The Christmas spirit lives on

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many were oblivious to the fact that the Yuletide season was just around the corner. Schedules were frantic. There were too many things to take care of and the usual goals to be achieved before the year ends. 

And then just before the holidays, we may have the tendency to be more caught up with Christmas parties and shopping sprees. However, just when it’s Christmas time we can’t help but appreciate the joy of this season. Friends and family get together. It’s a time to be thankful and a time to be generous. 

Christmas usually starts a period of reflection of the year that was — what we have been blessed with. This, hopefully, leads to resolutions for the new year. Hopefully though, more than events and happenings, we should also take time to pray and spend some time with God. Let us not forget the spirit that motivates Christmas. A few meaningful quiet moments this season would do us a lot of good. 

I did not grow up with lavish Christmas celebration, but my family had its way of making this time of the year special. Material blessings are not requirements to observe the joy of Christmas.

There are precious Christmas traditions that people hold on to from one generation to another. 

Music always brings good cheer. We come across a novelty Christmas tune every now and then but it is still the traditional tunes that never fail to bring in the spirit of the season. Whoever got tired of listening to Silent Night or Jingle Bells? 

And people with the talent and enthusiasm to share the gift of music go caroling, in small or big groups, it does not matter as long as everybody is having fun. Even street kids make do with improvised instruments in keeping up with this tradition.

Of course, who does not enjoy Kris Kringle? There’s always thrill in anticipating what the gift for the day is and from whom all the presents come. And who does not get excited with the presents that pile up around the Christmas tree?

During this season, diets are forgotten. It’s a perfect time for bibingka, puto bumbong, tsokolate, hamon and quezo de bola — treats we usually associate with merrymaking. There’s also lechon, paella, leche flan — everything that tastes good but bad for the heart and waistline. 

And of course, there are the bright lights that adorn the metropolis — a little something that eases the stress of evening holiday traffic. Lanterns also get more and more beautiful. All these displays make a smile a little wider.

However, the bottom line is — considering how this season makes the world seem more beautiful, it’s all empty if we lose focus from the real meaning of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Jesus Christ came into this world to save us. That is the whole point of this season. We need not ask for anything lavish because anyone who has Jesus in his heart, has eternal life. What could be a better gift?