A LONG holiday weekend awaits all of us as we celebrate Christmas.
As we near the end of the year that has truly been a roller-coaster ride for Filipinos brought about by the ugly presidential campaign to the rousing triumph of long-time Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte; the all-out war against drugs that has left human rights advocates crying foul for alleged extra-judicial killings; Senator Leila De Lima's ongoing verbal tussle with the President, her repeated denial against any involvement with the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison and publicized alleged affairs with her former driver and or bodyguard; traffic problems that continue to pester not just Manila and Cebu commuters but those in Davao City as well; ongoing peace talks with the National Democratic Front; and the Abu Sayyaf's unrelenting terror and kidnapping activities, among others, may we not forget to take a break and reflect.
Who doesn't need a Christmas break? Everybody else does, including the President. But Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo said the President will not be having a Christmas break as he will still have gift-giving activities for cancer patients and other underprivileged sectors on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
He is such a workaholic and dedicated public servant just like our nurses and doctors as well as police forces and soldiers who may not even get to spend Christmas Day with their loved ones to care for the sick and keep the country's peace and order.
Nevertheless, take a break whenever you can. If only to give one's self a breather from the rigors of every day life. But most importantly, reflect on God's gift to mankind - Jesus, the reason for this season.
It's a time to rejoice for every good thing we have in Christ. A time to be thankful for the people who made your life worth living. The best time to get rid of hate, blame and anger. Instead, put on love, the very reason why Jesus has to be born and be man himself so he could relate to us and vice versa.
After all, love is free. A priceless yet precious gift.
Merry Christmas to all!