito sa Pilipinas because of the Spanish occupation. Ang mga religious symbols tulad ng Belen took on many meanings as the culture grew and progressed. When the Christmas festivities came into contact with the American commercialization of Christmas, naging key Christmas symbol siya to create a visual theme sa mga lugar kung saan ito nakalagay.

It is quite ironic ngayon na yung backdrop ng overspending is a tradition introduced to us by a person with a vow of poverty and a biblical family staggered by poverty whose only place to put their infant child was an animal's feeding box.

If you look at the verse of study for this devotional, you can see a picture of an outcast -- a family placed in a condition that none of us want to have.  Luke 2:16 says that the shepherd found the baby lying in this animal feeding box, a manger (Latin, "pesebre"). How shameful of us believers if we forget the glory of God in His humility. The Ruler of the universe "taking the form of a bond-servant" (Philippians 2:7).

Without the humility of Christ we will not have provision for our salvation. This humility means na kailangan Niyang magkatawang tao.

When you understand the work of God in Christ, like that of Mary and Joseph na yinakap ang pagkatawag ng Diyos sa kanila, any humble serving will work for us. Mga pagmiministeryong simple at hindi magarbo ay kaligayahan natin dahil ang pamilya mismo ni Jose at ni Maria, took on a ministry like that of outcasts -- poor, homeless and helpless. May this Christmas season remind us of this family and the divine humility of Christ so that consequently we can embrace a life of humility in service to God.

MGA KATANUNGAN SA LUKE 2:16-21

  1. Ano sa tingin mo ang nais ipahiwatig ni Lucas sa detalye na ang kuna ni Kristo ay isang feeding box?
  2. Nang matagpuan ng mga shepherds is Kristo sa manger, anu-ano ang kanilang sunod na mga ginawa?
  3. Ano ang kahalagahan sa buhay mo ngayon ng dalawang bagay na ito ng ginaawa ng mga shepherd?

SA KABABAANG LOOB NIYA, SIYA AY TINAAS NG AMA



(C) Photo Credit

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"

Santa Claus || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Seven


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Si Santa Claus ay nagsilbing simbolo ng pagbibigay at kagandahang loob sa panahon ng kapaskuhan. Santa is described to have Superman speed and flight, nakakalipad at naiikot niya ang buong mundo sa gabi ng December 24 habang nakasakay sa isang ice sled na hinihila naman ng mga reindeers na pinangungunahan ni Rudolph. By the morning of December 25, all the toys and presents for kids are secured in socks hung by children the previous night.

Ang Santa tradition ay naihatid sa atin ng mga Americans sa start ng 20th century. It all started sa US when Americans revived the celebration of Christmas early in the 19th century. Dati kasi because of the New England settlers na galing sa Inglatera, Christmas was lawfully banned. Malaki ang role ng commercialization at ang unti-unting pagdami ng iba't ibang kultura sa US sa pagkaroon ng interes nito sa mga Amerikano subalit sa mga Pilipino this was a continuation of the old gift-giving tradition of the Filipinos during Christmas. Nag-iba lang circumstances subalit ganon pa rin ang buod ng gawain -- ang magbigay ng kasayahan sa mga mahal sa buhay tuwing kapaskuhan by giving gifts.

Ang pagbibigay ay isang feature ng pag-ibig. Ang love ay hindi lang primarily a condition of the heart but also an act of the will. Sa John 3:16 you would read about both where the Apostle John states the condition of God's heart for men which is love and His action which is the giving of His Only Begotten Son.

