Foreword

“Justice shall flourish in His time, and fullness of peace for ever.” (Ps 72:7)

A few weeks ago, the City of Bethlehem – where Jesus was born – lit their giant Christmas tree. This is an annual tradition that was halted for two years due to the Gaza War. Due to the ceasefire, the city was able to resume its practice. Stories of both Christians and Muslims taking selfies in front of the tree as well as neighbouring cities planning to light their own Christmas trees give hope that justice and peace will soon be realised in the Holy Land and beyond.

There are other stories, oftentimes not as grand as that in the City of Bethlehem, that offer us hope amidst injustice and war. Regardless, let us be like Mary who “treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:19).

It has been twenty years since our website launched “The Nine Gifts”, an online Novena in preparation for the Lord’s Birth. As we get ready for the Big Day, let us open our hearts that have been bruised by the evils around us, to the Promised One who will sustain us in hope and bring about lasting justice and peace.

We would like to thank everyone who made this devotion possible, especially our pool of reflection writers. Your support is much appreciated.

May God bless us all!

Pietro S. Albano

Member

Editorial Board

Fraternally,

Pietro S. Albano

Member

Editorial Board

First Gift

"Parable of the two sons"

Gospel Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

“What is your opinion?

A man had two sons.

He came to the first and said,

‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’

but afterwards he changed his mind and went.

The man came to the other son and gave the same order.

He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.

Which of the two did his father’s will?”

They answered, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,

tax collectors and prostitutes

are entering the Kingdom of God before you.

When John came to you in the way of righteousness,

you did not believe him;

but tax collectors and prostitutes did.

Yet even when you saw that,

you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

1000 Kilometers and One Answered Prayer

by Tolits Novio

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a father and his two sons. One son says “no” but later obeys; the other says “yes” but never follows through. Jesus teaches us that true obedience is not found in our promises but in the direction of our hearts. God looks at how we turn back to Him, how we rise after falling, and how we allow His voice—not our own plans—to guide our steps.

Looking back at my journey, I see myself in both sons. There were seasons when I said “yes” to God in words but walked my own path. And there were moments when I felt tired, unsure, or reluctant—but still found the courage to obey when grace opened a door. My story is not perfect, but it is a story of being held and guided by a faithful God.

After graduating in 2009, I joined a Catholic community in our town in Rodriguez, Rizal. Serving in worship deepened my relationship with the Lord. He blessed my career—I became a licensed architect in 2011—and allowed me to serve further at The Feast. My life felt full, yet there remained a quiet prayer in my heart:

“Lord, if it is Your will, lead me to the person You prepared for me.”

For years, that prayer was met with silence.

I tried to build relationships, but nothing aligned. I began to think that maybe I was meant to stay single. I poured myself into work, service, and personal growth. I enjoyed my single years so much that I almost forgot that old prayer I used to carry.

Then one ordinary day in August 2023, unexpectedly and gently, God stirred something again. A girl’s message in our Feast Singles chat caught my attention—witty, smart, sincere. She stood out. And despite being 1000 kilometers away in Leyte, I felt a nudge in my heart. I asked the Lord, “Is she the one I prayed for years ago?” I was hesitant at first—tired of trying, tired of hoping. But in prayer I sensed a quiet whisper: “Nothing will be taken from you if you try.” So I tried. I prayed. I reached out. I visited churches in Leyte and lifted her name to God.

And little by little, God unfolded a story I never expected.

As I write this, my heart is full. I am no longer waiting—I am preparing. In a month, I will marry my fiancée, Rachel. The prayer I once whispered, the desire I had set aside, was answered in His time, not mine.

This Advent, the Gospel reminds us:

God’s justice is not punishment—it is restoration.

God’s peace is not the absence of waiting—it is the presence of hope.

We may come to Him like the first son or the second, tired or willing, hesitant or ready. But God patiently works in us until our hearts can truly say “yes.” As Psalm 72 says, "justice shall flourish in His time". Sometimes His justice is seen in the healing of our hearts, the fulfillment of long-forgotten prayers, and the quiet peace that arrives when His timing finally unfolds.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You see the desires of every heart.

You know the longing for love, companionship, and a future full of hope.

