1.
What Christmas really is
Christmas, as they say, is intended for children. I say, not only for us, but also for those who were young once and those who continue to be young at heart. In the city, we are amazed by the glitter and the glamour. Christmas lights put up from post to post and Christmas decors of different sorts adorn the walls and windows of houses. In the countryside, we hear the carols of children, young and old, going from one home to another and singing their hearts out. Everywhere we go, we now feel the spirit of Christmas. Yes, Christmas is truly in the air.
People start shopping for gifts for their friends and loved ones. Some do it way before the season starts so they don’t get caught up with all the panic and the traffic. Some do it with haste, even on the eve of Christmas. It’s amazing how Christmas changes people’s behavior, right?
But what really is Christmas?
To answer this question, we all go back to the very essence of why we are even celebrating it. The Nativity, Jesus’ birth, is the reason why there is Christmas. The child born in the manger reminds us of Christ’s humility and love for us. It is because Jesus loves us so much that He wanted to be close to us. Emmanuel, God with us, is the reason for this season. Without Christ, there wouldn’t be Christmas.
Were you naughty or were you nice this year? Let’s recall how we did the past months. Is it only during Christmas where we become extra generous and considerate of others? Is it only during Christmas that we learn to forgive? Is it only now that we think of our faults and failures?
I believe that the only time that we understand the true essence of Christmas is if we feel it all year through. It’s not just about gift-giving, not about decorations and candies and all that glitters, it’s also about loving, caring and sharing and being constant and steady about it. If we can see to it that we have been true to ourselves and to others everyday of our lives, only then can we honestly and sincerely wish each other, “Merry Christmas!”
2.
The Paradox of Christmas
The first Christmas night when God became man in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ must have been very dark because there was no electricity then. What aided them was the light coming from that star, which shone so bright and guided the Three Wise Men.
St. Joseph and Mama Mary went to a cave in the little town of Bethlehem because there was no place for them at the inn. Imagine, God-made-man was born in a not-so-well-lighted cave! And in a manger at that! How very uncomfortable! But behold, a King in all His glory chose to be born on a bunch of hay and straw and His witnesses, some cattle and shepherds.
God came down to earth in order to teach us to be happy here and forever with Him in heaven. What a lesson for those who think that happiness at Christmas is found in partying, in receiving many gifts, or in decorating our home with Christmas decors and lights.
True Christmas joy and happiness at Christmas means reminding ourselves that Almighty God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, born in a manger inside a cave in the smallest town of Bethlehem.
But what have we done? We gauge our happiness on the number of gifts that we receive. Businessmen enrich themselves by capitalizing on the poor God-made-man. They make people think that lights, food and drinks make us happy. Let us not listen to them because this is not where the true spirit of Christmas is found.
True happiness is found in love because each one of us is a product of love. God-becoming-man that first Christmas is our reason for being happy!
Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel means God is very close and near to us by becoming one of us at Christmas. Let us all be thankful to that!
3.
Christmas in the Philippines.
Christmas in the Philippines starts when the ‘-ber months begin. As early as September, shopping malls and department stores play Christmas songs. Lights and ornaments go on sale. Some cost cheaper in bulk. The Filipino customer who’s after the savings begin shopping even before All Saints’ and All Souls ’ Day. They even buy more Christmas decors than candles in commemoration of their dearly departed - typical Filipino practice.
Christmas in the Philippines means making sure that they have completed the nine-day dawn mass. This means waking up in the wee hours of the morning to religiously follow this devotion until Simbang Gabi. Usually, most end up sleeping in the middle of the mass, missing important parts of it and doing the same in the succeeding days. Tsk tsk tsk! So Filipino.
I could go on enumerating typical Filipino practices during the Christmas season but I really don’t have to just to prove my point.
I understand that we as a country want our Christmas to be happy and memorable. But if I may say so, it’s becoming pretty boring and traditional. Every year, it’s all the same.
That’s why, this Christmas I like to challenge all of you to try something new. Make it unique and worthwhile. Make it a learning experience. It doesn’t need to be a very happy one. Try some new stuff. Talk to your neighbor whom you haven’t spoken to for a while, for example. Give gifts to those who can’t give you something back but their happiness and gratitude. Wear your old clothes which you have worn only once. Try not to overeat. Share your food to those who have none. These acts may come as sacrifices for you but they are valued by the recipients.
As a country, I think we are missing the whole point of why there is Christmas. And it’s about time to change that mentality.
Give genuine love not only this Christmas. Everybody needs love, don’t you?