Ito ang pinakamagandang feature ng Christmas na magandang pagnilay-nilayan ng believer dahil sa puro na expression nito galing sa Panginoon mismo. Sabi nga ni Pastor John Piper,
How could we possibly even think of giving our children a bowl of bland, sugarless porridge when they are offered the greatest meal in the world? Why would we give them Santa Claus when they can have the incarnation of the Son of God? It is just mind boggling to me that any Christian would even contemplate such a trade — that we would divert attention away from the incarnation of the God of the universe into this world to save us and our children. I scarcely have words for it that people would contemplate this. Not only is Santa Claus not true and Jesus is very truth himself, but compared to Jesus, Santa is simply pitiful and our kids should be helped to see this.*
MGA KATANUNGAN SA JOHN 3:16

  1. Ano ang binabanggit na pagtingin ng Panginoon sa mundo?
  2. Ano ang ipinakitang ginawa ng Panginoon sa pagtingin na ito?
  3. Ano ang naging result ng ginawa ng Panginoon?
  4. Anu-ano ang mga ginawa ng Panginoon sa'yo nitong nakaraang taon na iyong masasabi na galing sa pagmamahal ng Panginoon?
IBIG NG DIYOS NA MAKITA MO ANG KANIYANG PAG-IBIG
________
*  John Piper, "Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?" in Desiring God (website); accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/santa-claus-harmless-fun-or-christmastime-diversion


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"

Regalo at Aguinaldo || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Six


And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Mat 2:11 NAS)

Pera at mga sombrero ang paboritong regalong pangkapaskuhan ng mga Pilipino nung panahon ng Kastila. Ang mga laruan ay hindi uso dahil ito daw ay medyo luxurious sa mga bata kaya naman pag sinabing “Aguinaldo” nakasanayan na nating mga Pilipino na ito ay monetary o pera. "Aguinaldo" means box, yet dito sa Pilipinas we oftentimes refer to it as an envelope na may pera sa loob. Ang mga bata nung panahon ay magsasayaw o aawit para makatanggap ng Aguinaldo galing sa mga matatanda. Hanggang ngayon ang Aguinaldo ay bahagi ng kultura natin at least sa mga ninong at ninang. Nangyayari din ang Aguinaldo sa mga batang nag-iikot sa mga bahay-bahay tuwing kapaskuhan.

Ayon naman sa isang banyagang negosyante nung panahon, tuwing kapaskuhan daw napapansin niya na halos lahat ng mga Pilipino ay may bagong sombrero. Isang Filipino historian ang nagpalagay na mukhang sa mga matatanda, mas common ang mga regalong ganito.

Nagkaroon ng shift from a highly social Christmas festivity sa mga Pinoy to a more private practice nang dumating ang mga Amerikano sa simula ng 20th century. Isang historian ang nagsabi na naging private ito dahil sa napakaraming factors tulad na rin ng industrialization at commercialization. Subalit sa move na ito, lalong naging mas meaningful ang mga Christmas festivities, only that nakafocus na lang ang high value niya sa mga mahal sa buhay.

Sa mga pangyayaring ito, nag-iba man ang historical context, mayroon pa rin pag retain ng universal idea of love in the sense of gift giving. Ito ang “kernel” or 'yung pinaka buod ng gawain. Ang kernel na ito ang ini-express in different forms depending on our situation. Kaya naman tayong mga Pilipino, mayroon tayong mga gift-giving contexts for these different universal ideas brought about by Christmas. May mga regalo tayo sa mga mahal natin sa buhay na pumanaw na, regalo pa sa ating sarili, para sa ating pamilya, para sa ating mga kaibigan, sa mga katrabaho, kaklase at marami pang iba.

Ang pagre-regalo ng mga Magi kay Kristo ay mga regalong tila baga wala nang kahulugan sa atin ngayon. Subalit para sa mga Magi, this was the gift given because of the story of “this” King. Ang regalo ng mga Magi kay Kristo is one of honoring who He is and what He will do as a King. They were not merely gifts chosen to give a sort of joy and excitement to the one receiving but these gifts reflected who the gift is for. These gifts refer to the person and work of this King.

