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We are the only country that celebrates Christmas the longest, regardless of the economy. We give the Season much weight. Whereas, traditionally, the English greeting was “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”—with emphasis on the festive mood of the moment. Modern times have found it safer (or politically correct) to simply say, “Happy Holidays.” Not so with the Filipinos. We say, “Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon.” In essence, we know the importance of Christmas—there is a reason for the Season and that Jesus has the transforming effect on people; thus, we entreat everyone not just to be merry for the Christmas but also to have the best of what the New Year may bring.

God’s love is unquestionable. And all His creation is magnificent. On the 1^st day, God said, “Let there be light,”. . . And God saw that the light was good.¹ The 2^nd day, God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place . . .” And God saw that it was good.²  The 3^rd day, God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees . . .” And God saw that it was good.³ The 4^th day, God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens, to separate the day from the night. . . . And God saw that it was good.⁴ The 5^th day, God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” . . . “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” . . . Twice, God saw that it was good.⁵

The sixth day was queerly different! God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. . . .” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.⁶ Strangely, unlike previous days, he held back his appreciation and kept quiet. In his foreknowledge, God knew that man whom he created in his image and likeness would be easily enticed by what they see.⁷ The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. And he would have to destroy it.⁸ God knew that their unity would be used wrongly for their own selfish intent.⁹ God knew that a degenerate people cannot contrive faith and would continue in disbelief despite signs and wonders.¹⁰ God knew that the people whom he chose would rather have their own god and insist on their own king.¹¹ God knew how his people would go through a downward cycle of apostasy.¹²

God knew what it would cost him to create man. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.¹³ Jesus emptied himself, by taking the form of servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. Therefore God has exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . .¹⁴

Only then, God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning the sixth day.¹⁵ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the 7^th day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested . . .¹⁶ After this, Jesus knowing that all was now finished, . . . he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.¹⁷