The Biblical Magi (Wise Men from the East)

 

 

                                                      

In the New Testament is an account of “wise men” who visited the infant Jesus. They came from the east and travelled far distances to pay homage to Him. Early Christian scholars described them as kings, but the book of Matthew in the New Testament never implied that they were rulers of any kind. They were called as “wise men from the east.” They are also called magi. The Bible did not give the exact number of how many of them were. Western Christians gave their number as three to match with the number of gifts that were given to the infant Jesus while Syriac Christians put the number at twelve.

Magi were priestly advisers to kings who were also astrologers or the people who studied and observed stars and their movements and interpreted their meanings. They were also associated with predictions and occults. The English word magic is derived from the word magi.

The magi were identified as Gaspar or Caspar who came from India, Melchoir from Persia, and Balthazar from Arabia. These magi were also probably adherents of pre-Christians religions that were practiced in the ancient Middle East region such as Zoroastrianism and paganism, and they might also have knowledge of Jewish Biblical prophecies. Their sight of a particular star that they considered as a sign of the birth of a new king was a call for them to pay him homage.

They went off for the journey and came over to King Herod in Jerusalem to ask him where the newborn king was. King Herod became troubled in the thought that the infant they were looking for may one day replace him as king.  He then summoned the chief priests and scribes of the people to ask them the whereabout of the Christ. They then answered him in Bethlehem of Judea as foretold by the prophets. Herod relayed to the magi that information and added that after their visit they should return to him to know his location and to honor him. The magi then followed the star of the infant that they also saw in the east. The star which is called the star of Bethlehem stopped right there in the house where the infant Jesus was. There, they met Mary, the mother of Jesus. They bowed down to the infant Jesus and worshipped Him. They then opened their treasure chests and presented to him the gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After the homage, the magi returned to their places taking a different route thereby defying the order of King Herod because they were warned by God in a dream that the king had a sinister plot to the infant.

When Herod knew that he was tricked by the magi, he became furious and ordered that all children in Bethlehem with age two and under should be killed.

In the Christian tradition the date of visit by the magi to the infant Jesus is named as Feast of Epiphany. It is twelve days after Christmas and falls in January 6. It is also called Three Kings’ Day. Orthodox Christianity celebrates the feast in January 19.

The symbolism of the Magi’s gifts is gold- the kingship of Jesus to the Jews, frankincense- the divinity of Jesus as a Son of God, and myrrh- the human side of Jesus that he is also mortal like all humans.  

 

Pasko de Oro at Gaston Park

   

                                                  

The local government of Cagayan de Oro under Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy marked its Christmas celebration with the launching of Pasko de Oro in the evening of December 9, 2025. A formal ceremony with a program started the occasion near the city hall. The ceremony culminated with firework displays which delighted thousands of spectators. Simultaneously, Christmas lights were lit on trees and in the fountain at Gaston Park. The fountain stood out as the main attraction after the fireworks. The main fountain and smaller fountains in the pool shoot water that was illuminated with colored lights. The trees in the park become natural Christmas trees with colored lights. At the backdrop is the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral whose front is also adorned with lights. The atmosphere around the place signifies that Christmas spirit is in the air for people who were there during the event.

The French Revolution and the Reign of Terror

   

                   

The success of the revolution made it a necessity to purge citizens suspected to undermine its gains. The abolition of the monarchy paved the way for the establishment of the First Republic of France, and a constitutional convention was called. The unfolding of events brought the Girondists to prominence in the revolution’s political landscape. The convention dismantled the former governing council and replaced it with a new provisional council. France’s war with neighboring countries and opposition at home necessitated drastic measures to protect the gains of the revolution. 

The convention established the Committee of Public Safety on April 6, 1793, as the executive organ of the republic and reorganized the Committee of General Security and the Revolutionary Tribunals. 