Hindi ko po sinasabi na ’wag tayong magbigay sa mga mahal natin sa buhay o kung sinumang nais nating pagbigyan. Subalit nawa po na ang ating mga pagbubulay-bulay patungkol sa mga regalo ay hindi mapunta lang sa mga pagbibigay ng kaligayahan sa mga kamag-anak o kaibigan natin. Nawa’y maging laman ng ating reflection ang ebanghelyo na nakapaloob sa kwento ng mga regalo ng Magi. Nasa mga regalong ito ang kwento ng ating kaligtasan.

Sa mga katanungan sa baba, nawa ay magkaroon kayo ng time upang saliksikin ang kahulugan ng mga regalong ito at nang tayo ay mapa-alalahanan ng ebanghelyo which is the person and work of Christ.

MGA KATANUNGAN SA MATTHEW 2:11
  1. Saliksikin mo kung ano ang significance ng “gold and frankincense and myyrh” at ang kilaman nito kay Kristo?
  2. Paano mo nakikita ang pagpapahalaga sa Panginoong Hesus ngayong bagong taon na paparating?
ANG MGA REGALO NG MAGO AY KWENTO NG EBANGHELYO

Carol || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Five


“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 
(Luke 2:14 KJV)

Read Luke 2: 13-14. Click here.

May hiyang na na jokes ang mga Pilipino na kapag “-ber” month na (September), it’s time to play Christmas carols because September 1 is the official start of the Christmas season. Maski ito wala ni isang provision sa religious canons. Then ang susunod na nito ay mga countdowns na ng days sa radio at TV. This practice will run for the most part until December 25 pero itataas ang level ng Christmas carols on the evening of December 16 when kids from around the neighborhood would sing carols on houses in exchange for goods and/or money.

Christmas carols add to the sounds of Christmas. Mayroon siyang ability to give a Filipino pleasure to say, “Ilang araw na lang Pasko na.” In olden days, bands playing Christmas carols would go around barrios at dawn to announce to people the simbang gabi. In modern times, the sounds of Christmas is highlighted by carols by neighborhood kids. Carols are songs of festivity and of celebrating the joys of Christmas. 

Kaso baka what we celebrate is the feeling of joy, not the Object of our Joy who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The angel who announced to the shepherds near Bethlehem the arrival of the Messiah had a company of angels with him who after the announcement broke into praising and glorifying the Son of Man.

The reaction of the host of angels to the birth of Christ must remind us of the royal exaltation of these heavenly beings. God communicates to us here the elevated status of Christ. The birth of Christ was a divine activity that brought the angels extreme worship and joy. From the praise we can see that all heaven and all earth must celebrate Jesus Christ.

May this Christmas remind you not only of the exalted na posisyon ni Kristo sa langit at sa lupa, but also of the exalted action of God to bring peace to a lost world because of sin. May this Christmas remind you ng totoong itinataas — ang ating Panginoong Hesus na laman ng papuri at pagluluwalhati ng mga anghel sa kalangitan. Sa iyong pagse-celebrate with your friends, family and others, nawa’y lagi kang mapa-alalahanan na ang ating pagdiriwang ay pagdiriwang sa napaka-exalted na Diyos na kahit na ganyan ang kaniyang matayog na kalagayan, nagkatawang tao, ipinanganak sa sabsaban, nabuhay na tulad natin at pinatay sa kalbayro na parang criminal. Subalit ang ating Ama na nasa langit na nagtaguyod ng Kaniyang kaluwalhatian kay Kristo ang Siyang nagpatunay ng kataas-taasang posisyon ng Messiah na binuhay muli at ngayon ay “seated at the right hand of God.” Siya ang Hari ng mga Hari.

MGA KATANUNGAN SA LUKE 2:13-14
  1. Ang ang biglang lumitaw matapos makapag anunsiya ang isang anghel sa mga shepherds?
  2. Ano ang kanilang ginawa?
  3. Ano ang nilalaman na mensahe ng kanilang pagpupuri?
  4. Ano ang mga ipinagpupuri mo sa Panginoon nitong nakaraang taon na masasabi mo na “Glory to God in the Highest”?

SALAMAT KAY KRISTO SA KATAAS-TAASAN


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


Christmas Tree & Lights || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Three


Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)

Read John 8:12-20. Click here.


