The Rosary Dad

Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters in Christ!

May this Christmas bring love, forgiveness, and the joy of being present with your loved ones. Let us celebrate not just the festivities but the profound gift of salvation brought to us through Jesus’ birth.

The Advent season is a time of preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ—a period of self-reflection and examination of conscience. This year, I find myself asking, What is the significance of this Christmas in my life today?

Sadly, in our current times, not all Christians reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. For many, it has become merely a happy holiday, with the essence of Christ’s birth often overlooked. I must admit, I was once among those who viewed Christmas as just a time to celebrate. While I acknowledged that it was about Jesus’ birth, I didn’t grasp its deeper significance.

But by the grace of the Holy Spirit, I am on a journey now—a struggling Christian striving for holiness, fully aware of my human frailty. This year’s Advent season has invited me to reflect deeply on the story of Christmas, the first coming of our Lord Jesus, the Word became flesh (John 1:14).

Here in the Philippines, we have a beautiful tradition called Misa de Gallo—a nine-day novena Mass leading up to Christmas. These early morning liturgies immerse the faithful in the Gospel accounts of the Nativity. Though not a holy day of obligation, attending these Masses is a meaningful way to prepare spiritually for Christmas. While I couldn’t complete all nine this year, I made time to meditate on the daily Gospels, which recount the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, and the obedience of Joseph and Mary—culminating in the birth of Jesus.

This Advent for me was a mix of personal struggles, emotional turmoil, constant prayers to increase faith, and triumphs of faith. Like Mary and Joseph, I strived to say “yes” to God amidst challenges. My wife and I began this season with the sacrament of confession at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Pagsanjan, Laguna. It was a “Kumpisalang Bayan” , and I couldn’t help but wish that confession were more accessible to all the faithful in every parish.

Throughout Advent, our days were filled with prayers, Rosary meditations, and reflections. One reflection that resonated deeply with me was imagining Mary and Joseph’s sacrifices on that first Christmas Day. As parents of two young children—a three-year-old and a one-year-old—I was drawn to their experience. When my wife carried and gave birth to our sons, she endured physical struggles, labor pains, and sleepless nights. Her sacrifices, especially in those early months, were extraordinary.

This brought to mind Mary’s obedience and strength, her willingness to embrace God’s will, and the sacrifices she made as she cared for baby Jesus. Truly, she is the Blessed Mother, the New Ark of the Covenant, and the Mother of God—all by the grace of God.

Likewise, I reflected on the role of St. Joseph. As a father, I understand the struggles of caring for children and the sacrifices it entails. St. Joseph’s obedience to God and his role as the earthly father of Jesus inspire me. I wondered: What did St. Joseph do when Jesus cried as a baby? How did he guide Him from infancy to childhood? His significance in the story of salvation is profound.

Now, as we celebrate Christmas, I pray that this season reminds us to reflect on the story of the Word became flesh, our salvation story. As for me, I pray for the grace to follow the obedience of Mama Mary and the strength of St. Joseph as a father. Above all, I strive to worship Jesus, my Lord and my God, in all stages of His life.

To you, dear reader, may this Christmas bring love, forgiveness, and the joy of being present with your loved ones. Let us celebrate not just the festivities but the profound gift of salvation brought to us through Jesus’ birth.

Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters in Christ!