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
- Ano sa tingin mo ang nais ipahiwatig ni Lucas sa detalye na ang kuna ni Kristo ay isang feeding box?
- Nang matagpuan ng mga shepherds is Kristo sa manger, anu-ano ang kanilang sunod na mga ginawa?
- 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"
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