Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

That beautiful song of Judy Garland in a poignant 1940’s movie reminds us of the important things in this season of gross commercialism, worldliness and self-centeredness.

When grave existential phenomena swirl around our daily reality, we tend to go back to a fetal position in order to fortify our surroundings. All at once, our world shrinks to essentials and our focus becomes clearest. That is, for those of us who are rooted in the right values; the rootless ones will wilt in the searing heat and perish.

So, our Christmas this year will most probably be with loved ones – with immediate family and some close friends. Whereas elaborate meal preparations took up time and efforts in the past, a lesser chunk will have been spent this Christmas for such “extravagance,” in lieu of meaningful sharing…of hilarious jokes, of amusing anecdotes, of familiar songs and more significant giving.

It is a verity that crisis bolsters faith. So will families pray together, more than ever, this Christmas. We pray for one another. We pray that this too shall pass. We pray with the trust that God will be there for us, for as long as we continue to call on Him.

Hence, may we have a merry little Christmas this year. Nothing glitzy, nothing over the top, nothing frothy and certainly nothing self-indulgent. It will be a respite – no matter how temporary – from the worldly worries that saddle our minds these days. It will be a little memorable slice of Christian tradition that gives value to our humanity, so that we must not “spend” Christmas, nor “observe” Christmas but have it always fresh in our hearts.

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

From now on, your troubles

Will be out of sight…

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be gay

From now on, your troubles

Will be miles away…”

May the smile of the Christ Child in the stark simplicity of the manger light our hearts this Christmas and ignite the spark of kindness that lies smoldering at the core of our beings.

Maayong Pasko kaninyong tanan! Hinaut unta nga magpadayon ang inyong pagkahamugaway ug pagkamadasigon sa umaabot nga Bag-ong Tuig. – Marlinda Angbetic Tan & the Lifestyle Editorial Staff