Binhi sang Pagtuo
December 14, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from the campus!
Giving of gifts is part of the Christmas tradition. Last Wednesday the Chaplain’s Office and the College of Theology headed the White Gift Service. Faculty, staff and students brought to the altar their gifts wrapped in white. The beneficiaries (work students, and those chosen by the Outreach Office) will be receiving their gifts in a ceremony to be held this afternoon.
As a young child, I was intrigued with the idea of exchanging gifts every Christmas. Later, as I was studying in the seminary I learned that most probably the idea of giving gifts during Christmas started with the gift-giving of the Wise Men or the Magi.
Traditionally, we interpret the gifts brought by the Wise Men in their symbolical meaning. Gold – this means that the receiver is a King, thus we connect this to the declaration that Jesus is the King of kings. Frankincense – this means that the receiver is a Priest since frankincense is used during religious ceremonies, thus we relate this to the declaration that Jesus is the High Priest. Myrrh – this means that the receiver is one who will sacrificed himself since myrrh was used in the embalming process, thus we link this to the declaration that Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb.
Is there more to it aside from this traditional interpretation? Did the Wise Men really think of these theological meanings? They were probably astrologers who studied the stars, and they followed the star because they believed that there is a tremendous mystery under it. I told myself that the Wise Men may have done something wise to deserve the title of Wise Men. I started searching the practical uses of their gifts and I found out that indeed they were wise men.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to hide from the murderous intent of King Herod. The gold given by the wise men was most probably used by Joseph and Mary in their travel to Egypt, and to start a new life there. It was indeed a wise gift because Joseph, Mary and Jesus have no relatives in the land of Pharaohs.
Frankincense was used in ancient times, and even until now to ward off mosquitoes and flies. Jesus was born in a manger, a place swarming with mosquitoes and flies because animals are there. It was a very wise gift!
Myrrh was used in ancient times for its healing properties. It was sprinkled in the umbilical cord of a new born baby so that it will heal faster. It was also used to stop the bleeding of a woman who had just given birth. This was a very welcome gift for Mary and Jesus because they have to travel the arduous path towards Egypt just a few days after Jesus was born.
This may sound conjecture but I am comforted with this assumption because I believe that God sent the Wise Men to give gifts that were really needed by Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
How about us? What kind of gifts are we giving this Christmas? I hope that it will be a gift that would truly matter.
May God bless you!
Sincerely,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
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