Bully this Christmas?

Yes. You read it right. Are we going to be a bully for Christmas? And who are we bullying? With the recent turn of events, I think it was only proper that something like this should also remind us that we too, are bullies in our own little way. Isn’t it strange how just about everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to have a say on the issue? We even join in chants of ”Stop bullying.” But isn’t it ironic that by doing so, everyone is turning out to be bullies themselves? What great timing as Christmas comes around in two days, reminding us of the birth of Jesus Christ, one of the most bullied persons in the history of man. And who “bullied” him? All of us sinners.

The birth of Christ signifies the coming of our Savior who came to world to save all of us. But His birth was not exactly a five-star occasion. After knocking on doors and seeing that there was no room for the birth of the King of kings, He was born in a manger. His first company were shepherds, sheep, goats, donkeys and a few other animals. What a way to welcome Jesus our savior.

 Did I hear you say bully? And as He took on His public life and preached the word of God, he was persecuted and attacked. And when the time had come, he was sentenced to death, spat upon, scourged, whipped, crowned with thorns, and made to carry a cross. His ultimate sacrifice was dying on the cross for you and I, and all of mankind today and forever. Did I hear you say bully? Is this the way to treat a savior? A King? The Son of God?

As we prepare for Christmas and the birthday of Jesus on this fourth day of Advent, we should also pause, take a break and take a look at how we have dealt with our Lord Jesus Christ. We should also think of a generous birthday offering of ourselves in the same way that He gave his own life to save us. Our relationship with God can also be characterized by the times we either hurt Him or please Him.

Each time we sin and do something that isn’t right, we’ve added to the suffering that He had to go through while here on earth. We’ve added to the whipping, scourging, nailing and sacrifices that He endured generously just to save us. In essence, we too are bullies, bullying the very person who came to save us. Isn’t this what bullying is all about? Strange? Ironic? But oh so true.

So what do we do this Christmas? Do we continue this bullying?

Why not give back to Him in the same way that He gave back to us? Giving ourselves simply means finding Him in our daily lives, offering up all our actions, thoughts and words, and being of service for others. The toughest part here is how we shouldn’t be worried about not receiving Christmas gifts. As Fr. Munching de Guzman, SJ said in a Misa Aguinaldo, “Ayaw mo pabotbot kung wala moy Christmas gift.

It’s not your birthday. It’s the birthday of Jesus Christ.” Reflecting on this, we now realize that we may have been too worried about what to receive for Christmas, and forgetting that we ought to be giving a birthday gift to the person celebrating his birthday on December 25.  What have you prepared for His birthday on Tuesday? Have we even bothered to say thanks to Him for everything that we have received in our lifetime? Our families, our work, our friends, relatives, colleagues and even our personal possessions? When we look at the baby in the manger, how about a simple “Salamat Boss.”

And knowing that we’ve bullied him in our own way each time we’ve sinned or have done something that isn’t right, have we said sorry? Looking at the baby again in the arms of Mama Mary, we can also add a “sorry” in our chats with Him this Christmas.

Isn’t it amazing how an incident can actually make us see so much, and more importantly make us realize that we are also bullies if and when we want to be bullies? This Christmas, may we realize that the Baby in the manger shouldn’t be bullied anymore. He deserves our love, affection; our lives.

Bleacher Talk wishes all a blessed Christmas where you can all touch base with the Baby in the manger and his mother Mary, with the assistance of St. Joseph.