KRISMASAYA: Finding the True Joy of Christmas in Christ

By Didi Marañon, Elim Vision Director

Merry Christmas, everyone!

We all know that Christmas is a season of lights. Kumikinang ang mga kalye, ang mga malls, ang mga parol, at Christmas trees. (The streets, malls, lanterns, and Christmas trees are all sparkling.) Even the songs are happy.

But amid all this sparkle, we are in a world still in darkness. That's the irony of it all.

Napansin niyo ba na kung minsan, kahit na Pasko, ay parang matamlay ang ating mga puso? (Have you noticed that sometimes, even though it’s Christmas, our hearts feel heavy?) Our spirits are tired—and even our bodies—sa dami ng ginagawa at inaasikaso ‘pag Pasko (with so much to do and attend to during the season).

There is almost a pressure that you need to be happy because it is Christmas. But we know that many people are weary or lonely. Maraming pagod, malungkot, o umaasa ng mas matiwasay na buhay. (Many are tired, sad, or hoping for a more peaceful life.)

Light in the Darkness

Isaiah 9:2 says, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

Maganda ang pagkakasabi sa Tagalog: (It is beautifully said in Tagalog:)

“Nakakita ng isang maningning na liwanag ang bayang matagal nang lumalakad sa kadiliman; sumikat na ang liwanag sa mga taong naninirahan sa lupaing balot ng dilim.”

Krismasaya is not just masayang pasko (a merry Christmas). It is joy that shines in the midst of darkness. Let me share with you the heart of Krismasaya.

1. The Mystery of the Manger

The first Christmas was not grand. Hindi magarbo noong pinanganak si Hesus. Payak. (Jesus wasn’t born in luxury. It was simple.) It was poor, quiet, and hidden.

Yet in that humble stable, heaven kissed the earth. The Almighty became a child. Ang makapangyarihang Diyos ay naging isang sanggol. (The Almighty God became an infant.) The Creator became one of us.

John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Masasabi natin na ang buod ng isang masayang Pasko ay wala sa kung anong matatanggap natin, kundi kung sino ang dumating. (We can say that the essence of a merry Christmas isn't in what we receive, but in Who arrived.) It is Jesus, the Emmanuel—God with us.

2. Joy That Doesn't Depend on Circumstance

The shepherds were not rich. Mahihirap sila, ngunit sila ang unang nakarinig ng Magandang Balita. (They were poor, yet they were the first to hear the Good News.)

Mama Mary and Papa Joseph had little in terms of worldly goods, but their hearts overflowed with wonder. Therefore, Krismasaya is not the absence of struggle. It is the presence of Christ in the struggle.

Kung ano man ang pinagdaraanan mo ngayong Pasko, kapatid, ang importante ay matanto natin na si Hesus ay kasama natin. (Whatever you are going through this Christmas, brother/sister, what matters is realizing that Jesus is with us.)

Joy is not when everything is perfect. Joy is when we realize that God is with us even when things are not.

How to Live the Spirit of Krismasaya

1. Kilalanin si Kristo (Know Christ) 

Do we still recognize Him, or have we let the noise drown Him out? Masyadong madaming ingay ‘pag Pasko. (There is too much noise during Christmas.)

My advice to you this season is to pause. Manahimik lang ng sandali. (Just be silent for a moment.) Amidst the shopping and reunions, be still. Make space for Him. Krismasaya begins when Christ is born—not only in Bethlehem but also in our hearts.

2. Tanggapin ang Kanyang Pagmamahal (Receive His Love)

Many of us carry silent wounds. Yung hindi nakikita ng mga tao. (The kind people don’t see.) You might carry it well, never showing others your hardships, grief, or regrets.

But the Christ child came to tell us, “You are not alone. You are loved.” Hayaan nating pagalingin ni Lord ang mga sugat sa ating puso. (Let us allow the Lord to heal the wounds in our hearts.)

3. Ibahagi ang Kanyang Pagmamahal (Share His Love)

True joy overflows. Kung meron ka talagang kagalakan, hindi yan pwedeng itago mo lang. (If you truly have joy, you cannot just hide it.)

Christmas is incomplete if it stays within our homes. Ibahagi natin ang pagmamahal na galing kay Lord sa ibang tao. (Let us share the love that comes from the Lord with others.) Krismasaya happens when we give without counting, when we reach out to the forgotten, and when we forgive those who hurt us.

4. Sambahin Siya (Worship Him) 

Worship the Lord like the shepherds and the magi. Let us fall on our knees. Pangaralan at sambahin si Kristo. (Honor and worship Christ.)

Worship is the soul's response to God's goodness.

• Thank You, Lord, sa aking pamilya (for my family).

• Thank You, Lord, na may pambili ako ng regalo (that I have money for gifts).

• Thank You, Lord, sa mga kaibigan at kapatid kay Kristo (for friends and brethren in Christ).

The more we adore Him, the more we are filled with joy.

Conclusion

You know the song, "Joy to the World"? Yan mismo ang diwa ng Pasko. (That is the very essence of Christmas.) The arrival of Christ on earth and in our hearts is the cause of our joy.

Ang Krismasaya ay hindi panandaliang pakiramdam. (Krismasaya is not a fleeting feeling.) It is the peace of knowing that God is with us and for us.

Nawa’y maging tunay na Krismasaya ang ating Pasko ngayong taon. (May our Christmas this year be truly joyful—Krismasaya.)

God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

A Prayer for a Krismasaya Heart

Let us pray.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You are the joy of our hearts and the reason for our hope. Be born in us again—in our homes and in our hearts. Teach us to find joy, not in what we receive, but in who You are.

Make our Christmas truly Krismasaya: full of Your peace, Your presence, and Your love.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.