Michelle: At this time, I am sure many are giving, receiving and opening gifts. Maybe some are doing their last minute Christmas shopping. But I hope we really take the time to sit back and think not only of the material things that we will be getting or buying, but seriously think of what we want this Christmas and the incoming new year. For me, it’s world peace. Seriously. That is all I want for Christmas and for the years to come. But since world peace is impossible in this lifetime, I will settle for the safety and security of our children and a future that will be full of hope and hopefully, peace.
DJ: We now live in a world that consumes a steady diet of violence in super-sized servings. It’s also getting harder these days to feel the spirit of Christmas. And I am not talking about the lack of Christmas lights in the city streets. I’m talking about the seeming lack of connection to the true reason of the season. Christmas is about love. And I’m not talking about the type of love that inspires you to sing “last Christmas, I gave you my heart.” It’s still about giving rather than receiving. It’s still about being grateful. While times have changed, its essence remains.
M: There are some people who go about without a care in the world, thinking only about themselves, concerned only about what they want and how they can get it. Nothing wrong with posting what you got and what you hope to get for Christmas, but wouldn’t time be better spent on helping others or sharing what you have to those who need it most? There are many ways of sharing our blessings. Every year, I have my kids do a sort of “purging.” They have to give away toys that they do not play with anymore or are just kept inside the bins to make way for the new toys that they would invariably get from aunts, uncles, grandparents and godparents. This year, they packed three huge bags of toys which have been given away to kids who are just so happy to get even a second-hand toy. It is always good to share. If people are not greedy, there can be enough for everyone.
DJ: There are lots of ways to celebrate Christmas. Do something for others. We don’t have to go very far. Treat the janitors or the security personnel. Surprise your house help with his or her 13th month pay. Invite his or her family and share your Christmas dinner. Visit a sick person. Call someone you think is lonely and invite him or her for coffee. Roll down your windows and surprise a street vendor with food or a present. Smile at the person you meet or wish a stranger you share an elevator ride a happy holiday. Make the first move to reconcile with a friend or family regardless of whose fault it was. Sing Christmas carols to simply spread the season’s joy and not just to raise funds. Whatever our circumstances are, there’s always something to be thankful for. There’s always something we can share. Not just things. Our time is even more precious. It’s not happiness that makes a person grateful. It’s being grateful that makes a person happy.
M: The attitude of gratitude is important because it makes us aware that we have so much to be grateful for. Life may be difficult but it is during these trying and challenging times when our faith is tested and our hopes are crushed that we learn to trust, to forbear, to overcome and to keep on keeping on. I wish that we don’t only wish for nice things this Christmas, for ourselves or for our loved ones. We should pray and work unceasingly for our world to become a better place for all. It is always said that nothing is impossible with God. As one of my favorite prayer goes: “Patient endurance will attain all things. Whoever possesses God will possess everything. God alone suffices.”
DJ: It’s Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. It’s about staying true to the story of love that started Christmas a long time ago in Bethlehem. Remember the reason for the season. Ponder on His great love story. Give. Share. Then you will truly have the warmest and most blessed Christmas ever! And hopefully, world peace.