Of all the events and seasons in a year, Christmas is always looked forward to with excitement and cheer. It brings out the goodness in man and woman. It is a day when we expect the coming of someone in our homes but we do not really see who the visitor is. No matter how invisible that someone may be, we feel in our hearts the message of His coming.
People celebrate Christmas differently. It is said that the Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration because at the onset of September, some start decorating their houses while others start making Christmas list for gifts to their loved ones. People love everything about Christmas Day - the nativity scene, carolling, scripture reading and concerts. November onwards, it is impossible to forget that Christmas is coming. Colourful lights decorate many town centres and shops, along with shiny decorations, and artificial snow painted on shop windows. During the Christmas season people delight at the sight of a brightly decorated town especially when Christmas bulbs are twinkling.
We do not do these things because we are compelled to or because tradition says we ought to. We do them simply because the spirit of Christmas is upon us. Peace and goodwill, familiar words of the Christmas story suddenly become positive and meaningful. It is part of us, part of our heritage and of our national as well as individual behaviour.
Christmas is not only neither gifts nor decorations. We do not say, “Have a nice gift or decoration on Christmas.” We greet them, “Merry Christmas.” It must be merry not because of the things we receive but it is the quality time we spend with our family and loved ones that counts. We sometimes forget to know more about our family or loved ones because of our hectic works. Let Christmas be the time to know more the people who are dear to us, those people whom we consider special in our heart. A special gift is not worth it but your presence and talks to them will surely be meaningful.
Christmas is a reminder for us that we are one nation. One means helping each other especially those who are in need. Let us not ignore those brothers and sisters who need our help. As embodied in a song that says “give love on Christmas day,” let’s open our doors to them.
The tradition of Christmas blossoms with fun and celebration and carries along with it faith, hope and love. Let us look about us and within us and count our very obvious blessings. Let us remember that, for all our shortcomings, we embody for the rest of the world the charity and generosity and goodwill that are the essence of the Christian and the Christmas spirit.
Let Christmas be really merry not only for ourselves but also to those people whom we should help. Christmas is the coming, the birth of Christ and on this day, God gave us His son for us people who need His help.
More than the material things that come with Christmas, let be that invisible spirit of love live within us and be felt by others not only during Christmas but throughout the year.
We can make this world a better world to live in if we celebrate Christmas daily in our lives.
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