..night travelers..

It was supposed to be my rest day when I was called to go on on-call duty. It's nearly midnight, but the call of profession knows no time. I hurriedly prepared, and off the night I rode the bus. I sat comfortably, being the only passenger in that trip. I wanted to close my eyes so I can have a cat nap, but there's always beauty concealing among the dark sky I cannot shy away not looking at...

Not so long ago, I attended a beautiful mass in Carmel. It was nearing Christmas. But the manger is still empty. "They are still traveling in the dark night", I wanted to tell the priest. Imagine how a pregnant woman riding on a donkey, pacing on a night of cold, trudging in a place without lamp posts, without Facebook to share  her check-in, without a certain place to stay. Imagine how it is to finally find a place, only to find out it's full, and a door just closed right in front of your face. Imagine how it is to labor among animals, and to give birth in a nook, without the flowers and balloons welcoming your bundle of joy, without the banquet of foods to celebrate His birth, without the world knowing that a Light just broke in the dark night. From the poorest of the poor, none of us was born this way. 

In the most profound way, God delivered a beautiful gift that didn't come with fireworks, or a big applause, or a large crowd to create noise. It's heart-warming to think how God uses simplicity in manifesting a greater kind of love. It's not the food we have on our table, for many are in hunger. It's not the clothes we wear, for many are suffering from naked injustices. It's not the big Christmas tree, for many are homeless. It's not the glamorous lights, for many are in darkness and wounded. It's not what we received, for many are waiting for givers. Let us go back to that night when God is teaching us what matters most in life. To be a comfort to others. To be their lamp posts. To be their home. To be their keeper. To be their manger in their dark nights of travel. 

Looking at the Nativity, what could be more lacking? Warmth is there. Beauty is there. Acceptance is there. Joy is there. Gratitude is there. Contentment is there. Total Surrender is there.

Love is there.

How do you prepare His manger? Can He stay in you?

Merry Christmas!