The Christmas season seems to have turned into a strange procession of signs and symbols that Christ Himself would perhaps not recognize. Between jolly, round men in red suits, flying reindeer, and wreaths full of baubles, the biblical story of a baby born into a lowly manger could not help but take a backseat. How did we let the center of the story drift so far from the stable in Bethlehem? We dress up the season with so much glitter that the Light of the World is obscured.

It is no secret that many of today’s Christmas traditions are not derived from the pages of Scripture. Meanwhile, Santa Claus, jolly and with rosy cheeks with a big sack of gifts, stems from a patchwork figure, mainly Saint Nicholas but perhaps even older, pre-Christian myths. The Christmas tree? Its roots are from the pagan winter solstice festivities whereby evergreen boughs were brought into homes during the bleak cold to remind people of life. As for December 25, that date suspiciously coincides with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, a riotous celebration of the sun god’s “birthday”. When the early Christians chose a date for Christ’s birth, it perhaps hoped to reroute an already popular holiday toward a new, holier celebration.

At first glance, this melding of traditions might not seem so bad—after all, the Christmas tree is pretty, and Saint Nicholas was said to have been a generous man who gave gifts to the poor. But somewhere along the way, the add-ons began to overshadow the Guest of Honor. It’s as if we threw a birthday party, invited every mascot, magician, and mime in town, and then forgot to acknowledge the one whose name is on the cake. Christ, the supposed celebrant, is left sitting quietly in the corner while everyone else claps for Santa’s grand entrance.

Some say these additions are harmless and that symbols like Santa Claus bring joy and magic to children. Sure, I get that. I smiled, too, when kids went squealing with delight to meet Santa at a mall, but I couldn’t help feeling a pang of irony: children can describe the North Pole in detail, but when asked why Christmas is celebrated, they sometimes stare blankly. It’s not their fault—we adults set the stage. We allow Santa to come centerstage while Christ stays buried in a plastic nativity scene, not to be taken out and dusted until the season’s end.

The problem extends further than misplaced priorities to an unnerving reality that these symbols come from beliefs that had nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity in the first place. Take Saturnalia, for instance, which was a feast and gift-giving event that frequently turned into wanton indulgence. Sound familiar? The Christmas rush today is just about the same as modern-day Saturnalia, where people are trampling others in stores just to get a half-priced blender and/or all sorts of tech gadgets. A season to honor the Savior born in poverty has been turned into times of excess and commercial frenzy.

And here’s where it gets stickier: the date itself. December 25 wasn’t chosen because Christ’s actual birthdate was known. In historical terms, there’s no hard evidence that He was born on that day. Some scholars even propose spring or autumn as more probable seasons due to the presence of shepherds tending their flocks in open fields. If this were true, then the whole spectacle of December 25—a day lifted from pagan origins, is more convenient than sacred.

I am not saying we should regard the Christmas trees and Santa Claus as harmful. But symbols are powerful things that shape our experience in many ways. The risk doesn’t lie in tradition per se but in obscuring the purpose behind those traditions: all this may remain in the malls, the shining tree, and gifts galore—but we need to bear in mind why we get together in the end. Christ should not have to compete for our attention, not on His supposed birthday.

Perhaps what we need is a quiet return to the stable. Strip away the tinsel, the songs about sleigh bells, and the last-minute shopping panic, and what’s left is something beautifully simple: a child born in humility to make salvation available for those who believe. That imagery—a baby in a manger, surrounded by the soft light of a star—is where our focus belongs. The rest, though pretty and festive, are just decorations. Let them enhance, not replace, the true story. After all, what good is a holiday if we lose the reason for its observance?

The day that people have been waiting for is a good reason to celebrate. More that our individual birthday is the birth of our Savior who dwelt among us. He was sent by God the father to fulfill the promise to save mankind from sin. It has been over two centuries since the messianic mission that was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament had been proclaimed, yet, many people are still do not believe that Jesus Christ has come. There are many people who are still looking for the coming of the Savior and more who had been proclaiming falsehoods. This is why there are many modern-day preachers who established their own religious sects not in line with the true Church that God has established in the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

It is therefore a great challenge for every person to know Jesus Christ through the Word of God, the Holy Bible that was compiled by the Roman Catholic Church. It is the Word that was made flesh and became man to live with mankind through our Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from the Holy Bible, there are other sources of faith, namely: Sacred tradition and the Church magisterium. Very clearly, Jesus Christ never told His disciples to write His teachings. In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 16, Verse15, Jesus told His disciples to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”. One must read or listen to audio versions of the Holy Bible in its entirety and not just selective piecemeal verses for one to know Jesus Christ.

One could easily be deceived by pretenders who claim to be preachers carrying Holy Bible that had been translated by sects that tailor-made according to their own personal interpretation. Such is prone to many errors that may lead the listeners to believe what the preacher tells. It requires apt knowledge not just of the bible verses but a good background of hermeneutics to one to understand the context of the bible as expressed by the writers at the time of its writing, considering the culture and social norms of the communities during those biblical times.

For many non-Catholic preachers for instance, they do not give respect to Mary the mother of our Savior as they claim that in the Gospel of John, Chapter 19, Verses 26-27, Jesus Christ while hanging on the cross shouted, “Woman behold thy son. Son, behold thy mother. They misinterpret the statement of Jesus Christ not even giving due respect to her mother as He simply addressed her “woman”. With a good background in hermeneutics, one would understand that during that time in history, the word woman is a high form of addressing a woman, mothers included.