Teach us to trust Your timing, to grow in faith while waiting,

and to become the person You are shaping us to be.

Give strength to those who are tired,

peace to those who feel uncertain,

and courage to those who are afraid to try again.

May Your justice guide our choices,

and may Your love lead us to the relationships You have prepared.

When the right time comes, let our hearts recognize Your gift.

“When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22

Amen.

Gift for Jesus

The Gift of Hope Give Jesus the decision to hope again— even after disappointment, heartbreak, or long silence. “Jesus, revive the hope in my heart. Let Your peace fill my waiting.”

Ar. Tolits M. Novio is the Principal Architect of Arkidezman Design Studio and a servant-leader in the United Architects of the Philippines, where he continues to serve through national roles and mentorship. Beyond the practice of architecture, he lives his faith as a Worship Leader at The Feast Sta. Lucia, guiding others through worship and witness. Known to many as Arkitektolits, he is passionate about using his gifts to inspire young designers and honor God through his work.

Second Gift

'The genealogy of Jesus Christ'

Gospel Mt 1:1-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,

whose mother was Tamar.

Perez became the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab.

Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon the father of Boaz,

whose mother was Rahab.

Boaz became the father of Obed,

whose mother was Ruth.

Obed became the father of Jesse,

Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,

whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asaph.

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah became the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amos,

Amos the father of Josiah.

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers

at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,

Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.

Abiud became the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor the father of Zadok.

Zadok became the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud the father of Eleazar.

Eleazar became the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations

from Abraham to David

is fourteen generations;

from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;

from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,

fourteen generations.

Sa Likod ng mga Pangalan

by Father Bong Bayaras

Anong ginagawa natin sa listahan? Ano bang nililista natin? Pwede tayo maglista ng utang. Pwede rin namang maglista tayo ng mga kailangang gawin. Pwede rin maglista ng mga bagay na meron tayo, imbentaryo kumbaga. Nililista natin sino o kanino tayo may utang. Nililista natin ang mga kailangang tapusin. Nililista natin yung mga gamit na mayroon tayo para hindi natin malimutan ang mga bagay bagay o yung mga kinakailangang gawin.

Pero ano naman ang mayroon kapag naglilista tayo ng pangalan? Sa loob ng silid-aralan, nandyan ang listahan ng mga pangalan ng mga estudyante. O di kaya, kapag lumabas ang resulta ng mga exam, nandyan ang listahan ng mga pumasa. Sa loob ng ospital, nandyan din ang listahan ng mga pasyente na may sakit. Sa madaling sabi, naglilista tayo para hindi tayo makalimot. Naglilista ng utang, naglilista ng gagawin, naglilista ng pangalan.

Kaya marahil ito din yung gustong ipaalala sa atin ng mahabang listahan ng mga ninuno ni Jesus. Sa unang tingin, mga pangalan lang naman yung makikita natin. Yung iba kilalang kilala natin. Yung iba hindi rin naman natin kilala. Subalit sa likod ng mga listahan ng mga pangalan na ito ay ang paalala na hindi nakakalimot ang Diyos. Hindi kailangan ng Diyos ng listahan para maalala niya. Tayo ang may kailangan ng mga paalala. Tayo ang kailangang paalalahanan na sa likod ng mga kwento ng mga pangalang nabanggit ay ang pangako ng Diyos na hindi niya tayo iiwan. Sa likod ng mga kwento ng mga listahan ng mga pangalan ay nandun ang pangako ng Diyos ng kaligtasan.

Kung susuriin natin ang bawat pangalan na nabanggit sa talaan ng mga ninuno ni Jesus, iba’t ibang kwento ang madidiskubre natin. May mga masasaya, may malulungkot, may nakakagulat, mayroon ding mga hindi kapani-paniwala. Patunay lamang na kahit ang lahing pinanggalingan ni Jesus ay magulo at hindi perpekto. Subalit sa kabila ng kanilang mga kahinaan, sa kabila ng hindi nila pagiging perpekto, pinili ng Diyos ang kanilang lahi. Pinili ng Diyos na magkatawang-tao. Pinili pa rin ng Diyos na makapiling tayo.