Nang dalhin ng mga Amerikano ang Christmas tree sa ating kultura sa panimula ng 20th century, madaling nahiyang ang mga Pilipino dito dahil sa angkin nyang kagandahan at endless na paraan kung paano ito papalamutian. Nagsilbi itong napakatayog na simbolo sa tahanan para sa kapaskuhan. Sa ilalim ng Christmas tree natin nilalagay ang ating mga regalo at Belen; nagsasabit tayo ng kung anu-anong mga pwedeng isabit sa Tree at, sa ibang mga pamilya, umaawit sila ng carols around the tree where they would also give each others’ gifts.

The visual experience ng Christmas tree comes from its colorful, shining, and well-lighted features. Ang goal is to be visually stimulating. Eto rin ang nagbigay kay Martin Luther ng aliw kaya siya naglagay ng Christmas tree sa kaniyang tahanan nung 16th century. Ito ay papapatuloy ng napakahabang tradisyon ng mga Germans concerning the lighted and colorful tree hanggang sa ipagbawal ang pagpuputol ng puno for this purpose nung 17th century. Nanumbalik ang practice ng Christmas tree nung mid-19th century sa England at America. From then on the American empire expanded reaching its domain sa Philippines kaya tayo mayroon ngayong mga Christmas tree sa ating Christmas festivities.

How can we point this tradition to Christ to our family and friends? Historically for the Germans and its later history sa England at America the tree symbolized many things but one of its main features is the meaning of the green tree itself and its colorful lights. The Germans pitched this tree right after the winter season so it is anticipating life after a long period of biting cold — that eventually new plants would bud and blossom. 

Germans would also put candles on the branches of these trees outdoors along the road to serve as light to passers by at night. The Tree symbolized both life and light.

These two ideas of light and life are combined in a description of Jesus Christ in John 8. The light is used of Jesus as well as life to refer to the transition from darkness and death to light and life. He said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

A person who has not seen the Light of Jesus is a person who is blinded by the darkness of this world. Jesus is the Light of the World. Whoever does not believe the Gospel is a person who has never received the life-giving power of Jesus Christ.

May a simple family discussion or reflection on your Christmas tree yield truths found in John 8:12. 

MGA KATANUNGAN PARA SA JOHN 8:12-20 
  1. Sa pakikipag tunggali ng mga Pariseyo kay Hesus, ano ang kabuuan na mensahe ni Hesus ang kanilang tinutuligsa? Sa madaling salita, ano ang mensahe ni Hesus?
  2. Ano ang mensahe ng mga Pariseyo?
  3. Ano ang significance ng mensahe ni Kristo na siya ay pinapatotohanan ng testimonya ng Ama?
  4. Ano ang significance ng mensahe ni Kristo na Siya ay galing sa Ama?
  5. Ngayong kapaskuhan, ano ang mensaheng hatid ng mga katotohanang ito sa iyong buhay?

HATID NI KRISTO AY TANGLAW SA LANDAS NG BUHAY


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Related:



Puto Bumbong || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day Two


And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2 KJV)

Read Ephesians 5:1-2. Click here.

Nakalinya sa daan ang mga tindahan ngayong madaling araw. Nakikita mo ang steam galing sa kalan. Nalalanghap mo ang dahon ng saging, mantikilya, usok ng panggatong na uling at simoy ng pinakulong kanin at marami pang iba. Aliw na aliw ka habang itataktak ng tindera galing sa kawayang sisidlan ang puto bumbong sa isang maliit na planggana ng mga kinayod na murang niyog at asukal. Langhap na langhap mo lahat ng ito na nagbibigay sa’yo ng malalim na ligaya sahil sa sights, sounds and taste of a Filipino Christmas. Ang Pasko sa Pilipinas may lasa at langhap na nagpapahiyang sa ating festive feeling.

