by Romano M. Bulatao, PhD
One of the most anticipated seasons by most Christians around the world especially in the Philippines is Christmas. In many places, people are preparing their Christmas parties/gatherings beforehand and others already had their Christmas parties earlier. As a popular song line which says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Here in the Philippines, when “ber-months” start, Christmas songs were played on different platforms. Aside from this, external expressions that points to Christmas are noticeable and are and elegantly set. Gigantic Christmas trees in cities and municipalities, colorful and astonishing Christmas lights were installed along the streets, among establishments, parks, respective homes, etc. Christmas decorations are definitely all over places. Indeed, Christmas is in the air!
The promotion and advertisements about Christmas celebration are so vibrant and rampant. And yet, many Christians tend to forget one important season that is considered the foundation of the true essence of Christmas – the Advent Season!
The Advent season is the preparation before the Christmas season. In Latin, the term “advent” is “Adventus,” which means the “coming” or “arrival.” In Greek, it is “Parousia,” which pertains to the “second coming!” During the Advent season, Christians are provided four (4) weeks to prepare themselves for the coming of Lord Jesus Christ. Each week bears a theme that would guide the whole Christian church regarding this preparation to God’s great arrival in each life, namely: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. In the eyes of faith, we see these themes as God’s offer of His Grace to all humanity and the rest of creation.
Today, we are faced with many disturbing challenges in different aspects, namely: political issues (like the disunity among leaders of the nation), corruption and governance accountability; poverty and economic inflation; devastating typhoons due to climate change; mental-health conditions to a number of people, young and old; consumerism; moral degradation; wars in other parts of the world; etc. These are seemingly hopeless situations that is why we are so much in need of answers that will give us hope. This hope must be in the context of faith that God’s promise of good life and well-being for all, will come true. We remain humble in our hearts, hopeful of God’s undying love and care. As Christians, we must be bearers of hope. Providentially, the Jubilee Year of 2025 (which starts on December 24, 2024 and runs to January 6, 2026) was declared by Pope Francis with the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” Hope is what we need in the midst of hopelessness! In the words of Pope Francis, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainly by looking to the future with one spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
Amidst our challenging situations, we need to reflect and pray together through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. The invitation for us as Synodal Church is to listen to the Holy Spirit through listening to one another especially to the cry of the poor and creation. This is possible by way of dialogue, reflection and prayer. In other words, we are all invited to reconnect ourselves to God that our faith may continue to grow through prayer. In the words of Saint Paul, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment. This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Moreover, according to Pope Francis, “Without prayer, there will be no Synod1” Through prayer, we continuously connect ourselves to God, the true source of our authentic meaningful life.
Related to the Advent season is the understanding of the meaning of “coming” or “arrival” of Jesus Christ. Theologically speaking, there are two (2) well-known kinds of “coming” namely, the “first coming,” which pertains to the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem (the incarnation), which happened already, and the “second coming,” the “Parousia” which is yet to come. But many theologians would suggest that in between the first and the second coming, there is also the moment of the coming of Jesus Christ in our day-to-day life. This means that we are called to be consciously vigilant in the coming of Jesus Christ into our daily lives. In other words, Jesus Christ opens Himself to us every day.
But the whole mystery of God’s love for all humanity and the rest of creation is unfathomable in the absence of faith. Because in faith, we believe that God is always with us as in the words of Jesus Christ Himself, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, from all eternity, it is clear that “God is with us,” the very meaning of His name – “Emmanuel.”
To experience a more meaningful Advent season is a challenge to each of us, that is why we need to re-think on its essence. In the dynamics of “coming” and “waiting,” this points to the “coming of Jesus Christ” and “our waiting to receive Him.” Paradoxically, we can understand the meaning of Advent imagining the hidden truth that during this time of Advent, Jesus Christ is the one “waiting” for our most awaited “coming” or our reconnecting with Him!
The mystery of Incarnation is the truth of God’s love to all humanity and the rest of creation. God decided to enter our history to live among His people and taught them how to live a meaningful life. His being fully God and fully human is an eternal truth that gave us a way to understand His love for us if only we were open to His grace and wisdom. In other words, God constantly offers us His loving presence. Thus, God is always with us. If God is with us, there is nothing to be afraid of. According to Biblical experts, the phrase “Be not afraid!” or “Do not fear!” is found in the Holy Bible 365 times. This means that God is assuring us of His unfailing love and presence all year round.
In times of troubles and difficulties in life, especially in moments of hopelessness, many people ask, “where is God?” Others even question God’s existence! But the truth remains that God is always with us! The question is, “are we with Him always?” Maybe, we simply missed the point that God is always “waiting” for us to be reconnected and reconciled with Him. As John the Baptist announces, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!” (John 1:23). Repentance of our sins and the commitment to change for the better are ways to prepare ourselves in meeting our Savior Jesus Christ. He is so excited for our “coming” or our “return” to Him! May this be the moment of a real encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ as we prepare ourselves during this Advent season!
As a Synodal Church, let us all continue to reflect, reconnect, and be renewed. May the good Lord bestow upon you, your families and friends the bountiful life that you deserve! Have a meaningful and fruitful Advent Season!
One of the most anticipated seasons by most Christians around the world especially in the Philippines is Christmas. In many places, people are preparing their Christmas parties/gatherings beforehand and others already had their Christmas parties earlier. As a popular song line which says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Here in the Philippines, when “ber-months” start, Christmas songs were played on different platforms. Aside from this, external expressions that points to Christmas are noticeable and are and elegantly set. Gigantic Christmas trees in cities and municipalities, colorful and astonishing Christmas lights were installed along the streets, among establishments, parks, respective homes, etc. Christmas decorations are definitely all over places. Indeed, Christmas is in the air!
