Christmas thoughts

We’ve had so many challenging years in the past, but this year will definitely go down in our nation’s history as one of the most challenging years we ever had. Our capacity to cope with and ability to spring back from both man-made and natural disasters was really put to the test. These disasters started from the armed conflict in Zamboanga City and extended to the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, then finally to the wrath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” which killed several thousands and left more than a hundred billion pesos worth of destruction in properties.

It’s four days before Christmas day. With all the things that happened this year to our country, one can’t help but wonder if there’s still good reason to celebrate Christmas and the coming of a new year.

I think everything that happened gives us all the more reason to celebrate the spirit of the season in a more meaningful manner, as it should be.

Lost focus

Many of us have unfortunately lost focus on the real meaning of Christmas, diverting our attention from its spiritual essence to the commercial hype caused by various business establishments, such that the season has been conveniently stretched to start as soon as the cool breeze of late October or early November is felt.

The Christmas decors on the shops’ display windows entice us to do as much shopping as we can afford; our list of parties and reunions to attend—which are occasions for binge eating and drinking—fill our calendars, and we seem to be unmindful of our adrenaline rising and our bladders overfilling as we get caught in monstrous traffic jams rushing from one party to another.

We’re probably no better than the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated the season, then called “The Feast of the Son of Isis,” with gluttonous merrymaking consisting of binge eating and drinking, and lavish gift-giving. The pagans then celebrated winter solstice by 12 nights of eating and drinking.

Our present Christmas tree appears to have evolved also from the holly boughs and ivy, mistletoe and other foliage the pagans used as part of a fertility ritual—holly and ivy representing male and female, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe, which was considered a sacred plant, a strong supplication to their gods from an infertile couple.

Commercial overindulgence

Sadly, without us meaning to, the Christ in Christmas has been taken out; and the commercial overindulgence has debased its true meaning. Without us realizing it, we have reverted to the paganistic practices, which actually are not all bad, if only we don’t neglect the real essence and spirit of the season.

So probably, the disasters that befell our country this year are strong reminders about the misdirection that we had unwittingly led ourselves to; and this Christmas should be an opportune occasion to redirect ourselves and focus on its real meaning—giving, sharing, sacrificing and humbling ourselves as Jesus had done a little more than 2.000 years ago.

It’s now heartening to see Filipinos pitching their time, talent and whatever resources they could share to help those who were devastated by the man-made and natural calamities. Many lavish Christmas parties had been canceled, or at least made very simple and austere so the saved money could be donated to typhoon and earthquake victims.

It’s equally inspiring and encouraging how the whole international community has promptly rushed to our rescue for financial assistance and other ongoing aids to help the devastated areas recover and spring back to their feet.

Pitched in their share

People from all walks of life have pitched in their share, from the street cleaner who volunteered to wash the dishes in feeding centers to doctors who left the comforts of their clinics in Manila to treat ill survivors in typhoon-ravaged areas.

Even celebrities like Manny Pacquiao and Justin Bieber took time out from their busy schedules to bring cheers and convey messages of hope to the survivors who are languishing in some evacuation centers, uncertain of what the future has in store for them. American actor Paul Walker literally shared his life with the Yolanda victims as he died moments after coming from a fund-raising event for the supertyphoon victims.

The giving, sharing and sacrificing that many people had done and continue to do for the victims of Yolanda are enough reason to find joy in these trying times and to celebrate Christmas in its simplest yet purest form once more, like the shepherds did in that cold night more than 2,000 years ago as they rejoiced the humble birth of a baby on a manger.

May everyone be blessed with the true spirit and meaning of Christmas.