Ang “pleasing aroma” sa Old at New Testament refers to an acceptable sacrifice sa Diyos. As we celebrate Christmas we remember that Christ was the pleasing aroma that appeased the wrath of God. Ang prosesong ito ang tawag sa Christian doctrine ay “propitiation.” Ang mga di-ligtas ay may taguring “children of wrath” at ang wrath na ito ay poot ng Diyos sa kasalanan na dumadamit sa ating pagkatao. Maaring sabihin na eve ang ating mga mabubuting gawa ay tila nakakasulasok sa pang-amoy ng ating Ama. Ang poot ng Diyos sa kasalanan ay poot ng hustisya na kailangang maisakatuparan. Ang buhay at kamatayan ni Kristo ay ang siyang nag-absorb ng wrath na iyan at demand for justice. Jesus is the fragrant aroma that appeases that wrath satisfactorily. Ganyan ang kadakilaan ng pagmamahal ng Diyos sa atin at sa Kaniyang Ama — ang ibigay ang Kaniyang Sarili.

Naalala ko tuloy ang sinabi ni John Piper sa Preface, “Let your food point to Jesus.” 

Recently I heard my first ever pastor, si Ptr. Rene Nepomuceno talk about Christ’s ministry to us as a model for our ministry to others. Nabanggit niya na hindi sa atin nagtatapos ang natutunan natin sa Panginoon; bagkus nakikita natin ang ating sarili na extension din nyang ministry na ‘yan ng Diyos sa ibang tao. As Jesus was a “fragrant aroma” that drew sinners to the Father, may we be also a fragrant aroma that draws people to Christ where they will find salvation and freedom to serve Him.

May we always be reminded of Christ as a fragrant aroma so we too could be fragrant aroma to a lost and dying world by sharing the Gospel. 

MGA KATANUNGAN SA EPHESIAN 5:1-2
  1. Ano ang dalawang utos na nakapaloob sa verses na ito?
  2. Ano sa tingin mo ang dahilan kung bakit ikinabit ni Pablo ang “dear children” sa “followers of God”? Ano ang significance nito bilang paghahalintulad?
  3. Sino ang model ng ating pag “walk in love”?
  4. Ano ang mga nagawa ni Kristo upang atin Siyang maging “model”?
  5. What does it mean to you then to “walk in love”?
  6. Ano ang magandang paaala sa’yo ng verses na ito  patungkol sa parating na kapaskuhan?

NAWA’Y ANG SAMYO NI KRISTO AY SUMAINYO


Related:

Maaga Kami Kinabukasan: Simbang Gabi || John Pesebre || Christmas 9-Day Devotional: Day One


And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (Luke 2:15)

Read Luke 2:8-15. Click here.

Nagsisimula sa December 16 ng madaling araw ang isang kulturang Pinoy na nagpahiyang sa atin sa pagdiriwang ng kwento ng kapanganakan ng Panginoong Hesus. Ito ay ang Roman Catholic na Simbang Gabi o misa de gallo. Sa isang kilalang awit ng pasko ng compositor na si Lucio San Pedro pinamagatang “Simbang Gabi” ilinalarawan ang tila baga kaaliwan ng araw na ito
Sa tugtog ng kampanang walang tigil,
Maaga kami kinabukasan;
lalakad kami langkay langkay.
These lines include both yung nature ng kultura natin na mahilig sa grupo (“langkay-langkay” means “in groups”) at ang pag-aasam ng gawaing ito:  “Maaga kami kinabukasan.” May sense of excitement and it captures pagkagiliw at pag-aasam ng Pinoy sa isang celebratory na event.

When the angels announced the arrival of the Messiah to the shepherds in Luke 2, the shepherds were full of excitement. Sino ba naman ang hindi? Kasi nung panahon nila, pag nagpakita ang mga anghel, malimit ito ay para maging executor ng justice. Pagkatapos ng appearance ng mga anghel, natuwa siguro ang mga pastol na sila ay buhay pa. And they might have figured out the importance of the news of the birth of the Messiah having understood na they were spared from their initial fear and that the angels were also so excited that they gave an angelic symphony of praise in front of these poor, stunned shepherds. Kaya naman they said among themselves, “Tara nga at puntahan natin ang batang ito sa siyudad ni Dabid.”

