Christmas Message From The Ambassador

Embassy of the Philippines 4th Flr., Nedre Vollgate 4 0158 Oslo, Norway
Jurisdiction: Norway, Denmark & Iceland

MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR ELIZABETH P. BUENSUCESO

In the name of Him who is the real reason for the season, I send to you warm Christmas greetings on behalf of my family, the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy, and the government of the Republic of the Philippines. I pray that the Lord would always bless you and keep you in His loving arms and that you welcome Him in your hearts and minds. I also pray that your Christmas celebration be a meaningful one, focused on the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Giver and Sustainer of our lives and the Star that guides us all in our lives here in Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

More than 750 years before He was born, the Messiah’s coming had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. (Isa 9:6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christmas is the celebration of this prophecy come true. When the world was oppressed by sin, tyranny, poverty and injustice, the Father had promised a deliverer, a Savior who was going to pay the price set for this oppression. Jesus was to be that Man. He was God but He chose to be born a mere human to demonstrate the humble heart with which He had wanted to fulfill the plans of the Father. He was born in a lowly manger but the royalty of Heaven proclaimed and rejoiced in His coming.

Humility, sacrifice and victory - these are the words which characterize his birth, death and resurrection. We must not be tempted to merely picture Him forever as a helpless infant in a crib. This baby grew up, became an excellent youth, obeying and loving his human parents, performed a very public and miracle-laden ministry in his adult life and then fulfilled the will of the Father even if it cost Him his life. But His story does not end there either. He conquered death and was resurrected and had left behind the Holy Spirit to be our Wonderful Counselor until He returns and takes us to dwell with Him in heaven.

This is the same message I would like to convey to you this Christmas season. Let us be like Jesus in demonstrating these virtues in our lives. With humility, let us acknowledge that all that we have today- our jobs, family, material possessions, talents, and gifts all come from Him. We need, therefore to share these with those who have less in life, especially those we left behind in the Philippines. For this is the essence of sacrifice. The Father gave His son, and I do not know of any other more painful experience than to give up one’s child for the sake of others who are not even worthy of it. Finally, let us live victorious lives. Let us conquer the spirit of conflict, sin, envy, uncaring and malice which are from Satan and replace it by the fruit of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. In this way may we be able to uplift our country, cheer our countrymen and serve our God.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa aking mga Kababayan sa Norway, Denmark at Iceland, mula sa inyong Embahada!

Sino At Ano Ang Miss Mo Ngayong Pasko?

Growing up from a little barrio where every inhabitants are familiar and known is a wonderful experience. I grew up in Baranggay M. Parang, Sta. Maria, Bulacan. We celebrate Christmas every First week of January. It is called as Pasko ng Tatlong Hari (Celebrates every January 6, 7, 8). That celebration Commemorate the visit of the Magi to the Lord Jesus after He was born. The tradition in our Barrio still continue up to this time but there are those who celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December at this time. Now that I and my family are away from home, i sincerely misses the time I'm going from house to house to pay a visit to our relatives, friends and ka babarrio during the Christmas season. I remember my Nanay singing a song for me..."Ang magandang Christmas Tree natutuwa ang marami..." My father who use to work as a tricycle driver then use to bring home some food and fruits so we may have something to eat on our table together. Kapag tapos na kaming mamasko na mga bata, punta naman kami sa kalye to buy some toys and have some fun outside. Hay naku talaga...ang daming kasiyahan at kasayahan sa aming Barrio kapag ganitong panahon tulad ng Family reunion, outing atbp.

I'm turning 4 years away from my parents in the Philippines this coming January. However, Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord kasi i found an extended family away from my family and a home away from home in Norway. The celebration may be different from the way I grew up, yet, the Lord blesses me beyond all measure as I found a home in the heart of our JIL-brethren in this part of the world. The love, concern and affection you showed me and my family is more than enough to say how glad and blessed are we for having you as our extended family here.

Sobrang tuwa at saya namin, Kasi ngayon Florenz (my wife) and I celebrate Christmas with our baby Eddielijah. First Christmas ni Jajah(Eddielijah's nickname) itong Christmas of 2008. Eddielijah turn to be a covenant ring of God in our married life. Each day that I'm looking on Jajah, hindi ko maiwasang maluha sa kagalakan. The Lord constantly reminded me of His great faithfulness, abundant mercy, amazing grace. What we have experience is beyond our understanding and finite mind. Lagi ko na lang sinasabi "We Are Highly Favored By God" . Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

With all honesty and sincerity I misses so much my Nanay Lita, Tatay Fidel at Si Bunso (Jemuel) this Christmas season. Totoo, I miss the celebration in our barrio. However this is not a season to make us sad because we are temporarily away from our family back in the Philippines.

This is a season to focus on the reason for the season. God commendeth His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. More than what a big fat, old man wearing in a red clothes can give. The birth of Jesus brings good news that brings forth real joy and peace.

When the Angel appeared to the shepherd, the angel did not come to declare the judgments of the Lord, but his merciful loving-kindness, the subject being a matter of great joy. He then declares his message unto the Jews first, and then to the entire human race. The good news is not exclusively for the Jews, but for all the inhabitants of the whole earth.

The Saviour was prophecied as the Prince of peace, (Isa 9:6). The world is at war with God; sinners are at enmity against their Maker and against each other. There is no peace to the wicked. But Jesus came to make peace; and this he did reconciled the world to God by His atonement, he brings the sinner to a state of peace with his Maker; inducing him to lay down the weapons of rebellion and to submit his soul to God, thus giving him the peace which passeth all understanding, he diffused in the heart universal good-will to people - "disposing," people to lay aside their differences, to love one another, to seek each other's welfare, and to banish envy, malice, pride, lust, passion, and covetousness-in all ages the most fruitful causes of difference among people, And, by diffusing the principles of universal peace among nations.

If the gospel of Jesus should universally prevail, there would be an end of war. In the days of the millennium there will be universal peace; all the causes of war will have ceased; people will love each other and do justly; all nations will be brought under the influence of the gospel. O how should each one toil and pray that the great object of the gospel should be universally accomplished, and the world be filled with peace!

Sana ngayong Pasko, si Jesus ang sentro ng ating pagdiriwang. Joy and peace from Him are available if you will received Him as Lord and Saviour of your life.

A Very Merry Christmas And Let Us Welcome The New Year Of Overflowing Blessing in 2009.

CYN Norway...Bag Second Place In Youth Got Talent In Oslo, Norway

The CYN (Christian Youth For The Nation) of JIL-Norway bag the second place for the YOUth Got Talent Competition in Oslo, Norway last November 21, 2008. Participated by different Youngster from different walks of life in Oslo, the CYN of Norway take a giant step of faith by participating in the said competition.

Though there are other Christian group that participated in the said competition, they are the only group that render a Christian Praise And Worship song for the Lord. Indeed the glory of God manifested in the lives of our dearest CYN as they utter word of prayer and thanksgiving to God in the said event. Praise God, they bag the Second Place in the said competition.

Proceeds won by the CYN from the competition were donated by our Youth for the Church Building Fund of JIL-Norway.

Congratulation...CYN...keep up the good work!!! God Richly Bless You!!!

(1 Tim 4:12 - Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.)

WE LOVE YOU SO DEARLY