The wrong preparation for Christmas

Life today has become very secular. The world has succumbed to too much consumerism and materialism. Christmas has turned out to be a big business. And people can no longer celebrate the Yuletide without a lot of money, and  large credit cards expenses. The true essence of the season has been lost in the seemingly endless frenzy to spend, spend, spend  and in the peoples' endemic craze in rushing to buy, buy, buy. Today’s symbols of Christmas like snow, Christmas trees, reindeer, Sta Claus, mistletoe, and all the elves, have nothing to do with the true reason for the season.

Today, all the people are doing is shop, shop and shop until they drop. Malls and supermarkets make a killing out of the peoples' splurging and overspending. Credit card companies have a heyday charging fees, interests and surcharges. Gift shops are having unprecedented brisk sales and restaurants, and hotels spas and beauty shops are selling gift certificates, and people are buying like crazy. Are these really the intended activities for Christmas? Since when has Christmas become an excuse for commercialism?

People are subjected to pressures to buy expensive things and to give gifts. Family members, friends, relatives, office mates and business partners, customers, clients and neighbors are expecting something wrapped with ribbons and cards. Thus suppliers shower their buyers and customers with gifts of expensive wines, perfumes, beauty products, clothing and its accessories, even trip abroad and holiday and tour packages.Those who receive expensive packages are happy. Those who are forgotten or omitted carry some grudge and disappointment.

Christmas gifts are even used as bribes for government officials, including tax and customs agents and officials, as well as judges, prosecutors, arbiters and commissioners. Christmas is being used to commit graft and to corrupt public officials. Some government functionaries do not feel insulted if they are given expensive gifts. They welcome it and even encourage the giving by making '' parinig'' or ''padungog-dungog''. It was different when I was working in Cebu Court as interpreter. My judges/bosses, the late Judges Eliseo T. Ynclino and Jesus P. Narvios used to scold us for accepting packages intended for them. They insisted that we returned them one by one.

Today, Christmas has become overly materialistic. People are too-focused on giving and getting. There is no more simple dinners and family gatherings that emphasize the fellowship and sharing of filial love and affections. Today, even children are demanding expensive toys and gadgets. Security guards greet us with meaningful tones as if asking for something. Messengers and collectors give blank envelops to be filled with cash. Beggars and pickpockets are pressured to generate more income for the big day. We have all lost the true and real meaning of it all. It's all money, money and money. These are not the proper preparation for Christmas. Its a pity that we lost the true meaning of it all. Sayang.

[email protected]