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.
