2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone on this planet.
Our beloved Philippines, a developing nation had its fair share,
We began the year with a volcano eruption,
then Covid-19 came and we had to close everything down,
yes, even the schools. Which made learning very difficult
for most of you and which left parents like me dealing with more things
at home. Then when we thought things couldn’t get any worse several storms
including a triple typhoon left homes deep in mud and water.
Our unemployment rate is at an all time high.

We have so many reasons not feel joy during this season. But we are Pinoys.
Despite all the things that happened, we still find a reason to smile, to find joy.
To spend time with one another, to encourage one another. To press on.
How do you break a Filipino spirit that just wouldn’t break? If there is one community
that I would rely on in a thousand pandemics, that would be the Filipinos.

My prayer as a dad, as a husband of April, a parent of Gabe and Bella, as your brother in this community
is for you who is undergoing something to find that strength,
that extra push to just move forward. To smile. To find joy in your heart.
And see that the future can only be better.
Take care and stay safe. Merry Christmas.
With God’s infinite grace, all glory and praise to Him who loved us first.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.