Nine Words for Christmas: R
07 Dec 2023
Nine Words for Christmas: R
Oxford University Press recently chose ‘rizz’ as word of the year for 2023. Merriam Webster also announced it as one of their words for this year after they included it in their dictionary last September. ‘Rizz’ seems to stem from ‘charisma’ and pertains to a certain charm or attractiveness. While mostly used in romantic contexts, the recognition of such a word can reflect many people’s attention to the reason or act of being drawn to someone.
As we approach Christmas, it may be good to ask ourselves: are we still drawn to that baby in the manger? Do we still find that story of the Father sending us His son attractive and important? Nowadays, what is the charm of this season for us? For sure, the simplicity of Jesus’ birth which did not come with fancy announcements or flashy trimmings can be easy to ignore. But its lack of the usual characteristics of what can rizz us up or attract us should never be the main consideration. For this is what truly matters: the Savior comes to us for no other reason except that we are loved.
Given that there can be many motivations to feel joyful and celebratory during this time, may we always hold on to what’s most essential. We have been given value. We are considered worthy. We will always be held in the highest esteem. The Messiah coming into our world has shown that. And despite not having bombastic rizz, he is someone we can allow ourselves to be drawn to for he draws us to him with no other reason or means but his love.
Siyam na Salita sa Christmas: R
Pinili kailan lang ng Oxford University Press ang ‘rizz’ bilang salita ng taong 2023. Inihayag din ng Merriam Webster na isa ito sa kanilang mga salita ng taon matapos na isinama ito sa kanilang diksyunaryo noong Setyembre. Tila nagmumula ang ‘rizz’ sa ‘charisma’ at tumutukoy sa isang katangiang nakapanghahalina at nakaaakit. Samantalang kadalasan itong ginagamit sa kontekstong romantiko, ang pagkilala sa ganitong salita ay sumasalamin sa pansing iginagawad ng marami sa dahilan o akto ng pagkabighani sa isang tao.
Sa paglapit natin sa Pasko, maaaring makabubuting itanong: nabibighani pa ba tayo sa sanggol sa sabsaban? Kaakit-akit at mahalaga pa ba sa atin ang salaysay ng pagpapadala ng Ama sa Kanyang anak sa piling natin? Ngayong mga araw, ano ang nakahahalina sa atin sa panahong ito? Tiyak na ang payak na kapanganakan ni Hesus na walang kaakibat na tawag-pansing paglalahad o matitingkad na palamuti ay madaling bale-walain. Subalit hindi ang kakulangan nito ng mga katangiang madalas na nakaaakit sa atin ang dapat na isaalang-alang. Sapagkat ito ang tunay na dapat manguna sa ating kamalayan: dumating sa atin ang Tagapagligtas sa natatanging kadahilanang iniibig tayo.
Bagaman maraming makapag-uudyok ng pagsasaya at pagdiriwang sa panahong ito, nawa kumapit tayo roon sa pinaka-makabuluhan. Binigyang-halaga tayo. Tinuturing tayong karapat-dapat. Lagi at lagi tayong pagpipitagan. Ipinakita ito ng pagdating ng Mesiyas sa ating mundo. At sa kabila ng hindi pagtataglay ng nakasisilaw na pang-akit, maaari nating pahintulutan ang sarili na mapalapit sa kanya sapagkat ang dahilan at paraan niya ng pakiki-ugnay ay walang iba kung hindi pagmamahal.
#aihninewordsforchristmas #ateneoishome
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