Christmas is 'sharing' time
by Evelyn R. Luab
of Sun.Star Cebu
All of us, not only the little ones look forward to the gifts we expect to receive this Christmas.
Government employes know well in advance when they will get their bonus. The date is usually published in the newspaper, non-government employes usually get their 13th month pay on the 20th of December.
Those who are not so blessed as to get a fixed bonus still hope that even the cash strapped employers will share whatever they can with them.
Jesus of Nazareth set an example for us to follow. Before feeding the hungry multitude He asked, “How many leaves of bread do you have?” The crowd had followed Him not only to listen to His words but also to be healed, to be consoled and to be touched. They had nothing to bring to Jesus.
Jesus was all giving and He made do with what little He had.
During this season, it is also time for us to make an inventory of what we have and what we can spare.
Everyone can give. Time and service are equally acceptable gift items.
A neighbor of ours offers to stay at our house every time our whole family goes out of the city during the Christmas season. She has been doing this for about five years now. Whenever I offer to give her money, she always refuses to accept the money by saying “ako sad nang pinaskohan nimo Maam.” (This is my Christmas gift to you)
My catechism class at the pier area enjoy our Christmas decors and to set up our “belen”. I am so grateful for the service they give because it is no joke to shake the dust form the old decors, polish the bronze jars and hang the wreath. By the time we are through, they know that their Christmas gift to me is well appreciated.
This Christmas finds me with an inventory of items which are meager in comparison to the previous years. However I have discovered small shops where I can get items at P39 or P49. Beautiful plastic colored plates, umbrellas, alarm clocks, mugs, frames, flashlights, toys and other items. You would be surprised to find that they really are beautiful items provided you have the patience to look for them.
One can even get from the “ukay-ukay” (relief goods which find their way to carbon). Blouses are three for P100. Washing those blouses with a good detergent turns them into gift items worth giving away. Of course, one must have the patience to make “ukay” (delve into a pile, separate and choose).
Business for the small entrepreneurs isn’t good this year. So many things like the PPA of our electric bill and poor sales give the businessman enough financial headaches. Yet there are some who will still give a cash bonus and a box of grocery items. True it isn’t much but employes now know the limitations of their employers’ pockets. Whatever is given is appreciated.
There are those however who will not bother to give with the excuse that there are no profits to be shared. To these people we hope they will remember the lesson which Silas Marner learned.
Life can be puzzling. As early as in kindergarten we are taught to make cards or papier mâché vases to give away on Christmas Day. As we grow older we are taught to save so we can buy our loved ones Christmas gifts. Yet once we are in a position to become generous, we start counting the cost. We become callous in an effort to be practical. Some of us no longer choose the gift to suit the recipient. We look for wholesale prices and buy dozens of one item. We then wrap items like towels or T-shirts and give them away regardless if the recipient is a boy or a girl. Some do not even bother to wrap the gift. “Sayang” (what a waste) of the cost of a wrapper. As long as we have done our “duty” that’s that! What a tragedy! To look at gift giving as a duty. Whatever happened to the spirit of Christmas?
When the three wise men came to the manger, they did not mind the long trip, neither did they mind carrying the chosen gifts.
The shepherds having nothing to offer brought their animals to provide heat for the manger on that wintry night. They also provided the Holy Family with the warmth of their presence.
Presence is often taken for granted. Yet to us, the older group, the presence of our children, grandchildren, relatives and friends do brighten our days.
We are hoping that because times are difficult, many really try to make the extra effort to remember the needy. Human nature is such that when we start sorting out things to discard, we hold back a lot of useless things to us because we don’t want to let go. Let us keep old Mr. Scrooge at bay.
Christmas this year will not be as merry as in the past years. Mass lay-offs and scarcity of jobs are here to stay. We only have to look at the number of children begging to notice the times.
We cannot hope to carry the economic burdens of others but we can make merry or at least a little bit more merry for some of our brothers. |