Military reversals, mounting civil war, and the advance of the enemy forces towards the French frontiers eroded the Girondists’ influence in the convention. It also caused a rift between the Girondists and the Montagnards, which were the most radical group in the convention. On June 2, 1793, radical journalist Jacques Rene Hebert ordered the arrest of 29 Girondist delegates and ministers. This action helped enhance the radicals’ hold in the convention.                                                                                    

A new constitution was promulgated on June 24, 1793, but it was never put into effect. Leadership of the Committee on Public Safety passed on July 10, 1793, to the Jacobins a political group under the Montagnards. On July 13, radical politician Paul Marat who was identified with the Jacobins was assassinated by a Girondist sympathizer which caused public indignation. This incident coupled with public support for the Jacobins put them in a dominant position in the convention.

Maximillien Robespierre

On July 10, 1793, the leadership of the Committee of Public Safety was passed on to the Jacobins who completely reorganized it. On July 27, 1793, Maximillien Robespierre was added to the committee and soon became its dominant member. The power of the committee was renewed monthly by the national convention from April 1793 to July 1794.

To cope with setbacks of the French forces in neighboring countries and reactionary elements at home, the convention called for 14 new armies numbering about 750,000 men who were speedily organized, equipped, and sent to the fronts. 

Dealing with the opposition at home, the Jacobin dominated convention had Queen Marie Antoinette guillotined on October 16, 1793. Suspected Girondists, royalists, priests and other opposition groups were charged before the revolutionary tribunals, convicted and sent to the guillotine. A vast number of victims were peasants and workers charged with desertion, draft dodging, and other war crimes.

The execution of Queen Marie Antoinette

As the most prominent and influential member of the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre envisioned France as a “republic of virtue” possessing the attributes of humanitarianism, social idealism, and patriotism.   

The Jacobin dominated convention replaced the Julian calendar with a republican calendar. In November 1793, the commune of Paris closed all churches in the city and began to actively sponsor the revolutionary religion known as the Cult of Reason. This action brought about a rift between the groups within the Jacobins. One group was led by Robespierre and the other by Hebert, which was the most radical in the convention. The factional in-fighting was settled with the execution of Hebert and his associates on March 24, 1793. 

Robespierre also went after groups who demanded peace and an end to his terroristic measures. His passion to defend the revolution against its real or perceived enemies and the reactionaries led to purges and reprisals that led to the executions and deaths of people. The victims of his actions included not only the Girondists but also the Jacobins. His excesses made some members of the convention fear for their own lives. Robespierre was gradually losing popular support.

Military victories at Fleurs, Belgium on June 26, 1794, were encouraging indication of further successful advance across Europe. There was optimism in France for eventual triumph, and there was widespread perception that Robespierre’s extreme measures to protect the revolution were no longer necessary. In a bid to eliminate Robespierre, some members of the convention hatched a conspiracy against him. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre and some of his allies were seized, and on the next day they were beheaded.

When Robespierre was gone the National Convention was dominated by a group called the Thermidoreans. Their initial actions included the abolition of the revolutionary tribunal and the extreme decrees. And the Girondists and other expelled rightists were restored to the convention. 

The period from April 1793 to July 1794 is known in history as the Reign of Terror. All over France the revolutionary tribunals and commissions were responsible for the execution of 17,000 individuals. Overall, the estimated number of deaths to include those who died in prison, and those who were summarily executed by the revolutionary forces totaled 40,000 individuals. The death of Maximillien Robespierre ended the Reign of Terror.

Related article:

The French Revolution and the End of French Monarchy http://lapasan-myblognoel145.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-french-revolution-and-end-of-french.html

The Legacies of the French Revolution to Our Democratic Principles https://lapasan-myblognoel145.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-legacies-of-french-revolution-to.html

 

Enchanting Tunnel of Memories in Lim Ket Kai

                                            

Lim Ket Kai Center of Cagayan de Oro has come up with a spectacle to give its shoppers a joyful spirit of Christmas inside the mall. Welcoming the shoppers to the rotunda event venue is the “Enchanting Tunnel of Memories” which they can enjoy for free. The main attraction is the semi-circular tunnel. In front of its entrance or exit are decorations of Christmas trees and Christmas lights. Added to the display are replicas of white bears, penguins and lions. The tunnel can be accessed on either of the two entrances. Inside are Christmas lights and photos of the old Lim Ket Kai stores that are hung on the wall.

