Christmas spirit
Year after year, we celebrate Christmas with pretty much the same drive and verve. Some would compare this year's celebration with those of the previous in terms, perhaps, in the level of preparation and intensity of emotional impact or memories that the celebration has left. Though this is something very personal but it is in the practices that make our celebration meaningful.
I'm thinking of some Christmas traditions that are still being practiced by many. They may have evolved through time but still embrace similar intent. There you have the dawn masses that churches swelled of parishioners in attendance. For many, they have some special favors that when the nine dawn masses are completed, wishes will be granted. I have realized that it is not easy to wake up every single day so early just to hear early masses. On the other hand, desolately, this becomes an opportunity of some of our young to meet their beaus and belles-and not anymore attending seriously to the mass.
The celebration would never be complete without the gift-giving. We find time to wrap small, simple items just to bring a special message of remembering our loved ones. Just a simple thought that these simple items bring is more than enough to boost one's morale. It's been my yearly practice to make sure I have small items for my relatives, friends, and especially to my nieces, nephews, and godchildren since they were still children until now that they are all grown-ups.
The Noche Buena, no matter how simple it is, can make the celebration more colorful. It is in the special preparation of at least not-so-ordinary dishes that would spice up the celebration. It is also the time when loved ones come together and share their bounty.
During Christmas season, we always expect some carolers to sing some daygon songs. Above all, we look forward to a visit from a musician that plays beautiful songs using his harp. This is with so much delight of my mother looking from the veranda. This is reminiscent of some old days, when my late father would always request for some special songs, like his all-time favorite "Pasko sa Usa ka Binilanggo". The song implies a lot of feelings of chained happiness. It is an old lullaby but remains new to us-so moving, so soulful.
But more than these is the message that Christmas brings. Though there are some changes on the way we celebrate Christmas but the spirit remains the same: humility, service and love. It reminds us of one's humility, for Jesus was born not in a hospital with all the latest and high end provisions we can imagine of, but only in a manger. He was not born to be served but to be of service to others. How many of us now who has truly the heart to be subservient, to be willing to go out of one's way?? Love may be just a word, a term that is easy to say but difficult to find the true meaning, so hard to actualize, especially when loving someone becomes an obligation or is out of favor or dictate.
As this is the opportune time, please allow me to greet the people whom I have shared with my values, time, talent and love. To my family, through thick and thin, they have provided me the much-needed support. My physical frailty, in sickness, they are ever-present. Whatever I do, I always anchor my strength to my family. To my colleagues and students in the academe, thank you. To my fellow women and children advocates, thank you for the opportunity to be of service to the disadvantaged and marginalized. To my friends in the artistic world, this year may not be as colorful and significant without your unreserved support and trust, thank you for the opportunities and the bountiful artistic harvests.
MaLIGAYAng Pasko to you and to your family! It is my fervent hope and prayer that we face the New Year with better version of ourselves. It is then we can say that we have learned and grown from our present selves. Advance happy and prosperous New Year to us all!
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