A Notice

There was a time when a child was born. The world was too busy to notice, the people didn’t mind. His parents found a stable, and there he lay, welcomed by shepherds and wise men. The hosts of heaven watched and seemed to wonder why the prince of heaven would do such a thing, why the world would miss such a thing, and why God would allow such a thing. And so, the virgin and her husband, the shepherds and the wise men praised the God of heaven, for bringing into the world the Savior, the promised Messiah. The angels sang with them, all of heavens sang with them, all of creation sang with them, all except man.

There is this time when we remember the child who was born. We celebrate his day with exchange gift activities and noche buena; with thought of salary bonuses; of things to give and things to receive. We utter a short prayer and rush to the mall where it’s business as usual, do a long shopping during a time when discounts are high, and prices are low; in a place where everyone is so busy acquiring things and buying things; with the help of attendants who were not allowed to take a leave because it’s business as usual; and we rush back home mindful that, for crooks, it’s high time, and also business as usual. Everyone is excited, everyone seems to be, so excited about what's in store for you and me. And all the hosts of heaven watched and wondered, why the world, just as before, failed to notice the main thing; why man is always thinking, even during such a time, of the lesser things. Because now we have reindeer, and snowmen, and a fat guy on a red suit, who knows what more may come; there is just so much out there, it’s become hard to notice what’s to notice. And so this very lovely day, these have become to many the X-mas way. With little thought about the reason for the season, we utter to him joyful songs and declare our praise; but the angels in our singing will not join, and all of heavens and all of creation in our invitation of praising him shall decline.