What Christmas really is
Christmas, as they say, is intended for children. I say, not only for us, but also for those who were young once and those who continue to be young at heart. In the city, we are amazed by the glitter and the glamour. Christmas lights put up from post to post and Christmas decors of different sorts adorn the walls and windows of houses. In the countryside, we hear the carols of children, young and old, going from one home to another and singing their hearts out. Everywhere we go, we now feel the spirit of Christmas. Yes, Christmas is truly in the air.
People start shopping for gifts for their friends and loved ones. Some do it way before the season starts so they don’t get caught up with all the panic and the traffic. Some do it with haste, even on the eve of Christmas. It’s amazing how Christmas changes people’s behavior, right?
But what really is Christmas?
To answer this question, we all go back to the very essence of why we are even celebrating it. The Nativity, Jesus’ birth, is the reason why there is Christmas. The child born in the manger reminds us of Christ’s humility and love for us. It is because Jesus loves us so much that He wanted to be close to us. Emmanuel, God with us, is the reason for this season. Without Christ, there wouldn’t be Christmas.
Were you naughty or were you nice this year? Let’s recall how we did the past months. Is it only during Christmas where we become extra generous and considerate of others? Is it only during Christmas that we learn to forgive? Is it only now that we think of our faults and failures?
I believe that the only time that we understand the true essence of Christmas is if we feel it all year through. It’s not just about gift-giving, not about decorations and candies and all that glitters, it’s also about loving, caring and sharing and being constant and steady about it. If we can see to it that we have been true to ourselves and to others everyday of our lives, only then can we honestly and sincerely wish each other, “Merry Christmas!”
2.
The Paradox of Christmas
The first Christmas night when God became man in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ must have been very dark because there was no electricity then. What aided them was the light coming from that star, which shone so bright and guided the Three Wise Men.
St. Joseph and Mama Mary went to a cave in the little town of Bethlehem because there was no place for them at the inn. Imagine, God-made-man was born in a not-so-well-lighted cave! And in a manger at that! How very uncomfortable! But behold, a King in all His glory chose to be born on a bunch of hay and straw and His witnesses, some cattle and shepherds.
God came down to earth in order to teach us to be happy here and forever with Him in heaven. What a lesson for those who think that happiness at Christmas is found in partying, in receiving many gifts, or in decorating our home with Christmas decors and lights.
True Christmas joy and happiness at Christmas means reminding ourselves that Almighty God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son, born in a manger inside a cave in the smallest town of Bethlehem.
But what have we done? We gauge our happiness on the number of gifts that we receive. Businessmen enrich themselves by capitalizing on the poor God-made-man. They make people think that lights, food and drinks make us happy. Let us not listen to them because this is not where the true spirit of Christmas is found.
True happiness is found in love because each one of us is a product of love. God-becoming-man that first Christmas is our reason for being happy!
Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel means God is very close and near to us by becoming one of us at Christmas. Let us all be thankful to that!
3.
Christmas in the Philippines.
Christmas in the Philippines starts when the ‘-ber months begin. As early as September, shopping malls and department stores play Christmas songs. Lights and ornaments go on sale. Some cost cheaper in bulk. The Filipino customer who’s after the savings begin shopping even before All Saints’ and All Souls ’ Day. They even buy more Christmas decors than candles in commemoration of their dearly departed - typical Filipino practice.
Christmas in the Philippines means making sure that they have completed the nine-day dawn mass. This means waking up in the wee hours of the morning to religiously follow this devotion until Simbang Gabi. Usually, most end up sleeping in the middle of the mass, missing important parts of it and doing the same in the succeeding days. Tsk tsk tsk! So Filipino.
I could go on enumerating typical Filipino practices during the Christmas season but I really don’t have to just to prove my point.
I understand that we as a country want our Christmas to be happy and memorable. But if I may say so, it’s becoming pretty boring and traditional. Every year, it’s all the same.
That’s why, this Christmas I like to challenge all of you to try something new. Make it unique and worthwhile. Make it a learning experience. It doesn’t need to be a very happy one. Try some new stuff. Talk to your neighbor whom you haven’t spoken to for a while, for example. Give gifts to those who can’t give you something back but their happiness and gratitude. Wear your old clothes which you have worn only once. Try not to overeat. Share your food to those who have none. These acts may come as sacrifices for you but they are valued by the recipients.
As a country, I think we are missing the whole point of why there is Christmas. And it’s about time to change that mentality.
Give genuine love not only this Christmas. Everybody needs love, don’t you?
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