Christmas is the glorious season of the year. It is because hearts are softened. Voices are raised in worship. Kindness and mercy are reentrant as elements in our lives. There is an accelerated reaching out to those in distress. There is an aura of peace that comes into our homes. There is a measure of love that is not felt to the same instant at any other time of the year. Christmas season is a kind of celebration that you will never forget in the Philippines.
At this year, as early as September, Christmas carols are heard. Christmas lights are seen glittering in the house. Christmas symbols are seen from every house that symbolizes peace and unity. At the early month of December, the malls are crowded and the traffic is worst than before. Then, at this time, Christmas songs are often played and heard wherever you go. On the other hand, workers are very busy trying to finish their job and to be able to go home and to have a time to celebrate family reunion.
Christmas is truly the best time of the year. But have we ever realized the true meaning of Christmas? Probably we are just concern about the presents we are about to receive.
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| Christmas lights are seen from every houses. |
Each Christmas season is a season of showing our love to someone whom we loved. It is the time of showing our charitable acts to those in need. Giving presents is one of the acts we can show our love to others. It doesn’t matter if the presents we gave is expensive or not, as long as it comes from out heart. Serving others is also the best gift we can give to others. By serving them, we can let them feel that they are important to us. Just like our savior, Jesus Christ. He bled and died for us. The same as we show our brotherly love to our peers. So, we should make a little sacrifice in this Christmas to show that we loved them so much. Even if it is just a simple act of kindness, still it can greatly make one heart feel that he/she is not alone in this Christmas.
Christmas is also the season of thanksgiving to our Lord, Jesus Christ. We should give thanks to Him for the things He mercifully done for us. It is the time to raise our voices in worship.
Christmas is also the best time of forgiving and being forgiven. We should remember that the real essence of Christmas is about how you put smile in everyone’s face. It is also a season of family reunion. For me, the very top of my wish list is that our family will be gathered together this Christmas.
I remember that we usually gather and celebrate at our mother’s house. My two sisters, their husband, and their children come with us to celebrate Christmas. We spend the day baking cookies, making fudge brownies and preparing a big Christmas dinner. The children play together and they share their new toys that “Santa Claus” had brought to them.
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| My family during the Christmas Season in 2010 |
Decorating for Christmas is also fun. My eldest brother draws a back drop of the Nativity scene, which he displays every year. Together with my brothers and brothers-in-law, we put decorations outside our house and also in the front yard. My mother and my sisters lead the indoor decorations. The last thing we put is our big Christmas tree. Each of us has a favorite trimming that we put on the tree. Most of the tree’s ornaments are made by each of us.
I feel so fortunate that I see my family every day, especially during Christmas season. For me, Christmas is all about being with my family and showing how much they mean to me.
This Christmas season is wonderful in many ways. It is a season of charitable acts of kindness and brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own lives and about the many blessings that the Lord has showered upon us. It is a season of forgiving and loving our enemies. It is a season to enjoy the music and lights, parties and presents. But the glitter of the season should never dim our sight and prevent us from truly seeing the Prince of Peace in His majesty.
