Today is Christmas Eve. This is the feast that I like to celebrate best. It reminds me of the many happy days not only of my childhood but also of history. Whether Christ was born or not exactly on this day, I don’t know; but chronological accuracy has nothing to do with tonight’s event. A grand genius had been born who preached truth and love; who suffered because of his mission, but on account of his sufferings, the world has become better, if not saved. Only it gives me nausea to see how some persons abuse his name to commit numerous crimes. If he is in heaven, he will certainly protest! Consequently, Merry Christmas! Let us celebrate the anniversary of a divine man!
— Jose Rizal
25 December 1888
original text in german, from a letter to blumentritt
with thanks to floro quibuyen who tagged me on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/floro.quibuyen/posts/1216222745124504?pnref=story
hi Angie, extend my season’sgreetings of Christmas joy and festivty on Christ birth to you and the Stuart Santiago family. Rizal letter re: Christ dual nature as man and God confirms the absolute truth of God’s intervention on theological history of human struggle to reconcile with our creator. Despite the existence of anti-Christ advocates which ignore His divinity, Rizal’s view is a refreshing n inspiring guidance to have faith in the divine revealation revorded in the Holy Bible.