“During this holiest of all holy seasons, I would like to greet each and every member of the DepEd family ranging from our topmost officials, our people in the central office, our more than 700,000 teachers, our 25 million learners, and all Filipinos who love, who support, and who contribute to our programs, and who believe in our efforts to bring useful, relevant, and liberating education to our young people, as well as to our adults. Maligayang pasko, maayong pasko kaninyong tanan and may God bless us all!” – Sec. Leonor M. Briones
TRULY, there are a lot of things we can still celebrate Christmas despite the current situation where we are in the midst of uncertainty because of this pandemic that turned the world upsidedown.
It did not only completely change the way we do things but it also almost stopped us to do certain things, one of these is celebrating the most joyful celebration of the year and considered as the longest Christmas celebration in the world -- our country’s own celebration.
Clan reunions, family get together, hugs and kisses for family members only become complete during this season. These all need to give way to a simple, little family in a household festivity. This may seem awkward especially that our culture has never been like this sans Covid-19; it is only now as far as I remember in my long years of existence here on earth.
However, we remain steadfast and hopeful since we know and we believe that this too will pass. There will be a day of reckoning that will signal the end of all of these inconveniences and will free us from the bondage of this crippling dreaded pandemic.
We have passed close to nine months of community quarantine that regulate our movements and activities and if we were able to survive, there is no reason we cannot go further to experience the other side of this malady -- recovery and rebuilding.
Let us remain focused on what is good and the reason for this season -- the birth of our Savior, the redeemer of our sinfulness Who remains true to His promise of reserving a room for us in His Kingdom with God our Father. Let us always do good and detest evil for basically, we are created naturally good.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2021 to all!