Jesus’ birth ay ang nararapat na focus ng excitement sa ating kulturang ito. Nawa’y nauunawaan natin na ang kwento ng mga shepherds sa Luke reminds us na hindi lamang natin pinapalampas ang Christmas festivity na walang pagdiriwang. This is a time to celebrate Jesus Christ who gave His life to spare us from abiding in and the penalties of sin and most importantly to unite us with the Father in heaven. Tayo ay nagkaroon ng reconciliation sa ating Ama nang tayo ay manampalataya sa ebanghelyo dahil ibinigay ni Hesus ang Kaniyang buhay para ating kaligtasan — bilang pagluluwalhati sa Kaniyang Ama na nasa langit.

Ang Simbang Gabi ay kulturang Pinoy na nagpahiyang sa atin na magdiwang ng pagdating ng Diyos para ang Kaniyang mga hinirang ay maligtas. Bilang mga evangelical believers, hindi man tayo dumadalo sa misang katoliko subalit magandang tapikin natin ang ating sarili na ipagdiwang ang Kaniyang kapanganakan sa personal, maliit na grupo o Bible study at sa ating lokal na simbahan.

MGA KATANUNGAN SA LUKE 2:8-15

  1. Ano ang ginagawa ng at nangyari sa mga pastol sa vv.8-13?
  2. Ilista ang lahat na ginawa ng mga anghel?
  3. Ilista ang mga tugong damdamin na nakita ninyo sa lahat ng mga characters sa kwento at itala din ang mga dahilan kung bakit ito ang kanilang naging damdamin?
  4. Ano iyong ipinagpapasalamat sa pagdating ng kapaskuhan? Ano ang dahilan?

ANG PASKO AY MAY DIWA NA PAGDIRIWANG

(C) Photo Credit

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"

Preface to 9-Day Devotional || John Pesebre


I broadcasted a series of Christmas episodes for my radio apologetics teaching ministry at 702 DZAS para sa Back to the Bible Philippines’ “Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay” on December 2017 focusing on famous Filipino Christmas cultural symbols. Dalawa ang naging layunin ko sa mga episodes na ito. Una, I want to give a brief historical overview kung paano sa atin napunta ang mga cultural practices na ito. Sa ganitong paraan, I could provide information and themes that will be crucial sa aking pangalawang layunin na mag-recuperate ng mga temang ito papunta sa kahulugan nito sa ating Panginoong Hesus.

This proved to be a very fruitful endeavor not only for me as a Christian but also as a Filipino. Bilang isang Kristiyano, nabigyan ako ng pag-alala sa ebanghelyo ng Diyos. The Gospel is the person and work of Christ. Bilang isang Kristiyano, ang ebanghelyong ito ang aking tinatanaw na provision ng Lord sa aking kaligtasan. Sa panahon ng kapaskuhan, ito ay nagsisilbing object ng aking pagdiriwang. Ang batang nasa manger (Latin, “pesebre”) is God Himself in the flesh.

Bilang isang Pinoy, naging mahalaga ding patuloy kong malaman ang mga aspeto ng aking kultura at kung paano  naging hiyang ang mga Pilipino sa kulturang it. Nadagdagan ang aking kaalaman sa aking mga pinag aralan at dahil doon nabawi ko ang mga cultural symbols na ito papunta sa tunay na kahulugan ng Pasko sa Panginoong Hesus.

Nawa’y maging pagpapala po sa inyo ang 9-day devotional na ito na ang pinaka dearest na layunin ay best captured ni John Piper,
Let your decorations point to Jesus. Let your food point to Jesus. Let your games point to Jesus. Let your singing point to Jesus. Out-rejoice the world. Out-give the world. Out-decorate the world, and let it all point to Jesus. And if being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for your Christmas, you don’t know him well.*
Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!

