Watching my grandson perform in their annual Christmas play was, indeed, a gratifying experience. As I reflect on the meaning of Christmas, I realize that, indeed, “For God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

He gifted humanity the privilege of being “one with Jesus Christ” through the Eucharist that we are given the opportunity to receive at every mass and honor in every visit to the Blessed Sacrament.

For the third year in a row, our family witnessed a Christmas musicale performed by students at The Bridge School, participated in by our grandson Rafa. Like last year, the show was held at the Solaire Theatre, and this enabled the kids to experience how it is to perform before a large live audience.

Here’s Rafa’s account of their 2025 show entitled, Love Came Down – The Sweet Truth of Christmas:

“I was a train conductor with my Grade 2 friends as passengers. We sang Happy Birthday to honor the birth of Baby Jesus. Our other song was 'Better When I’m Dancin’.”

When Rafa shared with me the lyrics, I realized that the simple words written by Meghan Trainor conveyed deeper meanings:

“Don’t think about it/ Just move your body/ Listen to the music/ Sing, oh, ey, oh/ Just move your left feet/Go ahead get crazy/ Anyone can do it…/ Show the world you’ve got that fire/ Feel the rhythm getting louder/ Show the world what you can do/ Prove to them you’ve got the moves/ I don’t know about you but I feel better when I’m dancing/ Oh we can do this together…”

This year’s theme depicts the mystery of God’s love for humanity that is demonstrated when a believer affirms the experience of being freed from the bonds of sin:

“I will sing forever of Your love come down/ With my hands to heaven/ Shout Your praises loud/ I was lost in darkness when You pulled me out/ I will sing forever of Your love come/ down…/ I once was blind, I could not see/ Chains of sin had shackled me/ But God in heaven, heard my plea, and Jesus rescued me oh, Jesus, Jesus rescued me…Now grace so sweet, it floods my soul/ And hope eternal won't let go/ My debt erased, at Calvary, 'cause Jesus rescued me…”

From the get-go, the members of the audience witnessed an affirmation of the significance of Christmas that seeps into young minds effortlessly as expressed in song and dance. Every cohort from kindergarten to grade six was given an opportunity to interpret vital aspects of their Christian faith.

Last year, Rafa and his Grade 1 classmates sang about the Nativity scene, Born is the King – It’s Christmas.

“Born unto us this day a Savior/ Gifted from heaven to a manger/ The hope of the world/ A light for all mankind/ All of the earth rejoice/ It's Christmas time/ So lift up your voice and sing out His praise/ It's Christmas/ Born is the King, rejoice in the day/ It's Christmas…/ Goodwill to all the earth/ And peace divine/ All of the earth rejoice/ It's Christmas time…/So lift up your voice and sing out His praise/ It's Christmas/ Born is the King, rejoice in the day/It's Christmas.”

As the presentation is held at a fullscale theater for the performing arts, the kids are given a feel of real world choreography to the delight of their admiring parents, grandparents and other spectators who are kept busy recording the show with their mobile phone cameras.

At another pre-Christmas event, Rafa joined scores of children eager to meet and greet Santa Claus up-close. Flying in via a helicopter that circled a large open field before landing, Santa did not disappoint. He took the time to sit and pose with each of the kids while handing out wrapped Christmas presents.

Indeed, this is a rare experience in which a youngster enkindles the warmth and glow of Christmas personified by a elderly gentleman who personifies how an elder generation nurtures its descendants by enabling them to savor experiences that edify and uplift the spirit.

Finally, I wish to commend the apostolate among the youth being performed by the Salesians of Don Bosco, who were responsible for my basic education and upbringing in school. They continue their noble mission not just in schools but in institutions like Tuloy sa Don Bosco, a facility located just across the Alabang Town Center, that was conveyed to their stewardship by the government when then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo served as DSWD secretary.

Fr. Marciano ‘Rocky’ Evangelista, SDB, steered the development of Tuloy from its inception to the present, aided by generous benefactors from private business and civic organizations led by Rotary clubs in Metro Manila.

When Rafa joined us at mass earlier this week, he received a surprise present from Tuloy’s current school director, Fr. Antonio ‘Beng’ Molavin, SDB. Fr. Beng has published volume two of The Jesus Cartoons, a coloring book consisting of 60 pages of his illustrations culled from the Bible. Youthful readers are invited to apply their creativity by coloring each drawing so that its message shines through ever brighter.

The Bible excerpts are taken from the gospels of St, Matthew, St. Luke, and St. John that span the liturgical calendar from its onset in Advent, through Lent and Easter, then through Ordinary Time.

Marking the Midnight Mass of Christmas, Fr. Beng illustrated the Nativity Scene of Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus: “Mary gave birth to her child. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:1-14)

Let the spirit of Christmas find room in all of our hearts every day and everywhere.

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