How Can You Make Father in Heaven Happy?

I have gained something spiritually worthwhile that is making Heavenly Father happy and being kind. from the two speakers we have this Sunday during the combined Sacrament meeting of La Carlota 1st and 2nd branches of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

La Carlota Meetinghouse

It's Christmas time. It is considered as the joyous seasons of the year. "It is the most wonderful time of the year," says the popular classic Christmas song.

For most Christians, it is the time of giving as what the Bible says, "it is more blessed to give than to receive." That is the true tradition of Christmas. That is to dispel the kids' attitude of receiving gifts from their parents, from their godparents, from their friends. It is pointed out that Christmas Day is Jesus' birthday and it is not their birthday why they should receive gifts. They are the one to give gifts to others especially the poor and the needy.

2018 La Carlota Christmas Festival of Lights

A tradition of Christmas Festival of Lights among the people of La Carlota is observed once again as it kicked off on December 14 night.

Mayor Jalandoni III

In a simple rites, the good City Mayor Jacky Jalandoni III officially opened the this annual festival of lights.  After declaring the opening of lights, he officially switched on the ceremonial switch and all those trees around the plaza, and the facade of the building of City Mayor's Office, the City Council and the City Hall itself were all glistening, glittering with multi-colored Christmas lights.

This Christmas Festival of Lights is the City's initiative to make the people not only the La Carloteños but the visitors especially the tourists who are visiting the small city of La Carlota to feel and appreciate the practical effects of Christmas through these lights around the public plaza for Jesus Himself is the light, the Light of the World.

Is the True Spirit of Christmas Forgotten?

Do you think the true meaning of Christmas seems to be forgotten especially this modern time? Why? What is your basis? Answers to these questions may be true or may be not. It all depends on the person. But generally speaking, what do you think?

It seems the true spirit of Christmas is becoming neglected due to the commercialization of Christmas by the big business establishments. Would it be back to what Christmas is indeed according to the Scripture.

Following is my personal experience and my observation:

When I was a kid, I was too excited to long for the coming of Christmas season. So glad to listen to Christmas songs and enjoy my peers going out at night singing carols to every home of our neighbors. Though we may have a penny to receive for our 2-hour caroling yet we were happy, And we were excited to make it the following night as long as our parents would permit us.

At school before we had our week-long Christmas vacation, But before we enjoyed it, we had Christmas party, parlor games and exchanged gifts among our classmates. We're too excited opening our gift received in exchange of our gift wrapped in Christmas wrapper. Then we went home happy and contented.

Christmas in September?

We cannot deny this annual tradition among us. Christmas is the joyous season of the year.

By tradition, Christians celebrate Christmas in December. Their houses are well-decorated with colorful Yuletide decors, toys, lights, and gifts. Christmas songs filled the air. Children and adults sing traditional carols like Silent Night, Jingle Bells, among others.

This is the common scenario I may see or experience during December. Children in school have their Christmas party, gift-giving (exchanging gifts), Christmas tableau. Adults have their own separate party. They have it with lots of drinks, singing, and merry-making.

Midnight mass culminates the Christmas celebration. People in all walks of life go to the Church and stay in the Church until midnight. They wait until the Christmas eve. They go home after greeting each other. At home, they eat the food they prepared for their "Media Noche".

Misunderstood Christmas

Christmas Season is one of the joyous time of the year. Everyone has almost celebrated Christmas in their own way. But others who are least in life aren't experiencing what is Christmas all about.

We know that the Birth of Jesus was foretold by the Prophets of old as it is written in the Book of Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

And it is in the New Testament particularly in the books of Mathew, Luke, and John who told the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem from a virgin as what foretold by Isaiah 7:14 that says that the Lord himself will give a sign that the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son.

Light the World: 'Let Your Light Shine'

Christmas Seasons are the joyous time of the year. Young and old are celebrating Christmas and they have so many ways of relating to them the true value of Christmas. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has its own way of doing it by letting their "light" shine by serving its members in various ways.

Our youngest son, Gilbor Junior  is one of the speakers in our combined Sacrament meeting of the La Carlota First and La Carlota 2nd branches. Christmas which has so many ways of sharing it, he opened his message.

Gilbor Junior

"Looking at the mirror, I see light, a reflection of myself," he told. This means that he is aware that he does exist. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he is reminded of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' examples serve as the light of the world.

Thus this 2017, the Church as adapted plan of activities for #LightTheWorld", a calendar of 25 ways for 25 days.

"Each Christmas, we celebrate the life of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. By following His teachings, we let His light shine—in our lives and in the lives of others. This Christmas season, use this calendar for inspiration as you plan activities to help #LightTheWorld by serving those in need," said the introduction of this calendar of activities for the members to do.

One of those plan in the said calendar of activities for 25 day is "“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad.” (Matthew 5:12). It's Christmas seasons. It's time to share what you have in abundance or the blessings received so that everyone would be happy.

Why Should The People Stop Asking Gifts at Christmas?

The scripture is  definite in expressing that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Is this particular passage in the Bible being misunderstood or utterly neglected by everyone who believes the Bible contains the word of God?

Three Kings/Geralt/Pixabay/Public Domain

Christmas doesn't mean anything else except the coming of the Messiah as foretold by the prophets of old. Isaiah prophesied several hundred years that a son is given and He could be called as the Prince of Peace, among others. A heavenly messenger had awakened the shepherds on the field from their sleep and told then where the babe in a humble clothes was born. And also a mighty star had guided the three wise men to where the King of Kings was laid and they offered the greatest gifts of all.

Those people offered their humble selves and adored the baby Jesus whom the Heavenly Father sent to the world to save the sinners. It is a perfect gift the Father ever given to the people of the world, who come short of the glory of God. Jesus Christ Himself died on the cross to prove on how He is obedient to the will of His Father. Now the rest were a history handed down from one generation to another.

