Our weapon that is Christmas

Continuing with our Christmas theme, long ago I came across an interesting short story about Christmas. Since “War of the Worlds” was constantly showing at HBO, I was reminded of that short story. And yes, it has aliens in them as well! Read on.

Apparently, aliens have been watching over us all these years, with the hostile intent of invading our world. They keenly studied the way we waged war with each other, particularly the weapons and the methods we used to fight them. As the years passed, they were certain they could invade the earth and succeed, knowing that they had a superior technology, along with the numbers. But one thing always kept them at bay. One thing always prevented them from launching a full scale attack on our planet. And that one thing was Christmas.

They could not understand why practically the whole world would cease fighting during this time. Why everyone would just drop their weapons and spend even a few days with family and friends in peace. Why peace treaties were sometimes forged during this time. And this happened every year, no matter what kind of chaos the whole world was in. If something like this affected humans, how would this affect them as aliens? They may be successful in invading the earth, but come Christmas time, they too would be subject to such acts of peace and love. And they had nothing to counteract it. No weapon that would eradicate this Christmas threat. No way to make them immune to such an unexplainable phenomenon. And so, they decided to wait, and continue observing, until they had an answer for mankind’s deadliest weapon, Christmas.

For all we know this story may be true. Christmas does bring out the kindness in most of us, as well as the peaceful spirits in humankind. Coupled with the holiday season, everybody just tries to be in their happiest and if possible, generous mood. Even enemies drop their weapons and spend time in peace. Such is the power of Christmas. Bacteria did the aliens in in the movie “War of the Worlds”, as we have earned the right through evolution to live and coexist with them. And for the last two millennia, we have been given a reason to celebrate mankind’s redemption from the wages of sin. A celebration of the birth of the Messiah. The Prince of Peace. Peace in every form. I hope for this continued tradition of peace and joy, generosity and charity, for all this coming days. And perhaps if we could improve as a race, for the whole year round!

My acknowledgements to my brother’s friend, Dr. Jorge Yao, for the short story. Wonderful!