My Christmas wish
Christmas has been so very special for most of us. We think of it as the holiday of all holidays that we even prepare months ahead to put up those lights and decorations at home. Many also ready themselves for Christmas in the most fashionable ways with things, and outfits in order to look their best at the parties they will attend. Others just simply want to gastronomically hop from one party to the other to feast on the best food being served on the occasion or to await the best present he will receive from a generous friend or relative. Christmas is so special a celebration that it is always synonymous to fanfare and socials, to gift-giving and gift-getting, to shopping, food and wine.
The Holidays also excite businesses being the best time of the year to make the most money. In this case, Christmas is associated with bonuses and spending, and a brisk gain for the entrepreneur and it’s but just right that we celebrate it with a big bang and generous spending because we’re supposed to be merry and to give the “bestest” break for ourselves after a year’s long and arduous grind.
While we deserved to be merry along with its gaieties and revelry what most of us miss to include in our celebration are people who wish that Christmas would never come at all. People who dread Christmas because this is the time that they are most alone, and forgotten by their loved ones. While we celebrate Christmas with thanksgiving for all the blessings we received this year, there are still countless others who cannot celebrate Christmas in thanksgiving because they could not think of any blessing that they received except for the air they breathe whole year round. One street-dweller that I interviewed some years ago even longed to die before Christmas because he could not stand the thought of having to spend Christmas with his family in the shanties with nothing but cold shoulders from people who lavishly feast at Christmas time with cold cuts.
Another thing that is also sorely missed at this time of the year is Jesus himself. We do exactly know the reason he was sent forth – which is for the salvation of man and we remember and rejoice his nativity with excitement. But I believe it’s really worth revisiting the message of His coming other than the gift of redemption for mankind. The gift of redemption, to my mind, is only a result of His love – and selflessness. That’s why I said it’s a gift. Love begets many wonderful things if we have it in our hearts.
Maybe we should think if we ever need to celebrate Christmas in such grandiose fashion and reflect on its true essence. If God had made himself as a gift through Jesus, why can’t we be just a real gift to others? To be there for those who really need the most attention. To be a blessing to others when we have had enough of it this year? And most of all, why can’t we be a gift to our Maker? To be in loving friendship with Him being the source of all goodness, love and blessing.
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I would like to wish all the readers of this column a meaningful Christmas. May you be blessed not only with good things but also the happiness you deserve with your loved ones.
Special mention to my patient editor, Joefel Ortega Banzon and to the entire Freeman-Philippine Star Family for giving me this space for the last 15 years. To my colleagues in business who have put their faith in what I believe to be right and beneficial for our clients. To my family who have been with me through thick and thin, my brothers and sisters, and to my relatives.
I wish to also humbly ask forgiveness to people I have hurt, one way or another. And may next year be a year of plenty and meaningful business and personal relations ahead.
A blissful and meaningful Christmas to all of you.
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