Christmas In Our Hearts

I love Christmas! I just love everything about it – the spirit of the season, the kringles, the joyous carols, the holiday madness, the cold weather, the family gatherings, reunion with old friends… everything! As the famous Christmas song goes “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!” Indeed, it’s my most anticipated month the whole year through – a time to feast!

Yeah, right. Feasting! Beginning the first week of December, Christmas parties are already in gear, and it’s going to last the whole month through. Add to that the Christmas bazaars with their array of sumptuous delicacies and “free tasting” for delighted shoppers and passers-by. And Noche Buena… how can one even begin to describe the variety of treats? Such a fun-filled season indeed!

Yet amidst these merry-making and feasting came a deep thought in my mind. While office parties and money splurging are taking off, a poor family is still hoping for a plate of rice and salted fish to come by. Street kids and old beggars are spreading everywhere, eagerly waiting for a drop of peso to feed their hunger. See the irony?

I could also start thinking about those people around who have to work even on holidays. On Christmas, there will always be waiters, security guards, medical personnel, sales ladies, bus drivers, technicians – people who are on duty 24/7. While we are enjoying Noche Buena with our family, they will be away from their loved ones, and will be unable to partake fully the richness of this joyful Christmas Day.

What then is the real essence of Christmas for all of us? Ahh.. it would be more than just the kringles, the christmas carols, the holiday madness, the reunions, the noche buena and all those things we had our money splurged on. It would be more on partaking Jesus and rejoicing over His birth. For it is not what is outside of us that is important but our eagerness for Him inside of us.

A blessed Christmas to one and all!