December-The Real Reason for the Season

I was asked to write something for the Oasis of Love Monthly Newsletter... This is what i wrote.... I'm sharing it to all of you too. Hope you'll like it.

“DECEMBER – The Real Reason for the Season!”
By: Sis. Shannie Capiz – Madayag
Music Ministry - Batch 027

“Silver bells…… silver bells….. It’s Christmas time in the city!” …. La la la…. Every morning, since about a week ago, I would always hear my neighbor play this song at around 6 or 7 in the morning…. Gosh, morning ritual ito!… he he he. But most people really do want to enjoy the moment especially that Christmas is just around the corner.

Basta kapag December asahan mo na itong mag ito: Bonus, pag may bonus, may shopping….. pag may shopping, nandyan ang discounts, tawaran, cramming sa pag-buy ng gift, and most of all….. TRAFFIC!

But many of us have not really realized the true essence and reason for this coming season. The month of December is filled with expectation and celebration. Preparation is the key word for the first 24 days of December. Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — Actually, too busy shopping and decorating, cooking and cleaning. Too often, however, we are so busy with the material preparations that we lose sight of the real reason for our activity.

The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated on December 8 and the first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season known as Advent. The Liturgy of Advent, as what I’ve read, focuses on remembering Christ's first coming at Bethlehem which then directs our mind to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. The readings focus on the people of the Old Testament awaiting the Messiah, John the Baptist who heralding the way for Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal preparations.

Christmas is a very special feast of the Catholic Church and we must reclaim it and celebrate it as such! It’s just same when a family eagerly prepares for a baby, so in Advent we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We should keep Advent as a season of waiting and longing, of hope, of incredible love and humility of our God in giving us his only son. Also, let us not forget to prepare a place in our hearts wherein our Savior may come to dwell.

The best person we can turn to for help during Advent is Mother Mary. She awaited the day of His birth with more eagerness than any other human being. Her preparation was complete in every respect. Let's borrow something from Mother Mary. Her prayerfulness, her purity and whole-hearted submission to God's will as we together welcome the coming of our Savior in this special season.