Kahit sa sarili nating mga pamilya at kamag-anak, wala namang makapagsasabi sa atin na lagi tayong masaya. Walang makapagsasabi na hindi nag-aaway away ang ating mga kapamilya. Walang makapagsasabi na lagi lang kasiyahan ang mayroon sa ating mga pamilya. Dahil sa katunayan, lahat tayo, bawat pamilya, sugatan din, may mga alitan, may mga hindi pagkakaunawaan at may mga tampuhan. Ngunit sa kabila niyon, sa tuwing sasapit ang kapaskuhan kaya nating isantabi ang mga tampuhan, kayang kalimutan ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan dahil lamang sa isang simpleng dahilan, magpapasko kasi.

At ito rin ang dulot na katarungan ng Panginoon. Madalas, madali nating naiisip na ang katarungan ng Panginoon ay kung paano dapat ipinapataw ang nararapat na kaparusahan. Kapag ganun ang katarungan ng Panginoon, lahat tayo walang mapapakita, lahat tayo hindi makakaharap ng tapat sa Kanya. Subalit kung tutuusin, kapag hinayaan nating maghari ang katarungan ng Panginoon, ang unang unang mangyayari ay ang mapanumbalik ang mga nasira dahil sa ating mga kasalanan. Bubuoin ang mga nasira. Ipapanumbalik ang mga nawawala at hihilumin ang mga sugat.

Marami na sa atin ang sugatan. Marami na sa atin ang wasak na wasak. Dahil sa mga pagkakamali ng iba, dahil din sa mga pagkakamali natin. Ngunit kung ang dasal natin ay maghari nawa ang katarungan ng Diyos, handa ba tayong maging mga daan at kasangkapan niya ng kanyang katarungan?

Maghahari ang katarungan ng Panginoon sa Kanyang panahon at kalakip niyon ay ang pangako ng kapayapaan. Subalit hindi kinakailangang hintayin ang bukas para makamit iyon, dahil tayo mismo ang gagamitin niyang kasangkapan para sa kanyang katarungan at kapayapaan, ang tanong na lamang ay, handa ba tayo?

Panalangin

Makatarungan at mahabaging Panginoon,tulutan mo nawang kami’y maging laging handa. Handa na maging iyong mga tulay at kasangkapan para sa iyong katarungan at kapayapaan. Sa gitna ng mga gulo na aming dinadanas na amin din namang kagagawan, nawa handa kaming magpasakop sa iyong katarungan upang mabuo muli ang mga nasirang ugnayan, nasirang tiwala nasirang pagmamahal dulot ng aming pagiging makasarili. Nagtitiwala kami sa iyong awa at pagmamahal na tanging lunas naming sa mga sakit na aming nararanasan. Ikaw na naghahari, ngayon at magpakailanman, Amen.

Munting regalo para kay Jesus:

Larawan ng ating pamilya

Fr. Bong Bayaras, pari ng Arkidiyosesis ng Maynila, kasalukuyang nag-aaral ng Liturhiya sa Roma, Italia.

Third Gift

How Jesus Christ came to be born

Gospel Matthew 1:18-24

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

Waiting When Nothing Makes Sense

by Jay Ar Almanzor

Way back in 2023, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. After six years of being a teacher, I finally chose to resign and pursue freelancing. It was not part of my original plan. It was scary. And yes, it was a real leap of faith.

I asked myself so many questions during that season. Am I making the right choice? Will I regret this? Will I survive without the security of a regular paycheck? I had no clear answers. All I had was a quiet nudge in my heart telling me it was time to move.

Two months later, I landed a full time job as a digital content creator for a well known finance guru in the Philippines. I was grateful, but also overwhelmed. Freelancing was a world I barely knew. There were days I doubted myself, wondering if I was really doing things right or simply figuring everything out as I went.

Almost a year later, that season ended unexpectedly. He decided to stop his digital content creation. Once again, I found myself in a place of waiting. No clear next step. No guarantee of what comes next. Just another pause.

And yet, it was in that quiet season that another door opened. A well known speaker, who was connected to him, reached out and offered me an opportunity to work with him. That was two years ago. Until now, I continue to walk this journey, growing in ways I never imagined when I first left teaching.

Looking back, I realize how often God works in the waiting.

