December 16, 2018 ~ St. Peregrine Laziosi Diocesan Shrine/ Jasper Christian Gambito. With the current trends in our society, it is of no wonder that some of our brethren feel hopeless, as if they were being succumbed into a dark abyss. Negativities are teeming around us, thus there are times when we are longing for something which would save us from despair. However, the lesson being taught to us by the dawn masses also being colloquially referred to as Simbang Gabi is to be hopeful for the coming of the Light which will enlighten our gloomy and rather dark paths. True to this message, the present motif of the altar of St. Peregrine Laziosi Parish emphasizes bright lights as these represent the light being brought to mankind by the coming of Jesus Christ. As being mentioned in Isaiah 60:2-3, “… darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”  The colorfully lit altar design reminds us to be happy and hopeful to Christ’s coming as He is the brightest light who will extinguish all the darkness being brought by our daily experiences, disappointments, hopelessness, and despair. As we await for the celebration of our Lord’s birth, we are being challenged to allow the radiance of his Light to enter our hearts, our minds, our families, and our households. Let us allow the Light not only to enter, but to also permeate and dwell in us so that we too could become light to our brethren who were experiencing darkness and hardships. As Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  If we allow Jesus to dwell in us, we have the light of life.