The French Revolution and the End of the French Monarchy

 

In the late 18^th century, the loans provided by France to the US colonies during the American Revolution and the excessive cost of the privilege given to the noble and clergies and corruption caused the country financial difficulties and heavy indebtedness. The burden of taxation which was passed mostly to the lower class worsened the poverty of the people and fueled more discontent and hatred towards the government. The ideas of the Age of Enlightenment and the example of the American Revolution made the people especially the peasantry receptive to radical ideas to change the status quo and improve their living condition.

To deal with the social and economic problems, King Louis XVI appointed Robert Jacques Turgot as comptroller general who then instituted strict economy in government expenditures. The latter’s action did not find favor to Queen Marie Antoinette and the nobility. Using their influence, they made the king removed him from office.

The move by the king only exacerbated the problem so that he appointed another comptroller general who was Jacques Necker who also followed the policies of his predecessor. Both the king and Necker agreed that the Estates-General, which was in adjournment for a long time had to be convoked to address the mounting unrest and discontent of the people. The Estates-General was composed of three estates. The first estate was the clergy, the second estate was the nobility, and the third estate was the commoners. Necker convinced the king that the third estate would have the same number of representatives as that of the first estate and the second estate combined. 

On May 5, 1789, the Estates-General convened. The third estate, the majority caucus, wanted individual voting and majority rule in the proceedings. The proposal was opposed by the first and second estates. And as a result, there was a deadlock. 

In defiance, the third estate, the insurgent caucus, proclaimed itself as the National Assembly and made resolution vesting itself with the sole power to legislate taxation. The king responded by denying the National Assembly the use of its session hall. Upon the instigation of the Comte d’ Artois and queen Marie Antoinette, Jacques Necker was removed from his position. The king also issued orders for the concentration of several loyal foreign regiments in Paris and Versailles. 

Open insurrections and rioting in Paris followed because of the king’s actions. Rebellious acts by the people also took place all over France. On July 14, 1789, the insurrectionists stormed and captured the Bastille, a prison that symbolized the despotism of the royalty. In panic, the prominent reactionaries as well as the comte d’ artois fled from the country.

The Paris bourgeoisie afraid that the lower classes would take advantage of the situation hastily established a provisional local government and organized a people militia that would be designated as the National Guard throughout France. It was placed under the command of Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution.

The king accepted the measures taken by the provisional authorities, and reinstated Necker. On June 27, 1789, the king, in a move to restore harmony, ordered the refractory clergy and the nobility to join the unicameral assembly which later called itself the Constituent National Assembly. 

On August 4, 1789, the clergy and the nobility renounced their privileges during the night session of the Constituent National Assembly. These were the abolition of feudal and manorial prerogatives, the prohibition and sale of public office, the rights of the Catholic Church to levy taxes and exemption from taxation and other privileges...

While a new constitution was drafted by the Constituent National Assembly, there was a report that the royal family held a grand banquet at Versailles. This angered the hungry people of Paris. As a result, a large body of Parisians mostly women marched to the palace. King Louis and his family were rounded up but they were rescued by Lafayette, who, on demand of the crowd, escorted the royal family to Paris. 

The king approved the first draft of the constitution on July 14, 1790, with elaborate ceremonies in Paris. In its preamble was the Declaration of Rights of man and of the Citizen which included equality before the law, trial by jury and other democratic provisions. But by the institution of the property qualification of the vote, the constitution confined the electorates to the middle and upper classes. The constitution that was drafted was also set to limit and control the power of the king, to clip the power of the clergies and to divest them of their vast holdings. 

Despite acquiescence of the king to give in to the desire of the people, there were suspicions that he and his wife were in constant secret communications with the other monarchies of Europe to undermine the revolutionary government. And another reason for the suspicion was that Queen Marie Antoinette was a sister of King Leopold II, the Holy Roman Emperor. The people’s suspicion was confirmed when King Louis XVI and his wife were caught on June 21, 1791, at Varennes while trying to escape to another country. 

On July 17, 1791, the republicans in Paris took to the street and demanded that the king be deposed. But on order of Marquis de Lafayette, the National Guards opened fire and dispersed the crowd. The bloodshed further widened the divide between the royalists and the radicals. 