There was a time when I kept asking God for answers right away. I wanted clarity. I wanted assurance. I wanted to know exactly where everything was going. But waiting taught me something deeper. That peace does not come from having everything figured out. It comes from trusting God even when the next step is still blurry.

There are moments in life when everything we thought was secure suddenly feels fragile. When plans fall apart. When the future feels unsure. When all we can really do is wait. And waiting is never easy. It tests our faith. It humbles our need for control. It stretches our trust.

In the Gospel, before clarity came, there was confusion. Before peace arrived, there was fear. A man stood at a crossroads, holding plans that suddenly no longer made sense. He could have walked away quietly. He could have chosen what felt safest. But in the middle of that uncertainty, God spoke. And when light finally came, obedience followed.

Justice and peace do not arrive instantly. They grow slowly in the background, often in ways we do not notice at first. In my waiting, I learned that God was not delaying my life. He was shaping it.

What once felt like delay now feels like preparation. What once felt like loss now looks like redirection. Peace did not come from having all the answers. It came from trusting even when nothing made sense.

As we prepare for the birth of Christ, we are reminded that salvation entered the world not through certainty, but through trust. Not through perfect conditions, but through faithful waiting.

And perhaps this is what Advent asks of us too. To wait. To trust. And to believe that even in the seasons that do not yet make sense, God is already at work.

Prayer:

Lord,

Teach us how to wait with faith when life feels uncertain. When answers feel delayed and clarity feels far, remind us that You are still working. Help us to trust Your timing, Your plans, and Your heart. Let Your peace slowly grow within us. Amen.

Gift for Jesus:

This Christmas, offer Jesus the gift of patience.

Choose one situation in your life that you cannot yet control and entrust it fully to God each day. Let your faithful waiting be your birthday gift to Him.

Jay Ar Almanzor, is a photographer, videographer, and Financial Advisor who uses creativity and real life experiences to tell stories of growth, resilience, and intentional living.

Fourth Gift

'Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son'

Gospel Luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah

of the priestly division of Abijah;

his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,

and her name was Elizabeth.

Both were righteous in the eyes of God,

observing all the commandments

and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren

and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest

in his division’s turn before God,

according to the practice of the priestly service,

he was chosen by lot

to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside

at the hour of the incense offering,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,

because your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,

and you shall name him John.

And you will have joy and gladness,

and many will rejoice at his birth,

for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.

He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,

and he will turn many of the children of Israel

to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah

to turn the hearts of fathers toward children

and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,

to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”

Then Zechariah said to the angel,

“How shall I know this?

For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

And the angel said to him in reply,

“I am Gabriel, who stand before God.

I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk

until the day these things take place,

because you did not believe my words,

which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah

and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.

But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,

and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.

He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,

and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,

“So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit

to take away my disgrace before others.”

Season of Waiting

by Anna Mikhaella San Andres

Luke 1:5–25 tells the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who had prayed for years for a child. Their longing was deep and their waiting felt endless. Then one day, an angel appeared with a promise that their prayer would be answered. But instead of rejoicing, Zechariah doubted. His disbelief cost him his voice and he was made mute until the promise was fulfilled.

And waiting does that to us, it wears us down. It makes us question whether our prayers even matter, if our faith is strong enough, and if what we are doing is even right. It can feel like silence from heaven, like nothing is moving. But this passage reminds us of something powerful, that God’s timing always prevails. His plan unfolds in ways we do not expect, and even in our moments of doubt, His grace remains.

I have lived through seasons of waiting that tested everything in me. I remember during the pandemic, I felt like my life was a storm that would not end. My partner lost his job and our business failed. I became the sole breadwinner for two families. There were nights I cried out, “Lord, hindi ko na po talaga kaya.” I felt guilty for doubting, but I was exhausted and afraid. Then a couple of years into the pandemic, it was on my birthday when something changed. My partner got hired and slowly, we began to rebuild. That season taught me resilience, humility, and the truth that surrender is not weakness, it is strength.

