The Christmas that Was

The Christmas That Was

It was another Christmas season, December of
1991.

The whole city of Manila was again dressed
magnificently with beautiful colors everywhere. At
night, the scene of the dashing sparkling lights that
decorated business establishments added to the fancy
and great feelings the Yuletide season bring.

Christmas was here at last!!!

During this particular year, I didn't expect a
great christmas after all. Since I was just recovering
from the hard blows of life, a series of broken hearts
and broken dreams.1991 is one of the most tempestous
years of my life. This is the year when I fought my
toughest struggles in life alone . So what could be
something special about this christmas? Besides, I had
only very little money to enjoy the best of the
holidays. I did not even have a little hint that this
will be my most unforgetable Christmas.

Just about two weeks before Christmas, I was
invited by a certain lovely lady to have a study of
the Word with her. There was something irresistible
in her invitation that I easily gave in. Then began my
most memorable nights at Greenbelt Park. I didn't even
have a little hint that these sessions with her would
bring me into a face to face encounter with GOD.

It was indeed a "face to face" encounter with GOD.
It was a appointed time I should never miss. There was
no way to escape. The Word of GOD became so alive and
real to me during those nights that it pierced deeply
through the darkness of my heart. For the first time
in my life after professing to be a christian for
about seven years I saw myself as a terrible
sinner.Before I used to admit that I was a sinner, but
during those nights I saw myself differently. My eyes
were completely opened and it seemed salves had
fallen. I saw myself as a wretched, filthy rag,
worthless, hopeless if God will not pour out His mercy
and grace.

And then I could not help but cry in deep tears.
There was no room in me for me, for self. I knew I was
unclean,abased, ashamed, in need of a bath. This
realization led me to confession, then repentance,
then restitution. I dedicated my life to the Lord and
gave my heart utterly to Him.