PAGBABAGO
Each Christmas season, when we go through the story of the Nativity, one of the verses we love to read are the passages relating the circumstances just before the birth of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Luke 2:7, New King James version, it reads: “And she gave birth to her first born, a son. And she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” The interpretation of the above which we love to retell in countless of pageants over the ages, and across Christian cultures, is that the couple, Joseph and Mary, had to go to several inns but were turned away so that they were forced to go to a stable where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
The lesson we drew from the above was that God intended His son to be born in such modest circumstances.
I wonder what it would have been if Jesus was born today in one of the most devastated areas in the country like the islands of Dinagat where 95 percent of the buildings and houses were destroyed during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. What could the couple have done since almost every dwelling was damaged? But we are confident that the couple would have been resourceful as they were over 2,000 years ago.
Just as confident about the three Kings, the wisest during their times would have been able to navigate their way if they were to visit Jesus in the devastated islands of our country. No power, no water, no telephone lines. But like the old times, they may have to rely on a star or stars to guide them. They may have to bring more practical gifts like blankets, canned goods, and face masks rather than gold, frankincense and myrrh.
During this season of the year, our country, and I am certain, other countries prone to natural disasters as well, are experiencing the impact of unforeseen natural calamities. Late last week, many of people in the Visayas and Mindanao regions suddenly found themselves leaving their homes to face prospects of celebrating Christmas in evacuation centers. Reports have shown them facing the scarcity of food and water, and the absence of power and communication services because of Typhoon Odette.
More than 300 people, and still counting, have lost their lives; close to two million individuals are affected, and to date, an estimated P20 billion loss in property was reported.
In the island province of Dinagat, with a population of 130,000, 95 percent of or a total 23,000 houses were either destroyed or damaged and communities flattened, according to Balay Mindanaw Foundation which reported health concerns due to shortage of clean water. Gasoline went up to as high as P120 per liter and vegetables by a much as P100 a kilo. Access had been affected due to impassable roads and loss of telecommunication services.
Hundreds of thousands people will be celebrating Christmas in crowded evacuation centers not only were deprived of enjoying “noche buena” but having to face health insecurities due to overcrowding in the centers.
We remember them and pray for compassion and generosity this Christmas season. A blessed Christmas to all!
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