IT’S Christmas eve. No matter how bittersweet the memories have been so far this year, Filipinos would find every means to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
For the thousands of victims of the series of earthquakes and bombing incidents in Mindanao and flash floods and other disasters in different parts of the country, Noche Buena preparations may not be part of their routine this Christmas. Perhaps, others will still try to endure the pain and try to survive this joyous time of the year with a special prayer in their hearts.
So what does Christmas really mean? Answers vary from one person to another.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said, “Simple and genuine life where humility with competence, compassion and generosity as you strive for excellence and a lot of hard work. Enjoy life no matter what.”
Ariel Ladores, minister of International Churches of Christ (ICOC)-Dava, said, “The true meaning of Christmas is love and forgiveness (John 3:16, Mat. 1:21). We must have the attitude of gratitude to Jesus because of what he has done in our lives.”
His wife Amor added, “Christmas is a season of gratefulness. Salvation through Jesus is the most priceless reason for the season.”
Marissa Takehira said Christmas is a time for thanksgiving of the love and mercy that we receive every single day. “It’s a time for gathering with the family, to encourage them to forgive one another and to love more and more despite of everything,” she added.
University of Mindanao (UM) architecture freshman student Clintdell Oresco, meanwhile, said, “Christmas is the time to celebrate together with our family even having nothing, and also loving each other, spreading the heart of giving, and providing happiness to others with just a simple act of kindness. Also the thing we must remember is not all gifts are given through material aspects, but also through words of encouragement.”
AMA sixth grader Shiloh Roque, for her part, said, “Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior.”
Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School student Jirah Faith Uy said Christmas is sacrificing one’s self to bring one of the greatest happiness someone could feel. “It’s about giving something out of nothing but because of the pure joy that you are able to receive, that nothing turns out to be something,” Uy said.
Senior citizen Digno Enerio said Christmas can be attributed to so many different things but it could mean change, caring, connection, celebration, loving and giving.
Dentist Karen Oreta said Christmas is a time to remember how Jesus was born in a manger... a sign of simplicity and humility. “We should see the importance of Christmas that way and not to make it lavish but what is more important is for the family being together and united as one. Christmas for me is also a time for reconciliation and forgiveness because this is what pleases the Lord the most.”
Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Generose Tecson said Christmas is more of giving and doing good stuff that you won’t normally do for others.
She also said, “Most especially it’s being able to go to Christmas Mass together with your loved ones and family and all the laughter and kisses that come right after.”
Six-year-old Shem Nathaniel, a student of Abba’s Child Science School Foundation, Inc. said Christmas is receiving toys while his elder brother 13-year-old Sean Nicolas said, “Christmas is a time for giving.”
30th Southeast Asian Games 2019 women’s arnis gold medalist Jezebel Morcillo said the true meaning of Christmas is happiness. “Celebrating it with God,” she said.