The onset of the novena masses heralds the Christmas season. There is a lot of excitement in the air. The upbeat melody of Christmas carols also lends to this feeling of anticipation. Homes are bedecked with decorations and lights of various sizes and colors.
It has been said that Christmas is the busiest season of the year. Everyone is lost in a flurry of preparations: shopping to do, gifts to prepare, friends to visit, parties to attend to. Department stores and supermarkets are full with shoppers. Who said Filipinos have no money to spend? Don’t dare to come to Divisoria these days. You will surely get lost (hopefully not get trampled) in the sea of people looking for the best bargains.
When I see throng of people going here and there, lost in thought (perhaps thinking what to buy for whom, and how to stretch the budget to the limit), without seeing anything, the words of Blessed Alberione come to mind: “where will this humanity of people go? Will it be saved or will it be lost forever?”
The hustle and bustle of preparation akin to the celebration of Christmas may distract us to the very reason of the festivities. It is essential to bear in mind that Christ is the very reason why there is Christmas. It is him we celebrate. He should be at the center of it all. We decorate our homes because we want to welcome him in a happy atmosphere. We give gifts to show our love just as Jesus has given himself as a gift to us. Spiritually we prepare ourselves to welcome him in our hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment