Tidings of Laughter and Joy

I could ramble on and on about what I've been doing lately, but in the service of brevity, allow me to simply enumerate, in chronological order:

1. 2nd International Congress on Education in Love, Sex, and Life: Love, Laughter, and Life Ever After at EDSA Shangri-La. (And if you thought that was a mouthful, I assure you, it was a happily taxing as it sounds.)
2. Real Love Revolution at Le Pavilion, Roxas Boulevard.
3. Pilot Alpha Course, St. Francis Seraph Retreat House, Maghaway, Talisay City, Cebu.
4. Values Talk (with Alpha Introduction), Golden ABC, best known for their flagship brand, Penshoppe.
5. Alpha Advisers Meetings (Celsa Uy, Danny Carreon), Manila.
6. Alpha IT Day, Tent of Praise Ministries, West Rembo, Makati.
7. Alpha Live Speakers Training, Tent of Praise Ministries, West Rembo, Makati.
8. Preaching, Building Bridges Ministries, BMMC, Makati.

Oddly, despite the fact that I will soon be leaving for Cagayan de Oro for the following:

1. SERVE LIFE Congress Rosevale School, Xavier Estates Phase IV, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. (Where I have a press conference with the mayor, Hon. Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula)
2. Bishop's Brunch (To introduce Alpha to key clergymen and lay leaders).
3. Alpha Philippines Strategic Planning Session for Alpha Advisers.

I feel an odd sort of peace. Perhaps it's the Season for it. When I turned to my bible the other day, if only to renew myself in the many wonders which continue to bring light worldwide precisely because "a child was born", my eyes strayed to the following verses:

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

It's interesting how even from the very beginning, our Lord began teaching us how to welcome Him into our lives: through prayerful reflection and joyful action. Through the example of Our Lady, and the pure, simple folk who knew, despite their lack of sophistication, how to receive tidings of laughter and joy, let's try to make our holidays more in keeping with the Season.

Reflect. Pray. Share our joy!

Photo Credits:

Picture of The Nativity comes courtesy of New Line Cinema: The Nativity Story.