The promotion and advertisements about Christmas celebration are so vibrant and rampant. And yet, many Christians tend to forget one important season that is considered the foundation of the true essence of Christmas – the Advent Season!
The Advent season is the preparation before the Christmas season. In Latin, the term “advent” is “Adventus,” which means the “coming” or “arrival.” In Greek, it is “Parousia,” which pertains to the “second coming!” During the Advent season, Christians are provided four (4) weeks to prepare themselves for the coming of Lord Jesus Christ. Each week bears a theme that would guide the whole Christian church regarding this preparation to God’s great arrival in each life, namely: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. In the eyes of faith, we see these themes as God’s offer of His Grace to all humanity and the rest of creation.
Today, we are faced with many disturbing challenges in different aspects, namely: political issues (like the disunity among leaders of the nation), corruption and governance accountability; poverty and economic inflation; devastating typhoons due to climate change; mental-health conditions to a number of people, young and old; consumerism; moral degradation; wars in other parts of the world; etc. These are seemingly hopeless situations that is why we are so much in need of answers that will give us hope. This hope must be in the context of faith that God’s promise of good life and well-being for all, will come true. We remain humble in our hearts, hopeful of God’s undying love and care. As Christians, we must be bearers of hope. Providentially, the Jubilee Year of 2025 (which starts on December 24, 2024 and runs to January 6, 2026) was declared by Pope Francis with the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” Hope is what we need in the midst of hopelessness! In the words of Pope Francis, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainly by looking to the future with one spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
Amidst our challenging situations, we need to reflect and pray together through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. The invitation for us as Synodal Church is to listen to the Holy Spirit through listening to one another especially to the cry of the poor and creation. This is possible by way of dialogue, reflection and prayer. In other words, we are all invited to reconnect ourselves to God that our faith may continue to grow through prayer. In the words of Saint Paul, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks to God at every moment. This is the will of God, your vocation as Christians” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Moreover, according to Pope Francis, “Without prayer, there will be no Synod1” Through prayer, we continuously connect ourselves to God, the true source of our authentic meaningful life.
Related to the Advent season is the understanding of the meaning of “coming” or “arrival” of Jesus Christ. Theologically speaking, there are two (2) well-known kinds of “coming” namely, the “first coming,” which pertains to the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem (the incarnation), which happened already, and the “second coming,” the “Parousia” which is yet to come. But many theologians would suggest that in between the first and the second coming, there is also the moment of the coming of Jesus Christ in our day-to-day life. This means that we are called to be consciously vigilant in the coming of Jesus Christ into our daily lives. In other words, Jesus Christ opens Himself to us every day.
But the whole mystery of God’s love for all humanity and the rest of creation is unfathomable in the absence of faith. Because in faith, we believe that God is always with us as in the words of Jesus Christ Himself, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, from all eternity, it is clear that “God is with us,” the very meaning of His name – “Emmanuel.”
To experience a more meaningful Advent season is a challenge to each of us, that is why we need to re-think on its essence. In the dynamics of “coming” and “waiting,” this points to the “coming of Jesus Christ” and “our waiting to receive Him.” Paradoxically, we can understand the meaning of Advent imagining the hidden truth that during this time of Advent, Jesus Christ is the one “waiting” for our most awaited “coming” or our reconnecting with Him!
The mystery of Incarnation is the truth of God’s love to all humanity and the rest of creation. God decided to enter our history to live among His people and taught them how to live a meaningful life. His being fully God and fully human is an eternal truth that gave us a way to understand His love for us if only we were open to His grace and wisdom. In other words, God constantly offers us His loving presence. Thus, God is always with us. If God is with us, there is nothing to be afraid of. According to Biblical experts, the phrase “Be not afraid!” or “Do not fear!” is found in the Holy Bible 365 times. This means that God is assuring us of His unfailing love and presence all year round.
In times of troubles and difficulties in life, especially in moments of hopelessness, many people ask, “where is God?” Others even question God’s existence! But the truth remains that God is always with us! The question is, “are we with Him always?” Maybe, we simply missed the point that God is always “waiting” for us to be reconnected and reconciled with Him. As John the Baptist announces, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!” (John 1:23). Repentance of our sins and the commitment to change for the better are ways to prepare ourselves in meeting our Savior Jesus Christ. He is so excited for our “coming” or our “return” to Him! May this be the moment of a real encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ as we prepare ourselves during this Advent season!
As a Synodal Church, let us all continue to reflect, reconnect, and be renewed. May the good Lord bestow upon you, your families and friends the bountiful life that you deserve! Have a meaningful and fruitful Advent Season!
ROMANO MACARAEG BULATAO completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (AB Philo.) in 1990 at the Claret Formation Center (now, Saint Anthony Mary Claret College or SAMCC), Quezon City. He finished his Master of Arts in Religious Studies (MA Rel. Stds.) in 2003, and his Master of Arts in Philosophy (MA Philo., cum laude) in 2014, both at the Saint Louis University (SLU), Baguio City. Dr. Bulatao obtained his degree, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology, Major in Missiology, at the SAMCC, Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA), Quezon City, in 2021. From June 2006 to May 2009, he served as the Department Head of Religion at SLU, and a Professor in the same Department from AY 1996 – 2023. At present, Dr. Bulatao serves as the Assistant Director, at the Office of Student Affairs and Services. He is the Author of the books entitled Touching Thoughts A-Z, and Touching Thoughts on Creation A-Z, published in 2009 and printed in 2013 respectively, by the Claretian Publications. His latest published book is entitled Walking Together in the Care of Our Common Home, by the Claretian Publications in 2023. Dr. Bulatao is also the Translator of the Novena to Saint Anthony Mary Claret (from Pangasinan language to English) published in 2015; and the Novena kay San Antonio Maria Claret (from Pangasinan language to Filipino) published in 2020.