Now in my career, I am in another season of uncertainty. I used to find comfort in control, knowing what is next and planning every detail. After more than a decade in my previous role, I transitioned into a new one that feels unfamiliar. I do not have everything figured out and that is hard for me. There are days when I wonder if I am doing enough or if I even belong. Yet, I am learning to let go of the fixed mindset and embrace growth. I now treat every task as an opportunity to learn, even when it feels small. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but it is shaping me in ways I did not expect. I do not know where this will lead me, but I trust that everything will fall into their rightful place at the right time.

Perhaps this is what God is teaching us today. Today, we live in a world obsessed with control. We want to decide everything, know everything, and have it all happen fast. We equate control with safety. But God moves in ways we cannot predict, His timing is better than ours, and His plans are greater than what we imagine. What feels delayed is often preparation for something far more beautiful than we could ever plan.

So if you are in a season of waiting, take heart. You are not forgotten, but you are being prepared. Trust the process and His timing. Because when the promise comes, it will be worth every moment you spent wondering if it ever would.

Prayer

Dear Lord, teach me to trust You when I cannot see the way forward. Help me to let go of my need for control and find peace in Your timing. Remind me that waiting is not wasted and that Your plans are always good. Amen.

Gift for Jesus

Trust that everything will happen according to His plan.

Anna Mikhaella San Andres considers herself a pilgrim on this earth, walking through life with the hope of helping hearts find their way back to Him, one person at a time. Her prayer is that through her words and experiences, someone will discover hope, faith, and the courage to trust God’s timing.

Fifth Gift

"I am the handmaid of the Lord"

Gospel Lk 1:26-38

In the sixth month,

the was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called ,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named ,

of the ,

and the virgin’s name was .

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him .

He will be great and will be called ,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

Justice and Peace in His Time

by Cookie Asuncion

Have you ever been so disappointed—so enraged—that you felt almost hopeless?

I know I have.

When I look back at this year, one of the heaviest moments in my heart is realizing just how broken our country is, especially with the massive corruption in . It hits differently now because it is no longer a “news headline” to me. It is my kids—my own children—whose safety is on the line. The flooding and the unbearable traffic have placed them in danger right in front of their school. And the painful truth is knowing they could have been spared, along with thousands of ordinary citizens, if only the system did not fail us.

Feeling helpless & almost hopeless, I found myself repeatedly blaming the people in office & asking, “Lord, what can I even do? The problem is too big… I am just one person.”

I prayed for peace, asking the Lord to take away the disappointment, the heaviness, the quiet anger sitting in my heart—so I could breathe again, so I could continue living with hope.

And the Lord reminded me when I came across what once said, “Learn to accept disappointments cheerfully, for when we learn to accept them, peace begins.”

I can attest to this because when I prayed for God to grant me peace, He taught me to accept the problems, acknowledge the disappointments and then came peace. When I started to feel at peace, the message of the Gospel from (The Annunciation) is clearer. Before, I’ve always focused on Mary’s submission—how she said yes even in confusion & uncertainty. But this time, something else struck me: God asked her to do something so great that seemed impossible. Something far greater than what any ordinary woman could carry. And yet, her “yes” changed everything.

That made me pause and ask:

“Lord, what do You want me to do?”

This year, my husband and I were called to serve in our community’s work with the poor program in providing educational sponsorship. And slowly, I began to realize…Maybe this is His answer. Maybe this is my task.

We raise funds for deserving scholars. We guide them through . We help them pursue dreams that poverty would have otherwise crushed.

And in these students, I see hope. They are bright, capable, and full of potential—the kind of young people who may one day become leaders who choose integrity, who value justice. I realized I need not look far to say I have done something. My fight against all these evil begins right where God has placed me.

Surrendering my frustrations opened my heart to see God’s purpose to my service. From hopelessness came clarity. From disappointment came purpose.

And with that, I am affirmed of our theme this year that truly, God has a way for “Justice to flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever " - Psalm 72:7

We just have to seek God’s leading through prayer and let Him guide us to what He wants us to do for His purpose.

Prayer

Lord, when disappointments overwhelm me, grant me the grace to accept them that I may have peace. And when I have peace, teach me to know what it is that you want me to do. Help me understand Your purpose for me where You have placed me. Use my small offering to help build a just and peaceful future. Amen.

Gift for Jesus

For the coming Christmas, let us make a personal sacrifice by supporting the education and formation of students by sponsoring a student, donating to scholarship programs — helping shape future leaders rooted in integrity, compassion, and justice.

