Skip to main content

Main Secondary Navigation

  • About Ateneo de Manila
  • Schools
  • Research
  • Global
  • Alumni
  • News
  • Events

Main navigation

  • Learn & Grow
  • Discover & Create
  • Make an Impact
  • Campus & Community
  • Apply
  • Home >
  • News >
  • Nine Questions for Christmas – Fourth One

Nine Questions for Christmas – Fourth One

16 Dec 2024

Nine Questions for Christmas – Fourth One

 

In many inspiring stories, we hear how people push beyond their limits, overcome the boundaries of what is to explore what can be, and pursue or fight for something greater. And in most of these narratives, the journey begins with this question:
 
Is it possible that something better is in store?
 
While there would always be gifts in the here and now, we should also be aware of how free we are to wonder and wander. For when we are imprisoned in the present, when we are beholden to what is just there, when our sight does not go farther and wider than what we have known, we can never go to nor even think of other possibilities. And perhaps that’s why there would also be stories of slavery – literal and figurative, unhealthy attachments and addictions, or repeating mistakes and spiraling bad choices. 
 
Who could have predicted that the Savior Himself would come into our midst? Who would have known that when the Lord said He would never forsake us it would mean being one with us? Who could have foreseen that His love would push beyond the boundaries of this world, overcome the limits of our sin, fight for us in such a distinctly
profound fashion? Thank God that He’s a God who went beyond what we could have planned or chosen for ourself, to free us and show us a possibility we could never have imagined. And that is what Christmas is about: the invitation to better. Because a world with the Messiah, while unfathomable before it happened, truly bears more light and life than if we were just left to what was already in existence. These days, may we choose to recognize and be with Him who has greater plans for what can be.

 

Sa maraming salaysay na nakapagbibigay ng inspirasyon, naririnig natin kung paano nilalampasan ang mga umiiral na hangganan, tinatawid ang mga balakid ng kasalukuyan upang galugarin ang maaari pa, at tinutungo o ipinaglalaban ang mas dakila. At kadalasan, nagsisimula ang mga ganitong kuwento sa tanong na ito:
 
Maaari kayang may mas mabuti pa?
 
Bagaman laging may mga biyaya ang ngayon at narito, kailangan lamang din nating maging malay kung gaano tayo kalaya na mamangha at tumuklas pa. Sapagkat kapag nakukulong tayo sa kasalukuyan, kapag nakatali tayo sa kung ano lang ang mayroon na, kapag hindi lumalampas ang ating paningin sa mga nakasanayan, malamang hindi na tayo tumungo o mag-isip man lang ng iba pa. At marahil kaya nga may mga salaysay rin ng pagka-alipin – literal man o hindi, mga di-mabuting pagkapit at pagsasanay, o mga paulit-ulit na pagkakamali at paikut-ikot na masamang pagpili.
 
Sino ba ang nakahula na ang mismong Tagapagligtas ang darating dito sa ating piling? Sino ba ang nakabatid na noong winika ng Panginoon na hindi Niya tayo kailanman tatalikuran ay mangangahulugan itong magiging kaisa natin Siya? Sino ba ang nakaaninag na itutulak ng Kanyang pag-ibig ang hangganan nitong mundo, na lalampasan Niya ang mga balakid ng ating pagkakasala, na ipaglalaban Niya tayo sa isang ubod nang dakila at kakaibang paraan? Salamat sa Diyos at Siya ay Diyos na humigit pa sa kung anumang binalak o pinili natin para sa ating sarili, upang palayain tayo at ipakita sa atin ang posibilidad na hindi man lang sumagi sa ating hiraya. At ito nga ang diwa ng Pasko: ang pagkakataon ng mas mabuti. Sapagkat ang mundo kalakbay ang Mesiyas, bagaman hindi man lang nawari bago ito nangyari, ay tunay na nagtataglay ng higit na liwanag at buhay kaysa sa kung naiwan tayo sa kung anong umiiral na. Ngayong mga araw, nawa piliin nating kilalanin at makasama Siya na may higit na mabuting mga inilalaan para sa atin.

