Federation of Filipino-Chinese Catholic Women's Organizations

Sharing Gods Love

The Real Meaning Of Christmas
The Real Meaning Of Christmas

It's that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas? 
 
But for  many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. Our country experience tragic calamities for the past 3 years. We lost our love ones, our homes, our friends, our neighbors. A lot of Filipinos have no money, no home to celebrate Christmas.. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. For some a simple Christmas dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some. 
 
Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.
 

Luke 2: 4-19 says:

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."


Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins. 
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over. 
 
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." I John 1:9
 
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day. 
 
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.
 
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice
 

Sharing God’s Love for 2013

It was a busy year for FFCCWO National Board 2012-2014, headed by our National President Juana Go and COP Mely Tieng, the founder of Sharing God’s Love.  For 2013, a few of our local chapters were greatly affected with natural calamities that needs our help.  Truly God Himself has guided our Federation to create the Sharing God’s Love.  It was not a coincidence or just an opportunity to raise funds but it was our Lord showing us how blessed we are and how important is working together as one Federation helping others who are in need. It is also His way in reminding us that giving and helping others is always been the way in following His Message and teaching.  This year has been a challenge of all Filipinos, but with the generosity of our local chapters, families, friends, business associate nothing is impossible.  We would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks to Msgr. Bong Lo, for his personal assistance and support not only in asking for donations but for personally accompanying us to Tagbilaran and hopefully in Tacloban by next year.  By the Grace of God, we can help the survivors building their life back with the blessing of our Lord.

 

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