After suspending the king for a brief period, the Constituent National Assembly re-instated him to his office. He took the oath to support the revised constitution on September 14, 1791. Two weeks later with the election of new members of the Legislative Assembly authorized by the constitution, the Constituent National Assembly was dissolved. The Legislative Assembly began its session on October 1, 1791, with 750 members. They were grouped as the Feuillants who were royalists, the Plains who were the majority of the caucus but had no defined opinion or programs, and the Republicans who were for a representative government. The Republicans were grouped as Girondists and Montagnards. The Girondists espoused for federal republican government patterned after that of the United States. The Montagnards who were composed of the Jacobins and the Cordeliers espoused for a centralized and indivisible republic. The Montagnards were the most radical members of the Legislative Assembly.                                            

Meanwhile, King Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia issued a joint declaration against France which threatened an armed intervention against the revolutionary government.

Later, the Girondists gained power in the Legislative Assembly, and it adopted belligerent attitude toward Francis II, who succeeded his father Leopold II as the Holy Roman emperor and to Frederick William II.  On April 20, 1792, the Legislative Assembly declared war on the Austrian part of the Holy Roman Empire. That declaration started a series of conflict known as the French Revolutionary War.

The European monarchies attacked Paris. They also issued threat to the effect that if the King and his family were harmed, they would destroy the city. The invasion only sparked the nationalist fervor of the people and made them more radical. The Legislative Assembly’s call for volunteers all over France to defend Paris was met willing cooperation by the people. The volunteers stormed Tuileries, the residence of the royal family. When contingent from Marseilles arrived, they sang the patriotic song “Marseilles”. The volunteers were able to overrun the King’s Swiss guards and massacred them. King Louis and his family were captured while hiding near the hall of the Legislative Assembly. The insurrectionists deposed the governing council and replaced it with a new provisional executive council. The Montagnards dominated the new Parisian council and swiftly controlled the Legislative Assembly. It approved election by universal male suffrage and a new constitutional convention. After the invaders were repulsed about 1,000 royalists and suspected traitors were rounded up and summarily executed. 

On September 20, 1792, the newly elected National Constitutional Convention convened in Paris. It proclaimed the establishment of the First Republic of France and formally abolished the monarchy.

The execution of King Louis XVI

Some of the convention’s first moves were to approve the resolutions initiated by the Montagnards to try King Louis for treason. It also approved a resolution that the country would extend help to other peoples of Europe in fighting oppression, a move that in effect would export the ideals of the French Revolution across Europe through armed struggle. King Louis XVI was found guilty during the trial and was sent to guillotine on January 21, 1793.

Related article:

The French Revolution and the Reign of Terror https://lapasan-myblognoel145.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-french-revolution-and-reign-of.html

The Legacies of the French Revolution to Our Democratic Principles https://lapasan-myblognoel145.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-legacies-of-french-revolution-to.html

Gaston Park

  

Gaston Park is a tree covered recreational area situated right at the heart of Cagayan de Oro and is one of the landmarks of the city. It sits on the ground near other landmarks such as the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, the city hall, the city museum which is also the old water tower, the Ysalina Bridge and the Cagayan River.

The historic park is named after Segundo Gaston who was the mayor of Cagayan de Misamis, the former name of the city, from 1916 to 1919. Its location was the site of early Spanish-led native settlement, and the training ground of Filipino warriors during the Philippine-American War. It was also there where a battle on April 7, 1900, between the Filipino, led by Gen. Nicolas Capistrano, and American forces took place. In the year 2000, a marker was erected to commemorate that historic event.

Medium-sized trees of different varieties adorn the area of the circular shaped park. Among the trees are Cherry Blossoms which were donated by the Japanese. The trees with their lush green leaves and flowers give a sense of eco-friendly environment in and around the park.  

    

                                                                                                               

The fountain with pool, which is one of the park’s attractions, forms a concentric circle within the park. The circular park is divided into sections with the fountain at the center. The edge of the park is surrounded by trees and pairs of tree planted islands serve as boundaries of the sections. In between the pairs of islands are walkways. The tops on both sides of each island double as benches for visitors. The park’s floor is covered with adobe like pavements. Other attractions include Typhoon Sendong Memorial which gives a glimpse of the devastation caused by the event in December 2011, and the list of the people who perished in the tragedy.

