ABC STARS Inspires

  "...Long time ago in Bethlehem So the Holy Bible say Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ Was born on Christmas day..." Why? Saint Peter denied Jesus. Saint Thomas doubted Jesus. Saint Martha was too busy. Saint Mary Magdalene worked in the oldest profession. Saint Dimas was a thief. Some were deaf. Some were blind. Some were mute. Some were lepers. Some were tax collectors. Some were prodigal sons. Some were prodigal daughters. Some were like lost sheep. Some were rich. Some were poor. Some were Patrician. Some were Plebeian. Some were Samaritans. Some were Jews. Some were Gentiles. Some were hungry. Some were thirsty. Some were naked. Some were in prison. And, Job was immensely tested. The list goes on… And it is long… More than billions of souls. So, What is Christmas? For all of the above. For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to redeem us all. For sinners; me and you and her and him. Again for us all. May you be inspired by The Holy Spirit and May...

That would be Noel and his wife, Cesyl.  Technically, we are both Jameses. He is James the Great. And I am James the Less. We were both named after Saints. He asks the most peculiar things from me. And I always try to make it happen. Being my second critic, he wants me to do more. Because I think he knows I could. He has bragging rights to greet people: "Joyeux Noel!", French for Merry Christmas!

Do you believe in God? He asked me. Then, I said, "yes, I do". He told me whatever they did that was hurtful to you will all come back to them. I thought to myself no I don't want that... Then, He told me talk to them. Then, they will be your friends. I spoke to him. Then, he reached out. Then, I left. I met a man of peace. Then, I became a man of peace. Funny, how life can be... When I decided to be a hermit, people from my past and present keep popping up out of nowhere. Someone once said that you do not meet anyone by accident, it was meant to be. Living in a foreign country was freedom for me. It was freedom because I am naturally shy and an introvert. And, that is not a disorder, a social trait.  In the same way that being outgoing and an extrovert. Better explained as apples and oranges. Being anti-social is a disorder on the other hand.  Shy is normal. When I listen to people I process their statements outright. The ...

Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away. This year... Stop right there. That is not, definitely, a Christmas Carol. It just starts off with the word Christmas in the beginning line. Last Christmas, on Christmas Day, I heard the sad news that there was going to be a powerful typhoon. So, I prayed in front of the Nativity scene and said, "Baby Jesus, Happy Birthday! Please protect my home." Then, I slept like a baby that night. The next morning, I woke up and no damage at all. When I met friends, they were recounting how horrific the storm was. It was howling like crazy. It was as if the weather conditions became beyond psychotic, lunatic, and delusional. It was unbelievable how the wrath of the storm, literally, destroyed everything on its path. I just kept silent. Really quiet. Because I didn't have those experiences. Because I prayed. Because I prayed to Baby Jesus. And, I held...

More than a cathedral, is a pregnant mother! A living temple of the Holy Spirit! A loving tabernacle of life! No other Human handiwork approaches near it! So Mommy carried you with feeling! With pride! Her overflowing love was evident We were then campaigning far and wide, "Twill be a girl" she said, wherever we went, "She follows our second three boys in a row, "She'll be our third girl, sibling number nine." Indeed, with faith, blessings overflow. Greater than all our dreams is God's design! You came on Gaudete—Rejoice!—Sunday, God chose To give us Rose Maricon, our mystic rose! 17 December 1994

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Scott began to think about his late father.  He never met him. He died when he was three years old. And, ever since then, he would always ask his family about him. Scott was born on Christmas Day. He was told that his father wrapped him in fancy paper with Holiday trimmings for the family picture. Every Christmas Season, and especially, on his birthday, he would wonder about him. Then, he would take out from his small wooden chest an old picture. It was the old Family Christmas Photo. Then, he would stare at the tree. It was the brightest tree he had ever seen. His mother, told him, that during those times when his father was alive, the whole family would drive down south and ask a farmer for a tree. A real pine tree. His older brother, Abraham, enthusiastically, told him that the pine needles would fall off as days passed by, then, the Christmas scent filled and ...

