The spirit of Christmas

In 1880 E. W. Benson, Anglican Bishop of Truno, England composed a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, based on ancient sources for Christmas Eve. In 1918 it was adapted for chapel at King’s College, Cambridge. The Nine Lessons have been customarily used as an advent service – a prelude to the Christmas season. Since the 1920’s the Brent School Baguio Community has observed this tradition every first Sunday of December and what made this year special for me is that I have been privileged to take part in it.

I have heard a lot of people complain year in and year out the same familiar words, “I can’t even feel the spirit of Christmas this year….” But the moment I entered the chapel and the flaming red poinsettias adored the wall background of the chapel, you could sense the spirit of Christmas right there in that place.

The songs were inspiring. The choir magnificent. The orchestra made up of Brent students played very well and the crowd loved it. Robert Kuwan of St. Luke’s Medical Center better half Yvonne Kuwan tells me that the event just keeps on improving every year. They attend the activity yearly.

As song after song depicts the birth of the Savior something about the life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow came into my mind.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was filled with sorrow at the tragic death of his wife in a fire in 1861. The Civil War broke out that same year, and it seemed this was an additional punishment. Two years later, Longfellow was again saddened to hear that his own son had been seriously wounded as a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac.

Sitting down to his desk, one Christmas Day, he heard the church bells ringing, and ringing. It was in this setting he wrote:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,

God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, goodwill to men. 

Here is one person who does not care whether he can “Feel” the “Spirit of Christmas” or not.

Here is the great poet who understands what Christmas is all about.

Most business people I know celebrate Christmas by measuring this year’s sales against last year.

Young people measure Christmas by the amount of gifts they will be getting.

Entrepreneurs heave a heavy sigh measuring Christmas by the 13th month and bonuses they need to shelve out.

And then again there are people who get seriously depressed during Christmas.

The loss of a loved one. A job taken away. Families far from home.

And with “Jack Frost roasting on an open fire…” in the background, the heart sinks into depths of loneliness. Allow me to encourage you. At this Christmas time whether you are in sorrow or in joy you can know that God is not dead, nor does he sleep. He knows your every need and longs to comfort you and be that special friend you need.

There will never be a “Spirit of Christmas” without the Presence of the Savior in one’s heart. This is why those who have an intimate and personal relationship with the Celebrant HAVE the spirit of Christmas all year long.

I’m not a theologian (God help us!) and neither am I a philosopher but one thing I do know is this, when man tries his best to reach out for God (and he never will…) the process becomes a religion. But when God in His infinite mercy and grace reaches out for man…now that is called Christmas. Seek Him this year. He will give life real meaning and your heart real peace, the peace that passes all understanding. For after all He is called the Prince of Peace. A Blessed Christmas to one and all.

(Send me your feedback and write me: franciskong @businessmatters.org. You can also listen to my radio program “Business Matters” aired 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily over 98.7 dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch’, the classical music station.)