ABC STARS Inspires

Rejoice! It is the season of Advent and The Star is about to rise... Amidst a dark 2018 sickness, death, destruction, fake news and lies. After a year for the consecrated, now comes the year for the youth - Renewed heart with greater compassion and zest for the pursuit of truth! With the efforts of the United Nations, Yemen is blessed with a ceasefire. With much strife in Syria, there is still hope for healing, music and the lyre. In our beloved Pearl of the Orient, amidst a continuing culture of impunity, The Balangiga bells shall ring again to rally tested spirits weary but free! In our own limits and confines of wherever we find ourselves to be, On vacation, at work, in transit, heavy traffic, as far as the eyes can see, Much ado about a lot of things and yet they fail to perpetually satisfy. A journey of healing, walking by the bay, up a hill, continues to intensify! With greater patience, as this unquenchable desire is ready to burst. With joy...

About 2025 years ago, a Light shone bright on Bethlehem town. Wrapped in swaddling clothes far from an opulent royal gown. Emmanuel, “God with us”, such a phenomenon, it must be crazy. To be human like us, taking pain and suffering, abandoning all glory! In present times when we have the darkest, saddest moments of life, Faced with uncertainties, sickness, death, and unending fraternal strife, Much struggle it becomes to see beyond the pervading storms of doubt. Much emptiness, helplessness, this draining deep experience of drought! Ah, where could solace in these trying times be adequately sought? Christmases thru the years, this Saviour born in a family has brought. In each home we thus venture to share the Season’s hope and joy; Taking journeys all over to seek the saving grace of Mary’s baby boy! From Bohol to Baguio, and to Bicol, I have seen Bethlehem’s Light! From the darkness, I have witnessed the saving power of His Might! ...

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio When my father was imprisoned during Martial Law because he fought against the dictatorship of the late former President Marcos, he wrote to my mother that there was a plant in a small pot and then one day, a flower bloomed.  It reminded him of my mother. And, he wrote how he missed her. The flower gave him hope. It was in 1981 or so when that happened. Our mother and my siblings visited him. I remember that it was a small prison cell. It was dark and had a small window with bars. It was desolate and I felt despondent. This year a day before Christmas during my early morning exercise I saw a man walking with a shirt that has hope boldly imprinted on it. It was a reminder for me to write for Christmas yet again. Hope is a beautiful and precious thing. Nothing is h...

Caja de hierro and Servilleta: Those two words always resonate with me whenever I remember Papa and Mama. The vault was stolen a long time ago. However, whenever my Papa would say the word, it had a depth and a clarity. One word- security. The table napkin had Carpio Family embroidered with it. It was a yellow cloth and it came more than a dozen. My Mama would carefully fold them and, then, neatly stack them inside the cupboard. It is Christmas. My Holiday memories are neatly stacked like the table napkins inside the vault. To be simply put, my Christmas memories with my parents are treasured inside my heart. My parents' love lives on in me, especially, during the Christmas Season. I remember the two of them making the Season memorable. My Papa would write a poem for the Christmas card. He would put up the tree and the farol. My Mama would decorate the whole house with trimmings and ornaments. The Advent wreath and the Nativity scene were more r...