John Ricafrente Pesebre

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* John Piper, "Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion?" in Desiring God (website); accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/santa-claus-harmless-fun-or-christmastime-diversion

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Where's the Baby? Christ in the Culture of Simbang Gabi || John Pesebre || Kaliwanagan Kay Kristo (Dec 14, 2017)


Magsisimula na naman po ang panahon ng simbang gabi o yung tinatawag nating Pinoy na misa de gallo (or "rooster's mass," kasi nga sa madaling araw ito ginaganap nang titilaok pa lang ang mga tandang paggising). Ang Simbang Gabi is one of the longest and most popular Filipino religious traditions in the country. “It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi” which “ is a series of nine dawn masses. . . It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December, which is the midnight mass.”*

The argument we will deal with today ay ang argument na “Born-again Christians should not hold or participate in Simbang Gabi because it is not a traditional Protestant or evangelical religious activity.” Hindi po madaling sagutin ang tanong na ito ng "Oo" at "Hindi" para sa akin kaya naman po ang malimit na tugon ko dito ay yung prinsipyo ng continuity at discontinuity. May ititigil at mayroon ding itutuloy base na din sa personal conviction ng Christian and in most cases 'yung kaniyang simbahan. Bahagi ng Christian liberty ang pagsasagawa ng mga bagay na hindi magdudulot ng iyong pagkakasala at pagkakasala ng iba. Although may iba iba ring pananaw sa Christian liberty mga evangelicals they still provide mga moral boundaries for its exercise.

Sa pagsagot ng argument na ito, ilalagay natin sa continuum na (1) “History supports the claim that the simbang gabi is not a traditional evangelical religious activity” at (2) there are some very important lessons we can learn from this religious-cultural Pinoy festivity.

History of Simbang Gabi
Ang Simbang Gabi po ay naka novena mass. Ang mga evangelicals ay walang novena tradition. Ang word na novena is from the Latin “novem” which means “nine” -- that is why sa Simbang Gabi sa Pilipinas, it is held for nine consecutive days. According to some information na nakalap ko, ang Simbang Gabi ay unang in-observe nung unang panahon sa gabi talaga, subalit nagkaroon ng compromise agreement ang mga pari at parishioners na gawin ito sa madaling araw.
There was a practical reason behind the missionary father's design to hold early Mass. The Filipinos are a farming people, and they typically greeted the dawn of a new day in the fields while working the land. The missionary fathers decided . . .  integrating a distinctly Filipino custom with the needs of Catholic worship.
Now you might think na ang novena ay isang solemn na event, at usually characterized ng mga matatandang babae na naka belo. Ngunit, bakit ang simbang gabi sa Pinas ay napaka festive at makulay?

It's for the simple reason na 'yung novena ginawang festive. Parang 'yung ginawa nating 'yung lamay nagkaroon ng videoke. Sa Simbang Gabi mayroon pang puto bumbong, parol at lights, salabat at iba pa? Dagdag pa, "a local band goes around town playing Christmas songs and inviting people to worship. After the Mass, the band continues to play and a variety of delicacies are displayed in the churchyard for everyone's pleasure. On the sidewalk, lighted lanterns called 'Parols' (Filipino version of the star of David [sic]) add to the joyous atmosphere that pervades the air,"

A novena nga is “nine days' private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special graces.” Although it is a little baffling talaga  kung paano naging festive ang isang novena. Ang eight days, ayon sa Catholic Encyclopedia, or “octave has more of the festal character; to the novena [however] belongs that of hopeful mourning, of yearning, of prayer. "The number nine in Holy Writ is indicative of suffering and grief" (St. Jerome, in Ezech., vii, 24; — P.L., XXV, 238, cf. XXV, 1473).”

