Essence of Christmas

Once a year we are celebrating this very special day. A day when our Lord Jesus Christ was born in a stable, surrounded by farm animals in Bethlehem.Christians and non-Christians celebrates Christmas as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world. Others celebrates Christmas with gift-giving, decorations and Christmas trees.

            CHRISTMAS , it is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. A real star was born on Christmas day: Jesus brought light and life into people’s lives.   He inspires those who seek the truth and yearn for love that lingers forever .The essence of Christmas is spiritual love. The Holy Father sent His son out of love, and His son preached about pure love. We need to help spread His message! .. Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.Catholic countries have their special preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Philippines, majority of people there are Catholic. On December 16 they started their"Simbang Gabi : or Night Mass until Christmas eve. Christmas day is a day when family reunites and exchange gifts while watching their beautiful Christmas tree along with Christmas songs. The spirit behind Christmas is that of giving and sharing.

Christmas is not for one day. Everyday is Christmas if practice gift giving, love and peace. Our heart  wrapped by darkness learn how to forgive our enemies no matter how bad they are. Children are excited to  received their Christmas presents. But the most important is let us be a role model to them and explain the true essence of Christmas - as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time

“Equal rights, Equal Opportunities "

           In order to build a great democratic, just, fair and humane society, it is of utmost importance to arouse the broad masses of our people to join the struggle that will ensure "equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all".

          True empowering of women enables them to participate in decision-making processes in society. One effective strategy towards empowering women is to promote equal opportunity for women's representation in decision-making positions.Women also have the right and duty to take part in the political and administrative work of our nation. Women possess full equality and dignity and have a significant role to play in the affairs of our country.Genuine equality between women and men, girls and boys can only be realised in the process of a just, fair and humane transformation of our society as a whole.There's need for us to unite and enable women to take their rightful place in production and political activity to improve their economic and political status.There is need to educate ourselves and others to take a more correct view of women and to actively redress the injustices done to women in all our institutions - the Church, state and family.Women must not be treated as mere passive participants in national development. But they must enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms befitting all human beings, both in domestic and public life. Women need to be treated justly in families, workplaces, public life and the Church.Women are a backbone of our families and play major roles in our economy, especially in rural areas. The life and health of women are of central importance to the future development of our nation.This being the case, the calls for the true empowering of women to enable them to participate in decision making in our society need to be heeded.And men should be more involved in promoting women's rights. Advancement will not go very far unless women and girls are enabled to enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men and boys.Women must be represented at decision-making levels in both economics and politics, to sustainably achieve development goals.

           Clearly, there is need for us to broaden our understanding of women's situation in our socio-economic, political and religio-cultural realities and articulate faith reflections on women's realities and struggles. And in this way deepen our commitment and solidarity work towards full humanity for all.The discrimination and marginalisation of women is affirmed as a hard and abiding reality of life. Women have an irreplaceable role in society, yet their contribution is not acknowledged, nor are they accorded equal rights and opportunities with their male counterparts.