Brandon received a call from Elizabeth, his cousin, he was still sleepy. It was Christmas Day. Liz told him that their Uncle Ron had a massive heart attack and died at 3:00 a.m. at the hospital. Brandon was somber. His Uncle died at the ripe age of 92 years old. He thought it was his time.

Reminiscing, "Rain on the Roof", taught on piano by my mother Please stay, your pitter-patter makes me matter I do not mind even if it takes you a few days If you want you could last until midnight with only the moon and stars' rays I am glad there is no need for a rain dance In this tropical part of the world, you are taken for granted, not a glimpse nor a glance I missed you in lands where you were shy, and stayed for just minutes But here, if I ask, sometimes, you appear, sporadically, in pieces and bits As long as you don't intensify into a storm Then we'll be fine, and no remorse will form Today is the final day of the year, indeed, you are a shower of blessings May the new one — bring joy, love, and peace—as we exchange hugs and wonderful greetings! photo credit: S.A. Street Photographer Umbrella Man via photopin (license) License: (license)

Dearest Noel, Jim, Pablo, Philip, Anlu, Connie, Che, Nonnoy, Bobby, Marivic, Popon, Jay, Boy, and Tess: For a long time now, your friends have been telling you that there is no Santa Claus. That Santa is no one else but Papa. There is that song, "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe last night." But, there is that other song, too—"he knows when you've been bad or good; so be good for goodness sake ." If Santa Claus is no one else but the fathers, then there would be millions of Santa Claus throughout the world. And how about those families where their fathers are no more? Is there no Santa Claus for them? And as you grew older, you must have wondered why I always answered, yes, there is a Santa Claus. Let's solve the mystery: Why don't we see the real Santa Claus? Because He is a spirit. If He is a spirit, then how many Santa Claus are there throughout the world? Only one. Does He personally go to all the families ...

'Um, Santa, I am a little bothered. Why are you decorating the Christmas tree?' As Susan parted her golden locks. 'Because I want everyone to feel a warm fuzzy feeling of joy when they see my masterpiece. And I am helping your despondent Dad, since your Mum passed on two months ago.' Kim, the brunette, giggled. 'But Santa, that is so gay. And you are a man!' 'Shhhh... shhhh.... the evil one will hear that and he will have a field day.' 'It is not gay at all. Whenever a man or a woman creates something that is good they are taking part in the wonderful miracle of Creation. 'God the Father created the dainty flowers, the graceful birds, the majestic mountains, the delicate snowflakes and every beautiful thing you see on earth. Most importantly, both of you and I, were made in His own image and likeness.' And when God looked at His handiwork, He said, "It's good." 'It is just that the fallen ang...

I wonder... what if Christmas would not have been? If Mary doubted, faltered, and didn't agree To the message of the angel, unforseen By mortals --- she, who knew no man, would be The mother of the Messiah long foretold? But, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord", She said, accepting all that was to unfold "Be it done to me, according to thy word!" It is written, "Yahweh calls by name Long before we are formed in our mother's womb." Still, He needs her fiat just the same. For a woman may will her womb to be a tomb Or a tabernacle of life awaiting morn! Echoing the first Christmas when Christ was born! Christmas 1993 photo credit: Annunciation Glass - Mary via photopin (license) License: (license)

There was no room at the traveler's house           No room for Mary, heavy with child! That Joseph took his virgin spouse           To a stable for creatures meek and mild. And so, when midnight turned into morn           A star came down when all was still For Jesus, the Son of God! was born           And lay in a manger on a hill! The shepherds - who, are perhaps the least           Among the poor upon this earth - In Bethlehem, in the Middle East,           Were first to know of the Savior's birth! From angels singing hymns of glory           To God in the highest, on earth, peace Unto the just. The ageless story           Of how wars and strife may cease! Something's there in humble things So endearing to the King of kings! 6 December 1990 photo cr...

