Tagle assures faithful: Christmas coming to town

MANILA, Philippines — From Rome, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged the Catholic faithful to believe that “Christmas is coming to town” and it “will save us” amid all the suffering and hardships that have been weighing people down.

In a short video message posted on Facebook, the former Manila archbishop said some people have started to question why it does not feel like Christmas amid the scourge of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My dear friends, Christmas is here. But I think some people won’t agree with me. Some are even asking this question: Tuloy ba ang pasko (Is Christmas coming)? It doesn’t feel like Christmas. Christmas is not coming to town, and so they tried everything within their means and power to save Christmas,” he said.

Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, said people should remember the true reason for the season is the birth of Jesus Christ and not the Christmas that they are used to celebrate with lavish parties, exchange gifts and visiting malls.

“Tuloy ba ang Pasko? My answer is a resounding yes. Let us welcome the true Christmas,” he said.

Tagle said the Christmas celebrations people are accustomed to have many good elements, but referred to them as “the Christmas of our own making” which many are trying to save.

He said that the true meaning of Christmas is in everyone’s hearts.

“My dear brothers and sisters, let us not pretend, let us not try to save Christmas,” Tagle said. “The truth of the matter is, Christmas will save us. The true spirit of Christmas will save us.”

Papal nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown also urged the Filipino faithful to be open to the plans of God as he emphasized that today’s mission means facing new challenges with openness to God.

Brown, in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, said that every Catholic faithful has an important role to play in God’s plan, especially amid the challenging times brought about by the pandemic.

“It doesn’t matter what kind of vocation you have. God’s plan is working through you if you allow it to happen,” he said.

Brown led his first Simbang Gabi at the St. Anthony of Padua church in Manila last Wednesday.