As usual, Fr. Martin Ip celebrated the 8 p.m. Christmas Eve mass. He arranged the helpers of the Sunday School to perform a mini-drama to convey the Christmas message for the congregation. This year, the message was a bit deep and the congregation did not quite get it. They did not know the drama had finished!
The plot was very simple. St. Joseph guarded the entrance to the Land of Happiness. People who wanted to live in this piece of Land had to bring a gift to prove that they were peaceful people. Then came three modern magi. The first one brought gold. He explained that he would buy anything, even love, with his gold. The second one brought knowledge. With knowledge, he would be able to solve all problems on earth. The last one brought Uranium! He would blow up anybody who threatened peace! Of course they were rejected by St. Joseph when they came to the entrance. In the ear of each magi, St. Joseph whispered a few words and each one of them went away crestfallen. The narrator told the congregation that St. Joseph said, "You have not brought Baby Jesus." Then, she stopped there. St. Joseph stood there motionless. There was silence (reflection?) for more than 10 seconds.
The plot was very simple. St. Joseph guarded the entrance to the Land of Happiness. People who wanted to live in this piece of Land had to bring a gift to prove that they were peaceful people. Then came three modern magi. The first one brought gold. He explained that he would buy anything, even love, with his gold. The second one brought knowledge. With knowledge, he would be able to solve all problems on earth. The last one brought Uranium! He would blow up anybody who threatened peace! Of course they were rejected by St. Joseph when they came to the entrance. In the ear of each magi, St. Joseph whispered a few words and each one of them went away crestfallen. The narrator told the congregation that St. Joseph said, "You have not brought Baby Jesus." Then, she stopped there. St. Joseph stood there motionless. There was silence (reflection?) for more than 10 seconds.
The drama was based on the famous line from Isaiah which Handel also wrote one of the most famous chorus in his Oratorio, Messiah.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
The Baby Jesus was the Prince of Peace. The three modern magi failed to become an instrument of peace themselves. Therefore, they were denied entrance into the Land of Happiness.
Then, Fr. Martin shared an experience he had while he was still working in a hotel. An employee, Mr. A, had won the Most Hospitable Employee Award. In the prize giving ceremony, Mr. A shared with the audience what he had learned from Mr. B, a winner of this award many years ago. Once Mr. B served an Arabian customer very well. This client generously gave Mr. B a Rolex wristwatch. Hoping to get the same generosity, Mr. A worked very dedicatedly in his work. Though he had no luck to receive a Rolex wristwatch, he found other satisfactions in his work. His customers were more cooperative when Mr. A served them. In return, Mr. A could feel the warmth displayed by his customers.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
The Baby Jesus was the Prince of Peace. The three modern magi failed to become an instrument of peace themselves. Therefore, they were denied entrance into the Land of Happiness.
Then, Fr. Martin shared an experience he had while he was still working in a hotel. An employee, Mr. A, had won the Most Hospitable Employee Award. In the prize giving ceremony, Mr. A shared with the audience what he had learned from Mr. B, a winner of this award many years ago. Once Mr. B served an Arabian customer very well. This client generously gave Mr. B a Rolex wristwatch. Hoping to get the same generosity, Mr. A worked very dedicatedly in his work. Though he had no luck to receive a Rolex wristwatch, he found other satisfactions in his work. His customers were more cooperative when Mr. A served them. In return, Mr. A could feel the warmth displayed by his customers.
Fr. Martin encouraged us to be the first one to take the first step to extend a friendly hand to the others. Jesus was God. He has taken the first step to lower himself, to be born of a woman in order to save us. Peace has become a possibility on earth. So, let us contemplate the mystery of incarnation. Let us follow the humble example of the BVM. Let us not insist on our superiority or our being right. When everybody does this, the world will become peaceful.
Dear Lord, I pray that in the year ahead, Brien and I may attain greater heights to reach You. Amen.
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