We wondered, what will Christmas be this year           When death and desolation stalk the land? Thousands lost their homes, their kin most dear           In a frenzy of floods and winds and boiling sand! And yet, still they hope! And not in vain!           Facing tomorrow from fathomless deprivation Seizing joy from sorrow, embracing pain!           Upholding life, sheer life, with jubilation! There must be something more than mortal then           Whence springs hope. And indomitable will. Faith! Fulfilled when God dwelt among men!           Born of the Virgin in a cave on a hill! God with us! Heaven's choirs sing out! Isn't this what Christmas is all about? Christmas 1991 photo credit: 果子 via photopin (license) License: (license)

Christmas is caroling all around. It is "no class"! And gifts abound! Christmas is a lot of fun! But is there Christmas for everyone? I asked my mother, and now I know How Christmas came, long, long ago. For God so loved the world, He gave us His only begotten Son to save us! One starry midnight when all stood still Jesus was born in a cave on a hill Because there was no room in the inn For Joseph and Mary and our Saviour from sin! God became man in a family. Like everyone. Like you. Like me. That's why families are holy Rich or poor, mighty or lowly. So Christmas is more, much more than fun It's God loving everyone! Loving every family! Loving teacher, and you and me! December 1994 ______________________ Signs of the times "Why did Mary and Joseph take the boy Jesus to Jerusalem with them?" asked the Sunday School teacher. "Because they couldn't get a baby-sitter?...

He chose to come as one among His own.           Be born of Mary. A helpless little babe. Whose coming was foretold yet came unknown           Save to the Magi and shepherds by a cave Who saw the angels sing their songs of praise           To God and peace on earth to men of goodwill. The humble, first to adore Him face to face!           The Savior! In a manger! On a hill! Bethlehem foreshadowing Calvary.           We still spurn Him --- Lord of all creation! This we do --- because He made us free ---           From generation unto generation All the while thirsting that strife may cease. Why not be men of goodwill? His way to peace? 4 December 1988 photo credit: _6010265 via photopin (license) License: (license) photo credit:  Lamb of God 03 via photopin (license) License: (l...

"Mary, are you tired, my love?           "Again, no room in this inn for you!" They traveled on. A Star above           Came closer. For her time was due. "Don't worry, love, all will be fine." "They told me, there's a stable near,           "Inside a cave, beyond that pine." "I'm alright, Joseph, have no fear." The Star soon hung upon that hill.           For on a manger made of hay While angels sung and all was still           The new-born Saviour, Jesus, lay. Be born in us! O Prince of Peace! May our fraternal strife soon cease! 12 December 1987 photo credit: Presepe via photopin (license) License: (license) photo credit: Cold and Desolate via photopin (license) License: (license)

Image courtesy of chrisroll at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Today is special --- the day you turn eighteen. You've grown so well, in age and wisdom and grace. I still remember, perhaps you wouldn't have been If not for Mommy's faith, her heroic ways. Long ago, when Thirteen was eight months old, Mommy had a stroke, was paralyzed. "No further pregnancies" so she was told, "Or else your life would be jeopardized!" She didn't agree. She said, "That cannot be! "There's got to be a buddy for James the Less "So James the Great, Fourteen, is coming, you'll see!" She talked with God that's why. He answered, "Yes!" Great was our joy that December morn! Mommy was well! You were naturally born! 9 Dec 94

Image courtesy of digidreamgrafix  at FreeDigitalPhotos.net There's something holy in a family Woven into God's unfathomable Plan. The Redeemer could so easily Have come, like Adam, fully grown as man. Yet He, the Truth, the Life, the Way, was born Of Mary in a manger on a hill When that starry midnight turned to morn While peace was on the land and all was still. In a family, He grew in grace and age, Like any other being on this Earth. The Lord of Creation! earning a carpenter's wage! 'Twas He himself, who chose a humble birth! Could it be, for the mighty and the lowly, The family is blessed! To keep us, holy? Christmas, 1992