How Christmas Would Lead to World Peace

It is very untiring and even deafening to always hearing this Biblical phrase "on earth peace, good will toward men..." (Luke 2:14, KJV) The people are always longing for peace since time immemorial. But peace is elusive but hope keeps on hoping to never fail. Christmas is there to remind us every December, every year. Even everyone would like to have Christmas everyday.

JOYOUS CHRISTMAS SEASON

"When Christmas comes, there is always joy in our hearts. There is joy when we give something small for it has big impact to the receiver. There is joy in our emotion and on the way we feel after helping those in need." This a portion of my humble message during our Coronation of Mr. & Ms. Yuletide 2014 of our school, Balabag Elem. School.

PERFECT GIFT for CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a season of the year that simply reminding us the perfect gift which our Heavenly Father has given to all mankind, kindred, tongues and nations. That is through Jesus Christ, our Father in heaven unfeigned love is perfectly shown for everyone of us sinners. With Jesus we would be redeemed from our sins.

By Giving We're Blessed

Nativity in La Carlota City 2015

Our Heavenly Father has manifested His unfeigned love to us by sending His only son, Jesus through a demure, pure lady, Mary who gave birth on December 25  as being celebrated by Christian world.

The prophecy of the ancient has been fulfilled about the Child is born, the Son is given. That is the greatest gift of our Heavenly Father has given us, believers and non-believers.

What I Did On Christmas Day!

I woke up late on the Day of Christmas. My wife and I had nothing to spend a night before Christmas Day. Most of our children were not at home. Some  of them were working abroad, had a family of their own. Those who stay with us are our youngest daughter and our grandson, Bryan.

Together with my grandchildren in opening of lights

I was preoccupied doing my routine every night like updating my activities in the social media and also updating some of my blogs for the current events, among others. I slept almost past one in the morning of the following day.

On Christmas Day, while I was still in bed, I overhead some noise from our visitor's lounge (sala). Since they could be seen from my room, I craned and saw Bryan sitting on the couch, doing something on my laptop, while my daughter was resting at the nearby upholstered chair. I couldn't find my wife out there.

I got up hurriedly to find her. For it is Christmas Day, I should have greeted her. I searched the kitchen. She was not there. I asked Bryan and Geeree. They hadn't noticed her presence and even her whereabouts. I was a bit worried

Nine Basic Elements of Christmas

Most Christians do celebrate Christmas every year on the tradition handed to them from one generation to another. As this tradition grows in age, the ancient practice has influenced by the advent of modern technology and modern way of living. Its value becomes degenerated due commercialism.

Since I was a kid, then passed the stage of teenage, and in this senior age at the present, I do still value Christmas in its spiritual point of view. To remind me always and to avoid staying away from the very essence of this important event among the Christians, I have come up with an 9 basic elements of Christmas based on its acronym: CHRISTMAS

I hope these elements may appeal to anyone as to their humble understanding of the true meaning of Christmas and may serve as a constant guide to everyone as they celebrate Christmas every year.

What Should I Give This Christmas?

Gift-giving is what Christmas known to everybody. Christmas is Christ. The greatest gift our Father in Heaven has offered to mankind is his Son as to fulfill what has been prophesied in Bible. "For unto us a Son is born. Unto us a Son is given."

Nativity (Kid's version)

Christmas is for children. Not only that. Christmas is also for adult. Adults also long to receive a gift, a special gift to make them feel being loved, being taken care of. Christmas is for everyone. "Peace on earth. Goodwill toward men."

As I celebrate this year's Christmas, I am thinking on what to give. Either foods? Toys? Dresses? Candies? Pair of shoes? I want to get some suggestions from the person available at home. I want to ask from my grandchildren on what is best gifts for Christmas.

The Greatest Gift I Give to my Parents

Christmas is just around the corner. I already hear Christmas songs over the radio especially early in the morning. Everyone at home is so excited for they're expecting a party, exchange gifts or gift-giving may be held.

Kids are so happy in this month of December. They're expecting to receiving gifts from their parents, from their godparents.

To borrow a line from the song popularized by the late world-known singer, Michael Jackson, which says "people making lists/ buying special gifts", the people all over the world are beginning to do this.

Thus, they're making a long lists of things to buy for their Christmas presents to be given to their loved ones, relatives, friends, and business associates and clients.

And So It Is Christmas

And so this is how I value Christmas in acrostic:

Christmas is for CHILDREN. It's the little children who really love Christmas. They're all excited when Christmas is just around the corner. They love also to sing Christmas carols. And they go out house to house at night to sing them.

Christmas is HOME. Christmastime is one of the nicest times of the year to be with your beloved family when you're away from them for even a year. There's a popular song that says, "I'll be home for Christmas." Beside there's no place like home and Christmas seasons suits the time to be with your family.

La Carlota Festival of Lights and Music 2011

Sked of Nightly Cultural Presentation

Every 15th of December of every year is the opening of festival of lights and music of  La Carlota, 45-minute travel from Bacolod City.

A nightly Christmas musical presentation which runs till 31st of December, delights you as you spend your time at the public plaza of La Carlota.

Different religious sectors, schools and NGOs take turn to entertain you of their Christmas cantata, tableau, song and dance while you take a sip of cold drinks, a burger and  a popcorn with your family members, relatives and friends seating in a plastic chairs provided by the City.

Visiting the plaza at every night in this Christmas seasons, you will enjoy so much by appreciating the different illuminated trees around the plaza. Different sectors of the community have their own trees to maintain. They are lighted up by Christmas lights of different colors, style and built.