"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Take Christmas, for example. This event is generally an important occasion for most families in the Philippines. It is a time for reunions, gift-giving, and feasts. Christmas is a time of giving-an antidote to human selfishness. God exemplified genuine giving when He gave His son to die for the unworthy people on earth. Such gift can never be paid! Such is the message of the birth of Christ. Giving is also a tangible expression of love. When people share in making others happy through gift-giving without expecting anything in return, they develop benevolence and concern-a worthy investment. Christmas is a time for reflection.
This December, let us balance the pendulum of life by celebrating Christmas amidst merriness and laughter. Laughter serves as a temporary break from the normal routine of work, competition, and stress. It is an expression of accomplishment, survival, and belonging. Laughter of accomplishment is necessary int he pursuit of meaning in family life. Accomplishment is more of personal satisfaction in adding color to the overall portrait of human living. Laughter of survival is an echo of the struggle between good and evil. At Christmas, we either celebrate the blessings of life or the woes of a cruel society. Running the race of existence demands not only stamina and determination but the attitude of joy in the sound of laughter. Belonging can't be concealed at Christmas. Finding our places amid people who accept and love us brings security. After all, the year is not complete without passing through the festivity of Christmas.
Christmas is too costly if we fail to accept forgiveness for our sins. It is too costly if we refuse to accept the forgiveness of others. Christmas is the time for peace and goodwill. There is no room for bitterness at Christmas. Christmas means giving up the stubborn attitudes. It is a time to reexamine ourselves in the light of the Christ of Christmas and the Christ of the cross. It is too costly if we do not manifest peace and goodwill to all. As we come to the season of goodwill, as we use our means to share with our loved ones and friends, let's remember the real cost of Christmas. It is only in this that we will find true meaning in our giving and true joy in all our celebrations.
Christmas brings hope and good cheer. Christmas is a time to love. It's a season when people forget about the evil done against them. The essence of Christmas to sojourn in our hearts is the best thing about Christmas. The spirit of giving, understanding, unconditional love, selflessness, and forgiveness should dwell in our celebration of Christ's birth. These virtues should inspire us not just during the season but all year round. The good thing about Christmas indeed is the tranquility that comes with forgiveness and acceptance. It's an opportunity for us to love, without counting the cost, by letting go of our own selfish and vested interests. As time that we extended ourselves to others and give as much as we could, and thus it's the time that we also receive so much. We feel happy because we know that we did something good and made someone else happy. Feeling good-and doing-what Christmas is all about-remind us of who we truly are, deep down inside. There's beauty in each one, and it shines most brightly during Christmas.
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