Filipinos today value money and the good things in life than the birth of Jesus Christ, outgoing Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said in his Simbang Gabi homily.
“Are there others excited for Jesus this Christmas? It seems not to be the case. What they are excited about is the bonus. Even if there’s no Jesus as long as there’s bonus,” Tagle said.
He added: “They know where to shop sales, but the Gospel seems to be not important. And when some people did not receive gifts, they would go for money instead.”
The tradition of having a home nativity scene has also been fading as well in Filipino families according to the Church leader.
Tagle urged the faithful not to lose the real essence of the season: Jesus Christ.
“We should set our sights on Jesus and not get pre-occupied with the gifts that we intend to buy. We are slowly losing the tradition of home nativity scenes. Instead of the belen, we just place gifts beneath the Christmas trees,” he said.
