A Humble Heart

“But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: ​the remnant of Israel.” Zephaniah 3:12

Before Christmas, we are often preoccupied with searching for the perfect Christmas gifts for our loved ones. We decorate our homes with wreaths of evergreens over the mantle, the curtains, the banisters. We have a tree laden with balls and ornaments. And on Christmas Eve, we have the table burdened for the “noche buena”, Spanish for night of goodness. Housewives and helpers, sometimes the whole family come together to prepare the cocido, fruit salad, paella, bibingka, puto bumbong, leche flan, etc. 

But have we thought about the best gift for the birthday celebrant? The best preparation to receive Him? Jesus is the reason why we celebrate Christmas, and Advent is supposed to be the time we prepare for Him. What does He want? He wants our humble hearts, seeking to do His will. He wants the absolute best for us, and for that we need to trust and obey Him. Everything that happens to us is not an accident. God is molding us and making our heart, our spirit, our character, which is what we will bring with us to heaven. The best birthday gift is ourselves, humbly loving our God who loves us enough to give us the gift of Himself.