Carolyn Ann “Cookie” Asuncion is a wife and stay-at-home mom, small business owner, and a member of Couples for Christ – South B. She and her husband actively support ANCOP’s Education Sponsorship Program, believing deeply in the potential of Filipino youth to transform society through faith and good values. Cookie is passionate about uplifting families, building hope, and serving quietly but wholeheartedly where God calls her.

Sixth Gift

"The Birth of Jesus Christ"

Gospel Luke 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us."

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

Silent Justice

by Arnel G. Matias

Advent pulls us back into a season of waiting—a time when we sit with the reality that the world’s a mess, but there’s still hope. This year’s theme, “Justice shall flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever” (Psalm 72:7), hits especially close to home for us Filipinos. Just look around: corruption runs deep, especially in these huge flood-control projects that are supposed to protect people but seem to benefit the wrong folks. There’s this sharp political divide that’s splitting families and friends apart. While some of us are just trying to recover from floods, deal with rising prices, or survive day to day, a handful of leaders live easy, their wealth looking more suspicious by the day. It’s exhausting. Sometimes, it feels like faith itself gets tested.

But then, the Gospel for Advent—Matthew 1:18–24—offers something different. God’s justice doesn’t always start with big gestures; most of the time, it begins quietly, in ordinary lives. Take Joseph, for example. He’s a carpenter, not a hero. He finds out Mary’s pregnant, and you can imagine the confusion, the hurt, maybe even a sense of betrayal. Still, Joseph doesn’t lash out. He doesn’t look for revenge. He tries to protect Mary from shame, even before the angel shows up. And when he’s told God’s plan in a dream, Joseph just trusts. He doesn’t argue, doesn’t hesitate. That simple trust and courage make room for Jesus to be born—the very justice and peace we long for.

Joseph’s story hits home for me. The past years, I ran into my own battles with peace and doing what’s right. Like a lot of people, I got caught up in that political divide that’s tearing through our country. I ended up cutting off friends, not because they hurt me, but just because we didn’t see things the same way anymore. At first, I told myself I needed space for my own sanity. But honestly, the longer it went on, the heavier it felt.

After a while, realizations crept in. I accepted I was part of the problem, too. I let frustration drown out patience. I let differences swallow up relationships. Looking back, I wish I’d stood as steady as Joseph—listened more, reacted less, trusted instead of fearing, chosen unity over walking away. Joseph didn’t let his feelings control him; he left space for God to speak. That’s the kind of strength I’m hoping for now.

The mess we see in our country—corruption, division—it’s daunting. But the Gospel keeps saying: real justice and peace start small, slow, and almost always with ordinary people trying to do what’s right. If we want peace to grow here, it needs to start inside us—in our choices, our words, and the way we patch things up with others. Justice has to take root in our own hearts before it ever shows up in the world.

So this Advent, I’m asking for grace to fix what I’ve broken: friendships that faded, conversations I dodged, bridges I let fall apart because of pride or disappointment. I want the guts to reach out, rebuild, and let compassion matter more than politics. Our country’s hurting, but healing’s possible if enough of us are willing to follow Joseph’s quiet example.

Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us—showed up in a world full of injustice and division. His birth was a sign that God hadn’t checked out on us. Justice will have its day. Peace will last. Advent reminds us: even when we mess up, even in a country weighed down by corruption and conflict, God’s still here—asking us to be the ones who carry justice and peace, starting right where we are.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

Heal our nation and heal our hearts.

Grant us the courage of Joseph—to choose peace in a time of division, to choose justice in a time of corruption, and to choose reconciliation in the relationships we have wounded or lost.

Bring healing to our homes, our friendships, and our beloved Philippines. Amen.

Gift for Jesus:

Offer Him the gift of reconciliation.

Reach out to one friend or family member with whom you have grown distant. A message, a prayer, or a simple “Kamusta ka?” can be your humble offering of peace to Jesus this Christmas.

