Christmas is a time for transformation, says CBCP president

MANILA, Philippines – Christmas is a time for transformation that starts at the birth of Christ that will continue if we let him into our hearts, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said yesterday. “Jesus begins it all definitively at his Incarnation.

We begin by first receiving Him into our hearts. If we allow our hearts to be mangers on which He lays, He can make rich and beautiful hearts out of our own – hearts who can love as He loves, who can forgive as He forgives, and generous hearts who take joy in none other than self-giving,” Odchimar said in his Christmas message.                                                           

He said that there are many threats against life and peace that would get in the way of faith such as political unrest, armed conflict and the re-filing of the Reproductive Health bill at the House of Representatives.

He said these disrupt the smooth progress of the country’s affairs but there are still signs of rejoicing.

“Conflicting parties seek reconciliation and most often, ceasefire and peace talks befall on Christmas. Many a great wonderful thing happens in this most anticipated season of the year,” he said.                                                                       

In his own Christmas message, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said Christmas should be celebrated everyday by attending mass daily. 

“Every time we celebrate the Mass, God comes down from heaven, dwells among us, enters our hearts and stays in our souls. Every time there is a Mass, we join the angels singing ‘Hosanna in the highest!’” he urged parishioners.  

“Go to Mass everyday – that is daily Christmas. Receive Holy Communion as much as possible everyday – that is Christmas everyday,” he added.

He said that many lives have been changed by frequent Holy Communion and so many have become saints by receiving Holy Communion daily.       – With Eva Visperas