Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community
Global Districts

Amidst the excitement of preparing for Christmas festivities, the season of
Advent reminds us that we have to make preparations for the deeper meaning of what
Christmas is all about, namely God’s presence among his people in the person of Jesus
Christ. Echoed and re‐echoed in the readings is the warning “Be on your guard, stay
awake because you never know when the time will come.” It is a grim reminder that a day
of reckoning lies ahead. To be found wanting and unworthy of the kingdom on that
occasion will be painfully frustrating.

Advent, therefore, is a time to be alert. One is alerted that Christmas is soon at
hand, the birthday of the Savior. He became one of us to bring peace, joy and fellowship,
to make us one family of God. All the preparations during the weeks of Advent are
directed to that happy event, even though many are no longer aware that Christ is the
focal‐point of Christmas. These preparations are meant to renew us in the true spirit of
Christmas, which Christ set before the world in the proclamation of the Good News.
Renewal in Christ, as each succeeding Advent season rolls around, has a further
purpose, namely to keep us alert that this is a passing world, so it is futile to attach
ourselves too strongly to it, because the world and everything in it is passing away (1 Jo.
2/17), to be transformed into a new world by the glorious coming of the Savior when He
inaugurates the end‐kingdom. Then all our preparation of the present time will be amply
rewarded and everyone will receive from God the praise he deserves (1 Cor. 4/5). Then
the just will share in the glory of the Risen Christ, when he comes to reward everyone
according to his works.

+ ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO
Archbishop of Jaro &
BLD Spiritual Director
November 29, 2011

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Categories : BLD Notices