IT IS not hard to imagine how difficult it must be for many of us to celebrate Christmas, given the circumstances in which we find ourselves. The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed and is continuing to claim the lives of so many of our fellow Filipinos, with many struggling not just because of the illness but also its effects on their livelihood and the economy. Many of us have also witnessed the worsening effects of climate change firsthand, with the string of destructive typhoons adding destruction and more deaths to the toll this year has taken.
Adding to our burdens are the prevalence of political scandals during this already precarious time from violations from the very people tasked to enforce quarantine and lockdown measures, to the billions of pesos lost to corruption under Philhealth as well as the most recent mismanagement of the Covid-19 response which ultimately led to the delay of the delivery of the much-needed and much-anticipated Covid-19 vaccines. Not only have many of us lost their loved ones, their livelihood, and many opportunities, but we have also lost confidence in our leaders. This is good news to no one, as no one profits from a government which does not inspire hope and trust. Not even its critics.
But it is even more lamentable that on top of these pressing issues, we have carried over through this pandemic the atmosphere of fear and impunity which has plagued us in recent years. In fact, the atmosphere of fear has intensified given the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law, which has dangerously broadened the definition of terrorism to possibly include human rights advocates, community organizers, and even members of the clergy. While news of "tokhang" victims and "nanlaban" suspects have been relatively scarce, news of those killed for being tagged as "Communists" or red-tagged are becoming a regular occurrence. Many individuals suspected of being members of Communist groups have also suspiciously been arrested for carrying arms and explosives in the dead of night. The fact that the illegal possession of explosives elevates the offense to a non-bailable one and the issuance of warrants in times when no one could contest them raise so many questions on the appropriateness and the conduct of the consecutive arrests.
In our very own island of Negros, vigilante groups have been empowered to take the lives of known rights advocates and peasant leaders, armed with the list containing the names of those suspected to have links with subversive groups. It is sad that if there is anything which the government has continually inspired, it is the support for and engagement in violence and fear tactics. It is telling that one of the alleged minds behind the contentious Oplan Sauron, which claimed the lives of many peasant leaders and their families, is now the country's chief of police.
It seems that given the weight of our situation, it would take so much faith and resilience to welcome Christmas with joy and celebration. How can such an occasion bring with it the same happiness and cheer we expect it to bring every year? It appears to be impossible for this occasion to lift us up out of a year's worth of loss, fear, and disappointment.
Yet it is not impossible. In fact, it is in the darkest of times that the meaning of Christmas becomes even more pronounced. Let us remember the events that surrounded the birth of our Savior: like us, Joseph and Mary also lived in an environment of fear and uncertainty. They also had to be away from home and their loved ones to fulfill their duty as citizens. They also had to welcome the birth of Jesus in a place of poverty - a humble manger. They also had to suffer the threat of violence and death as King Herod ordered the massacre of the innocent.
One thing kept them going. One thing gave all the trials meaning, and have given Mary and Joseph the courage to do what is asked of them: The birth of Christ. In the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel: God with us." True enough, God was with them in every step of the way. Just as He is with us today.
It is not just possible to celebrate Christmas during these dark and troubled times, it is necessary. In doing so, we affirm that our joy and happiness is not dependent on things going our way, or on material things abounding, but on our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if we have to celebrate Jesus's birth the way Mother Mary and St. Joseph did -- away from home, in poverty, fleeing violence and death -- if we have him, we have everything.
This Season, I pray that everyone of us would be able to reflect on how, despite everything, God remained with us. This, I know, is enough for every person to have a merry and meaningful Christmas.