Well I can see only one reason why Filipinos would subvert "suffering and grief" with buhay-makulay. I could speculate na ganito ang resolve, "Andidito na rin lang tayo umagang umaga, gumawa na tayo ng puto bumbong, gisingin natin ang kabayanan with a band, magsabit tayo ng mga parol at gawin natin itong makulay."

Again, Filipino ingenuity (and subversion hehehe) at its finest. Para tayong si Puss sa Shrek, "Let's fiesta!"

What started out as a simple novena of masses to "obtain special graces,"§  became a colorful community cultural activity that lasted through the ages. Suportado naman ito ng Holy See lalung lalo na ng Vatican 2 Article 37 of the Sacred Liturgy.

So, ang lalim po ng Roman |Catholic tradition dito kaya naman mapapansin ninyo bibihira o mangilan-ilang lang ang mga evangelical churches who do a simbang gabi of their own at ito’y tila mga midweek services on the theme ng kapaskuhan. Ang Protestant tradition never had this type of tradition so I think historically the argument’s support that says, “because it is not a traditional Protestant or evangelical religious activity” is actually true.

Recuperating Back to Jesus 
But like any other festivity, the object of celebration gets forgotten in the celebration itself kasi na-engross sa katuwaan. Ito din nga yung naging dahilan kaya pinagbawal ng mga early Protestants ang Christmas celebration dahil naging inuman na lang talaga at kalokohan sa marami.

The Archdiocese of Pasig explains that the purpose of the Simbang Gabi: “novena of Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Expectant Mother of God, and in preparation for the commemoration of the birth of our Savior.” The deeper we get into the study of the history and theology of the Simbang Gabi the more we get into these two directions: Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Evangelicals do not have a doctrine of veneration of the saints and that is why we do not split the Christmas festivity honoring Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Dahil po sa ang ating episode series ay “Where’s the baby” let us refocus our attention on seeing the Simbang Gabi as a cultural symbol upang i-invite tayo to remember and prepare for the anniversary of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We also have to remember that culturally a more sincere celebration of Christmas season teaches that it is both  1) festal or pagbubunyi at 2) paghahanda.

If you were to ask me if I will attend a Catholic mass for Simbang Gabi, I would say no. However, I would like to create three duties para naman hindi lang puro reflection lang mangyari. These three duties are: secret, private at public. Sa pagdating ng kapaskuhan at least sa December 16 you can start a 9-day devotional as your secret duty. I have designed a 9-day devotional that begins on the morning of December 16 to 24. It talks about the 9 important Filipino symbols. You can download this devotional doon sa Facebook page na Kaliwanagan Kay Kristo o di kaya’y mag email kayo sa akin sa johnpesebre@gmail.com para ipadala ko ito sa inyo. Ang private duty naman is like a small gathering like a family or a small group Prepare simple gifts that will remind your group members of the birth of Christ. You can also lead your family to a daily dinner devotion using yung 9-day devotional na nabanggit ko kanina. For public duty, alam kong marami-rami ring Christmas activities ang church ninyo that you can be part of.

(C) Photo Credit
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*  https://holidappy.com/holidays/Filipino-Christmas-Tradition-Simbang-Gabi

  Saint Catherine of Sienna Parish Church; http://www.sienachurch.org/scsf/Events/History%20of%20Simbang%20Gabi.pdf

  Saint Catherine of Sienna Parish Church, "Simbang Gabi," accessed at http://www.sienachurch.org/scsf/Events/History%20of%20Simbang%20Gabi.pdf

§  Catholic Encyclopedia, sv Novena, accessed at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11141b.htm

  † Vatican Council II, Article 37 of the Sacred Liturgy. "Even in the Liturgy, the church does not wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not involve the faith or the good of the whole community. Rather she respects and fosters the qualities and talents of various races and nations. People's way of life which is not indissolubly bound with superstition and error she studies with sympathy, and if possible, preserves intact. She sometimes even admits such things into the liturgy itself, provided they harmonize with its true and authentic spirit."

  http://dioceseofpasig.org/blog/pastoral-notes-on-the-celebration-of-the-simbang-gabi/











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