What Christmas means

Friday, December 23, 2011

AMID the glitter of lights and colorful decors that adorn major thoroughfares, households, malls, offices, and schools is the simple truth that Christmas is indeed a season of celebration.

We grieve and mourn for those who lost their loved ones to the destructive Typhoon Sendong. We sigh in anguish with the way thousands of people, including children, die without a fight. We may blame others for the tragedy, but as one Filipino people, we act to meet the needs of those who are displaced, left behind and suffered loss.

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Christmas is here! The Christmas spirit is very much alive in each one of us.

Christmas, which reminds us of Jesus coming in human form to fulfill God's promise of salvation, is present in those who gave donations in cash or in kind for the flashflood victims of Northern Mindanao. Christmas is evident in every volunteer who risked his or her life to save a neighbor or a stranger or a countryman. Christmas is given a new face in those who fervently pray for those in pain and for the suffering because of the tragedy.

Christmas is every kind word, charitable deed and sacrificial love we give to benefit others.

Others, too, have their own meaning of Christmas.

"Christmas is a season for giving and forgiving just as Christ gave himself to the cross so that all our sins may be forgiven." - Jill Villanueva-Palarca, University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) teacher

"Christmas means spending time with your loved ones. A time for sharing and reflecting on God's blessings of the past year." - Engr. Chito Malabanan

"Christmas for me means celebrating the birth of Jesus by hearing mass, sharing blessings to others and spending time with my dear ones." - Aurea G. Dizon, Palau Island-based Dabawenya journalist

"Christmas is the gift of the father to His undeserving sons and daughters, his unconditional Love through Jesus Christ." - Nikki Pepino Gordon

"Christmas is for us to be merry even if you don't feel like it....!" - Ryan Neil dela Cueva, Dubai-based OFW

"Christmas is a time of gratefulness to god for sending His one and only Son for us to have life." - Amor Quilacio Ladores, Dabawenya teacher in Pattaya, Thailand

"It's celebrating Jesus' birthday above all and also spending time with your loved-ones and sharing blessings to everyone," Nikki Erica Yngayo, rated chess player

"Christmas for me means family above all else... and then it's the time for sharing and giving. In other words, it's Valentine's Day in December because love is in the air at Christmas time." - Ivy Guinto Fernandez, Holiday Gym and Spa chief operations officer

"It's a time to host a family get together in my home. It's a time to bring loved-ones together and catch up with each other's lives." - Ronnie Morrondoz Tabudlong, Blue Knight Chess Club director

"It is celebrating God's love towards manking. Jesus came to die on the cross to save us from eternal condemnation." - Rommel C. Tan, Association for the Advancement of Karatedo Davao head

"It is the time of the year that reminds me of how much I am loved. Loved not only because of the many gifts I received from friends and family but more so because of the birth of my Savior Jesus Christ." Aubrey Arguelles, Philippine Information Agency

"Christmas is celebrating God's faithfulness in our lives! It is a celebration of thanksgiving for God's most precious gift - salvation through Jesus Christ!" - Pamela Jane Sangalang Cortez, Sanina boutique proprietress

"Christmas is a time for families to get together, relishing the year gone past and making memories to last a lifetime." Rochelle Roluna Hernandez, Filipina nurse in Bournemouth, England

"Christmas means sharing. A time when you think of everyone else except yourself." - Hazel Dacanay Ancheta, Philippine Basketball Association

"Christmas is a time of love, peace and happiness. Like the gleaming lights and glittery ornaments that accompany this season of joy, the best quality and feature of humanity is on display." - Vincent Literal, Indiana, USA

"It's when Mommy and Daddy spend a whole lot of time with me because of the holidays. A lot more time of fun and excitement for the exchange gifts! Weeee!" - Sherl Nicole Jumao-as, Davao Christian High School

"Christmas is looking forward for Santa Claus's gifts." - Samantha Mei Gabucan Teo, four years old

"Magbigayan at walang mag-aaway (Sharing and no fighting)." - Karsheena Roque, seven years old

"It's the birthday of Jesus." - Zoie Gabucan, four years old

"Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. A time to share our blessing to others." - Paul Gabriel Caparas, 11, Holy Child School of Davao

"Sharing, peace and love." - Lois Beatrice Peralta, Grade 2, Ebenezer Christian School of Davao

"Show kindess and love to everyone." - Amiel Nathan Peralta, Kindergarten 2, ECSD

"It's all about love and giving because it's Jesus birthday." - Coleen Venice Casilan, six years old, Abba's Orchard

"Masaya kasi kasama ko family, mahabang bakasyon, maraming parties at exchange gifts." - Ethan Reeve Constantino, 10 years old

"Maraming gifts!" - Sean Nicolas, five years old
No matter what Christmas means to any of us, let us be reminded that Jesus is the reason we celebrate it.

May your celebration be as good as it can be.

A joyous Christmas and a fruitful New Year to all!