 

People of all walks of life visit the park. The shade of the trees shelters them from the blistering heat of the sun during sunny days. Some people hang around there to relax; others stay there to meet or gather with friends. Still others go there to take pictures of themselves, friends and loved ones. Students who are off their class spend their time practicing dancing or doing other activities. The park is a place to stroll around alone or with friends, and, to some lovers, a dating rendezvous. Because of its proximity to the Catholic cathedral, the park is a convenient hangout for faithful coming to and going from the mass. 

                     

        

                                                   

During fiesta and other occasions, the park is a place where small businesspeople can display their goods to sell to visitors. The goods for sale include decorative plants, vegetables, fruits, foods, and souvenir items.

Santa Claus, the Iconic Figure of Christmas

                                      

Christmas is the time of the year when people spend much money on food and gifts to enjoy the holiday season. Their spending spree boosts economic activities with businesses having their busiest and most lucrative month of the year. People going to shopping malls are buoyed up with Christmas music and other treats that encourage them to buy things. During Christmas there is one figure that people are remarkably familiar with. He is Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is an inanimate object or a person dressed as such.

The history of Santa Claus can be traced to Saint Nicholas who lived in the fourth century in Lycia. Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Russia, was born in Patara, a city in the ancient district of Lycia, Asia Minor which is now in Türkiye. Nicholas belonged to a wealthy family. He abandoned that status to follow the footstep of Jesus Christ. He became an archbishop of the church in Myra, Lycia and was reported to have been in the first Council of Nicaea. He died on December 6, 343 A.D. in Myra. His remains were later brought by Italian merchants to Bari in Italy. His tomb has since then become a shrine.

Saint Nicholas

Legend has it that there were three poor girls in the place where St. Nicholas lived. The girl’s father could not afford a dowry for their weddings. During that time, it was the woman’s family who would provide dowry to a man to wed his daughters off. The more the amount of the dowry, the greater was the opportunity for the woman to have a better husband. No dowry meant that his three daughters were in danger to be sold to slavery. It was said that on three separate occasions a bag of gold was tossed through the window and landed in shoes or stockings that were hung by the fire. The bags of gold enabled the father to pay for the dowries of his daughters thus averting their misfortune.  This legend projected an image of St. Nicholas as a gift giver. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children, scholars, virgins, sailors, and merchants.  December 6 is his feast day. The eve of his festivity was celebrated by secretly giving gifts.                                                                                        

The discovery of the vast American continent by the Europeans also brought about the introduction of European customs and culture to the New World. The Dutch emigrants who settled in New York brought the tradition of gift giving on the feast of St. Nicholas who was introduced as Sinter Klaas. The feast days of Saint Nicholas and Christmas Eve are just close to each other. For this reason, the practice of gift giving on separate occasions for both festivities was made to be done only once. And the gifts are to be given on Christmas Eve.

 A shift from the traditional and Saintly St. Nicholas into an elfin figure was made in the poem written in 1882 which was attributed to Clement Clark Moore. It was entitled A Visit from Saint Nicholas.  In it he depicted St Nicholas as a pipe-smoking jolly fat man riding on sleigh that was drawn by flying reindeers. He came down to chimneys to distribute gifts. The names of the reindeer were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.  Later, one was added (Rudolph) courtesy of the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. American cartoonist Thomas Nast made a drawing of Santa based on descriptions from the poem.  He portrayed Santa as a rotund, white-bearded man who was covered with sooth. He had twinkling eyes, berry-like nose, merry dimples, rose cheeks, bow-like mouth, and broad face and round belly. He was clad in fur and carried on his back a bag stuffed with toys.

Later the image of Santa Claus has further evolved into a man wearing attire that is all in red, and the name Saint Nicholas has evolved into Santa Claus.  The celebration of Christmas has crossed continents and cultures. It has become a secular tradition that is celebrated the world over. Indeed, the children will be hanging their stockings or shoes on the wall or Christmas tree on Christmas Eve expecting that Santa Claus will stuff them with toys. And Parents should not let them down.