Arnel G. Matias is an IT professional with 30+ years of experience in technology leadership, infrastructure management, application support, and security services. He is currently the Lead IT Support for a US Based Recruiting Agency. He also runs a small boutique consulting firm, iPinas Consulting, with a team of developers delivering digital solutions to local and international clients. He previously served as a QA facilitator, trainer, and workshop contributor for Bizmates Philippines, and also has extensive IT operations experience in the United States. A lifelong learner passionate about service and innovation, Arnel enjoys photography, reading, and collecting hobby toys.

Seventh Gift

"The Magnificat"

Gospel Luke 1:46-56

Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months

and then returned to her home.

Joyful

By Jo Canon

Mary's powerful fiat challenges us to live a faithful life. She was humble enough to make haste to assist her cousin Elizabeth. Imagine she was conceiving the son of the Most High and yet it did not keep her from answering the needs of those around her.

Her response to the need of others was a fruit of her humility; her focus was not on herself but on sharing the love she experienced from God. This is what it means to be loved by God, to love others the way God loves us.

If we only realized that we too are blessed, we will jump up and down and will not stop thanking God for the blessings we are continuously receiving. Thus, our gratitude will be expressed in every visitation we are doing and gifts we are sharing.

This advent lets give the gift of time to our loved ones, time to visit the sick, the elderly and most importantly those who are in need of justice, hope and love.

Prayer

Thank you Mama Mary for your unconditional love and protection. Like her, may we share our time and energy to help others the same way as Mary did for her cousin Elizabeth.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen

Gift for Jesus

This Christmas, let us go back to the basics. Gift your friends and family with a greeting card and write your message of appreciation and affirmation.

Jocelyn Canon is a member of the Legion of Mary and Comite de Festejos of Pasig City.

Eighth Gift

Copyright from http://www.freebibleimages.org/

'His name is John'

Gospel Luke 1: 57-66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child

she gave birth to a son.

Her neighbors and relatives heard

that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,

and they rejoiced with her.

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,

they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,

but his mother said in reply,

“No. He will be called John.”

But they answered her,

“There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.

He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”

and all were amazed.

Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,

and he spoke blessing God.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors,

and all these matters were discussed

throughout the hill country of Judea.

All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,

“What, then, will this child be?

For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”

Renewal of Praise through Obedience

by Jhun Ray Esquillo

If we recall, in the announcement of the birth of John (Luke 1:5-25), Zechariah doubted the angel's promise that his wife would bear a son due to their advanced age. Because of this, he became speechless, which prevented him from praising God through his words.

His speech was restored when he performed an act of obedience. He demonstrated it in Luke 1:62-64 when he was asked what the name of his son would be. Since he cannot speak, they made signs to ask him. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. This is the same name that Elizabeth wants for their son. Immediately after agreeing to name his son John, his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessings to God.

This passage shows us that an act of obedience to our God, even if it's just one definite action, can renew our ability to praise Him. This is demonstrated when Zechariah's ability to speak and praise was restored because of his obedience in naming his son John. Because of obedience, his doubt transforms into devotion. Doubt is rooted in how we perceive the world through our senses, understanding, and feelings. Zechariah's knowledge that it is difficult to have a child in old age made him doubt the angel's promise. On the other hand, devotion is rooted in the reality of God, His will, His blessings, and His promises. When Zechariah obeyed, he regained his ability to speak, which allowed him to express his devotion through his words.

Additionally, Zechariah's obedience in naming his son John breaks their naming tradition, which shows that God’s will takes precedence over all human traditions and customs. Our call as Christians is to align ourselves with His revealed will, regardless of what the world says, its traditions, and its customs. Obedience is considered the highest form of our response to our God because we are placing our will beneath God’s will. We believe that His will is better than our will, and His plans are better than our plans. It is also placing God’s will above human traditions and customs.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we prepare for Christ’s coming, renew my praise through humble obedience. There are times that I struggle with doubt and fear; Help me to trust you and your promises, grant me the grace to surrender my will and to place your will above my own desires. Teach me to align my life to your holy will so that, like Zechariah, I may proclaim Your faithfulness and goodness. Amen.

Gift for Jesus

Obedience is our gift to Him. Obedience is a tangible representation of our love for God. Placing His will above our will shows that we value the relationship with Him more than our own desires.

Jhun Ray Esquillo is a mechanical engineer and a college instructor. He is also serving in CFC Singles for Christ.