Can we allow ourself to hope and dream?
Have we experienced what being cherished means?

Racing through life, can there still be more?
Is it possible that something better is in store?

#aihninequestionsforchristmas #ateneoishome

General Interest Mission & Formation Administration Cluster
Share:

Recent News

Bending toward justice: A forum on the ICC, the Duterte Case, and victim participation

31 Mar 2026

[Hot Off the Press] Arkipelago

31 Mar 2026

Matthew General clinches gold at Excalibur Fencing Tournament

31 Mar 2026

Silver success for Belarmino at Wilson Epee Invitational

31 Mar 2026

From AGS to ASHS: Ateneo fencers haul 6 medals at 1st Estudio de Espada League

31 Mar 2026

Ethan Santos grabs bronze at Hampton Fencing Club’s 3rd Winter Cup

31 Mar 2026

Blue Eagle blades Santos and General grab gold in Young Musketeers meet

31 Mar 2026

Matthew General secures gold at Coach Benny Fencing Competition

31 Mar 2026

Bending Toward Justice: ALS Forum Examines the ICC, the Duterte Case, and Victim Participation

31 Mar 2026

Protecting Creativity: AIPO and Rizal Library Host Copyright Awareness Session for the Ateneo Community

31 Mar 2026

You may also like these articles

Arkipelago

31 Mar 2026

[Hot Off the Press] Arkipelago

New book from the Ateneo Press Arkipelago provides a fascinating and fantastical twist on Philippine politics and history Our country is an archipelago of stories

Copyright Awareness Session

31 Mar 2026

Protecting Creativity: AIPO and Rizal Library Host Copyright Awareness Session for the Ateneo Community

On March 18, 2026, the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO), in collaboration with the Rizal Library, successfully conducted a Copyright Awareness Session held on the

Close up of University seal and logo at Xavier Hall

31 Mar 2026

Holy Week 2026 Holidays (Memo # UHR2526-038)

Memo # UHR2526-038 31 March 2026 TO: All Employees FROM: [Sgd] Maria Victoria T Cortez, PhD Vice President for University Human Resources SUBJECT: Holy Week

ASOG’s Tobacco Control initiatives spotlighted in DOH National Technical Working Group for Tobacco Prevention and Control

31 Mar 2026

ASOG’s Tobacco Control initiatives spotlighted in DOH National Technical Working Group for Tobacco Prevention and Control

On March 10 to 12, 2026, the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), through its research and public policy unit, the Ateneo Policy Center, participated in

Geloy Concepcion Exhibition 2026

30 Mar 2026

Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did: Geloy Concepcion’s six-year project makes Its exhibition debut at the Ateneo Art Gallery

Geloy Concepcion’s Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did comes to the Ateneo Art Gallery this 18 April 2026. After receiving almost 300,000 messages

Love If I'm Pretty

30 Mar 2026

[Hot Off the Press] Love If I'm Pretty

New YA Release from the Ateneo Press Love If I’m Pretty tackles the nuances of growing up through complex characters and straightforward prose What do

Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108, Philippines

info@ateneo.edu

+63 2 8426 6001

Connect With Us
  • Contact Ateneo
  • A to Z Directory
  • Social Media
Information for
  • Current Students
  • Prospective Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Researchers & Visiting Academics
  • Parents
  • Donors & Partners
  • Visitors & Media
  • Careers
Security & Emergency
  • COVID-19
  • Campus Safety
  • Network & Tech
  • Emergency Management
  • Disaster Preparedness
Digital Resources
  • AteneoBlueCloud
  • Archium
  • Rizal Library
  • Ateneo Mail (Staff)
  • Ateneo Student Email
  • Alumni Mail
  • Branding & Trademarks
  • Data Privacy
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • Report Website Issues
  • Ateneo Network
  • Philippine Jesuits

Copyright © 2022 Ateneo de Manila University. All rights reserved. | info@ateneo.edu | +63 2 8426 6001

Search