Every where you go in this Christmas season you can find a Nativity scene — Jesus, born in a manger, with Joseph and Mary.

What does it mean if Jesus is BORN in our hearts?

B – Believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Sadly, John 1:11 is still prevalent in our world — “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” To those of us who believes in Jesus, we are given the privilege and a burden to spread the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

O – Obey the commands of Jesus.

Jesus left his disciples these challenging words found in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” This is a simple yet a very difficult command. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to follow the imperative commands of our Lord.

R – Remember to help those who need you.

If Jesus is in our lives, then our selfishness is in a continuing process of being replaced by selflessness. Jesus is teaching us that in Matthew 25:40 that we need to go out of our way to help others because we are doing it for Jesus — “The King will reply, +I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.+”

N – Never let anybody else rule your life except Jesus.

Revelations 19:16 declares that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. If this is so, then why do we want lesser beings to rule our lives. Let us be like the Magi who bowed down and worshiped Jesus.

May this Christmas season be a time to reflect the birth of Jesus in our lives.

Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Acting Director
Office of Communications
Central Philippine University