PASKO: Panahon ng Pagbabalik-Loob, Hindi Lang Handaan, Kundi Paghahanda ng Puso

Photo by Richard Bell on Unsplash

December 20th,2025 Simbang Gabi was extra special for me and my wife. As the date is also our 3 years and 11 months as a married couple.

My wife, Marielle, was asked to give the exhortation. Something she honestly did not expect. She is someone who worships more through singing than speaking. Even in Bible studies or prayer meetings, she usually stays quiet. Music has always been her expression of faith.

Afterward, she shared that she felt she missed some things. There were parts she wished she had explained more clearly. But despite that, the Lord still moved. His Word was spoken. Hearts were stirred.

So for those who were there, and for those who were not, here is the exhortation once again, not as a summary, but as it was prepared and shared.

PASKO: PANAHON NG PAGBABALIK-LOOB

Hindi lang handaan, kundi paghahanda ng puso
(Matthew 3:2)

When we hear the word Pasko, many things come to mind. Family gatherings. Food. Traditions. Memories from childhood. All of these are good, but Scripture reminds us that there is something deeper than remembrance.

Matthew 3:2 says,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Pasko is not just a historical event.
It is a spiritual invitation.

Punto 1: Ang Pagdating ni Cristo ay May Demand

(The Coming of Christ Has a Demand)

The message of John the Baptist was clear. The coming of Christ requires something from us, and that is repentance.

Repentance is not just feeling guilty. It is not just being emotional. Repentance is a complete turning of the whole person, mind, heart, mouth, and life.

Here is what true repentance looks like.

First, recognizing sin, the mind.
We acknowledge that what we did was wrong. We stop justifying. We stop making excuses. We agree with God that sin is sin.

Second, humbling yourself, the heart.
This is heart preparation. We acknowledge in our hearts that He is Lord, that we are unrighteous on our own, and that we need His mercy. This is where pride dies and surrender begins.

Third, confessing with the mouth.
Repentance is not silent. We confess before God. We say sorry, not just in our hearts but with our words. We declare that Jesus is Lord, that He died on the cross, that He rose from the dead, and that He is coming back again.

Lastly, turning away from sin through full obedience.
Repentance is not simply stopping old habits. It is starting a new life of obedience. It is choosing to live according to God’s will daily.

When these four are present, repentance is complete.

This is the demand of Christ. Not perfection, but surrender.

Punto 2: Ang Pasko ay Hindi Lang Paggunita, Kundi Paghahanda ng Puso

(Christmas Is Not Just Remembrance, but Heart Preparation)

God is not only interested in what we remember.
He is interested in the condition of our heart.

The call to “prepare the way of the Lord” is not about making something perfect. It is about making it ready.

Our heart is like a road.
Jesus is the King who walks on it.

Preparing the heart does not mean we have everything figured out. It means we are willing to let Him walk through it, stay in it, and return to it.

Jesus does not want to live only in our minds.
He wants to dwell in our hearts.

We already believe that the first promise was fulfilled. The Savior has come. But we also believe in the second promise. Jesus will come again, not as a baby, but as King and Judge.

The verse says the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
That means near.
That means now.

So more than remembering His birth, we prepare our hearts continually. A heart that is open. A heart that is willing. A heart that allows Jesus to walk with us, live with us, and transform us.

Punto 3: Ang Pagbabalik-Loob ay Para sa Lahat

(Repentance Is for Everyone)

Repentance is not only for unbelievers.

In Matthew 3, John confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees, religious people who thought they were already right with God. This reminds us that being inside the church does not exempt us from repentance.

Repentance is a lifestyle.

It shows in consistency.
Consistent reading of the Word.
Consistent prayer.
Consistent worship.
Consistent obedience.

Not one without the others.
All together.

This pattern is seen throughout Scripture.

Punto 4: Kapag May Pagbabalik-Loob, May Tunay na Pag-asa

(Where There Is Repentance, There Is Real Hope)

Repentance is not punishment.
It is grace.

When we repent, Jesus comes in.
The Holy Spirit dwells in us.
And transformation begins from the inside out.

This is where the result of repentance becomes clear. Using the acronym REPENT, we see what God does in a surrendered heart.

R – Restore
God restores what was broken.

E – Empowered by the Holy Spirit
We are no longer living in our own strength.

P – Peace
Not circumstantial peace, but peace that guards the heart.

E – Eternal Perspective
Our focus shifts from temporary things to eternal things.

N – New Beginning
The past no longer defines us.

T – Transform
God changes us completely, inside and out.

Closing Encouragement

Our heart is like a house.

Many of us are willing to open the door to God. But repentance is more than opening the door. It is surrendering the key.

When we give God the key, we allow Him to enter every room. Not just the living room, but the hidden rooms. Not just to visit, but to stay. Not just to clean, but to renovate.

He changes everything, inside and out.

This is what Pasko truly means.

Not just celebration.
Not just remembrance.
But a heart surrendered to the King.

And when there is repentance,
there is hope.

Be Blessed and Share the Message

If this message touched your heart, feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today.

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Continue being blessed by reading more of my blogs below.

Why Many Christians Struggle With Sharing the Gospel and How to Start Again

An Urgent Call: Repent and Turn Back to God


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All glory to God.

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