It is therefore a misplaced interpretation for preachers who pretend to know the bible, to disrespect the mother of Jesus Christ. Even in our times, we need to respect the mother if we want to be in good terms with the son. How can one claim to be a good friend with the son if he disrespects or even blasphemes the mother. Can one have the courage to ask for any favor from the son if he does not respect the mother? It is a good question to ponder if we want to obtain God’s favor. In this year’s Christmas, may we all learn to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

The entrepreneurial journey, often romanticized as a path paved with innovation and success, can be a treacherous terrain, especially for millennial entrepreneurs navigating a landscape rife with economic uncertainty and societal expectations. This article examines the multifaceted challenges faced by a millennial entrepreneur, shedding light on the realities of navigating a path less traveled.

One of the most significant hurdles for millennial entrepreneurs is the constant struggle for financial stability. The lack of established networks and limited access to traditional funding sources often forces them to bootstrap their ventures, juggling multiple side gigs and sacrificing personal comforts to keep their fledgling businesses afloat. This financial pressure can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety and a sense of constant precarity.

While the intent to work hard may be seen as a positive attitude towards success, it can be daunting on a millennial entrepreneur to be constantly being burdened with tons of work, as if there was little time every single day. I have been observing the younger generation wanting more at such an early age. Half of them might be a product of influential parents who have been in the business for some time, thus pursuing the family’s legacy and probably half of them simply want to be make a name of their own to start their own empire. Either way, still it emphasizes how the millennials are determined to be recognized as successful in their chosen fields.

Furthermore, the pressure to succeed in a world that celebrates overnight success stories can exacerbate feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. The constant need to prove oneself, coupled with the fear of failure, can create a cycle of stress and anxiety that can be detrimental to both personal well-being and business growth.

The millennial entrepreneur also faces the unique challenge of navigating a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The constant need to adapt to new technologies, platforms, and marketing strategies can be daunting, requiring a continuous learning curve and a willingness to embrace change. The lack of established mentors or role models in this constantly shifting environment can further exacerbate these challenges.

Moreover, the millennial entrepreneur often grapples with the pressure to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The blurring of boundaries between personal and professional life, fueled by the constant connectivity of the digital age, can lead to feelings of burnout and exhaustion. Balancing the demands of their businesses with personal commitments, relationships, and self-care can be a constant struggle.

Despite these challenges, millennial entrepreneurs possess a unique set of skills and perspectives that are valuable in today’s business world. They are digitally savvy, adaptable, and driven by a desire to create positive change. However, navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship requires a deep understanding of the challenges, a resilient mindset, and a willingness to seek support from mentors, peers, and communities.

The journey of a millennial entrepreneur embodies the resilience of the human spirit. It is a journey marked by both triumphs and setbacks, fueled by a potent mix of passion, determination, and a deep-seated belief in the power of their ideas. While the challenges are real, the rewards of building something meaningful and creating a lasting impact can be incredibly fulfilling.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Why Christmas cannot be separated from kindness? Because it’s a must. For people who equate Christmas with gifts, it cannot be a s case of barter nor a sort of social exchange , it must be kindness.

They will have their reasons to protest but they do not . Further, they embrace the roles they accepted that, with humility and kindness

As the modern Christmas comes with he trees, led lights and wreath, its quite sad that these symbols do not embody kindness, they do not exemplify Jesus birthday.

They are to me watered down and false symbols priming the commercial and the material Christmas and never about kindness.

That, alas, was forgotten.God was kind enough to smile on mankind and allow second chance but we forgot …We must put back love, sacrifice and kindness in Christmas.

IMAGINE the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, the greatest women of all time, enjoying the greatest dignity, especially Mary! (cfr. Lk 1,39-45) The exchange of greetings between the two can only reflect the highest honor and privilege any human being can enjoy.

Mary, already aware of being the mother of the very Son of God, goes immediately to her cousin to offer her service. What humility she is showing us! And Elizabeth, the recipient of such favor, could not help but exclaim: “O, most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

And Elizabeth continues to express her overwhelming joy, saying: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”

And then the most important part of her greeting came out of her mouth: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

My friends, let us again remind ourselves of how important it is to have a strong and effective faith for the will of God of be fulfilled in our lives as it was fulfilled perfectly in the life of Mary!

Mary is the New Eve who never violated the honor and dignity God gave her. And that’s because of her great faith that she was able to incarnate the very Son of God, again underlining a basic truth about our relationship with God—that we are meant to share the same life and nature since God wants us to be his image and likeness, children of his.
In spite of our weaknesses and failure, we should just try to imitate the example of Mary, ever strengthening our faith so that we too can eventually share the honor and dignity that she herself is enjoying.

It’s a faith that necessarily would lead us to an unwavering hope despite the confusing drama of our earthly life. More than that, it’s a faith that can drive us to an overwhelming love that is the very perfection of our humanity as it is the very essence of God.

Mary shows this charity by immediately making herself available to serve her cousin, practically reminding us that charity is not just sweet words and intentions, nor enjoying the honor of a privileged status. It is always expressed in deeds, in wanting to serve, just like Christ himself who once said: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20,28)

May it be that just as we are now a few days before Christmas, we rev up our desire to serve in a purely gratuitous way, just like what Christ and Mary did, without counting the cost and ever eager to serve in all conditions, whatever may be the cost.

This eagerness to serve would really identify us with Christ who is our “way, truth and life.” Definitely, to be able to serve, one has to be humble. And that’s what we see in our Lady, and of course, in Christ, first of all. Pride and all its allies would always extinguish any desire to serve others. They only are interested in serving their own selves.

May this Christmas fuel to the max our desire to serve, that is, to love!