Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula urged the faithful to always listen intently to the truth as it is a way to genuinely celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
In his Christmas message, Advincula said that “in order to genuinely celebrate Christmas, we too need to keep watch.”
“In the face of mystery, our stance must always be contemplative. Let us take a long loving look at the real,” he said.
“Let us intently and honestly listen to the truth. Let us be sensitive to the signs of the times. Let us have hearts that are attentive and receptive to God’s revelation and intervention in our lives,” he added.
It is also important to keep a closer look to those who are in need, said Advincula.
“Let us contemplate the presence of Jesus in our brothers and sisters, especially the needy and the suffering. Like the shepherds, let us recover the art of keeping watch,” he said.
Advincula also urged the faithful to “cross over” and “go beyond.”
“Let us go beyond. Let us transcend. This implies going beyond borders, transcending our comforts, being open to personal conversion, transforming our society, penetrating through walls of division, and building bridges of solidarity,” he said.
The faithful should also “go in haste” in discovering God’s revelation.
“Those who watchfully attend to God’s revelation, would feel the urgency to respond to His invitation,” he said.
“Christmas nowadays comes with so much rushing. Let us rush, not for the consumption and entertainment that the world allures us to, but for mission and encounter with the Lord. Like the shepherds, let us go in haste to meet and see Jesus, our Savior,” he added.
Advincula reminded that Jesus Christ is “with us and within us, here and now, even as many of us go through tough times.”
“Like the shepherds, let us keep watch of his revelation, let us cross over beyond our petty selves towards His greater glory, and let us go in haste for mission,” the prelate said.