Ongkingco
Who wants to help me gather more hay for the manger?” Teacher Steph asked.
All the Grade 2 pupils eagerly waved their hands in the air.
“Remember, when we prepare the manger, we are also preparing our hearts where Jesus will be born on Christmas day!” She reminded them.
“Yes, teacher Steph!” Everyone said.
“So, don’t forget that more than setting up the manger, we should be setting up our hearts. And how do we do that?”
“By offering little heart-prayers and sacrifices as we decorate!” Stella answered confidently.
“Good, Stella!”
“Teacher Steph! Teacher Steph!” Debby cried out.
“Yes, Debby, what would you like to ask?”
“I can’t wait for Christmas to see Jesus in the manger!”
“Neither can I, Debby!”
“But I’m sooo happy that Jesus will be able to escape from the Tabernacle and stay in the manger!”
“That is so true, dear Debby!” Teacher Steph could not hide how moved she was with her pupil’s simple but solid faith.
* * *
Our materialistic and consumerist world can easily make us forget the genuine meaning and mission that Christmas has. Unlike these little children, we may be caught up with superficial and stressful concerns that dilute our capacity to discover the gift that Jesus Christ is for our hearts and family each Christmas.
I recall the story of some young aspiring executives who were catching the last available flight to make it for their company’s Christmas party. Since traffic was horrendously heavy, they decided to run to the departure area rather than lose their flight. As one of them turned a corner, he accidentally hit an orange vendor’s stall.
The oranges fell and rolled all over. The last executive was about to pass the stall by, when he was overwhelmed by what he saw! The stall owner was a blind young girl. She groped hopelessly on the ground for the oranges. Busy passersby aggravated the situation by hitting some oranges in various directions.
Cut to the heart, the executive started helping her gather the fruits. When his companions saw this, they cried out, “Dude, leave her!!! She has all time and we don’t have another flight to get to the party on time!”
But he could not take it upon himself to leave the poor blind girl. He waved back at his companions and assured them that he was okay, “I’ll catch the next flight tomorrow. Give my greetings to everyone in the party.”
His companions were evidently irritated and left without a word.
As he stacked the last orange on the stall, the young girl said, “Thank you so much sir, are you Jesus!!!?”
* * *
Christmas is a time when God is truly with us, may we not miss this chance when Jesus escapes the Tabernacle and enters our manger hearts!
Like the children preparing the manger, may our hearts not only prepare to receive Jesus, our Emmanuel, but to give Him to everyone around us.