Christmas in its Truest Essence

Hearing Christmas carols being played on the radio, the alluring smell of puto bumbong and bibingka, enchanting façade of Christmas lanterns being displayed on all houses, are just some of the wonderful things we get to experience during the Yuletide season. Christmas is the liveliest time of the year when we hold parties, give and exchange gifts and have family or group reunion. It is also the most expensive season of the year because of the money we spend on decorating our homes, and on buying gifts and foods.

'It is the night of our dear Savior's birth'

Every year, we look forward to celebrating Christmas with our family and friends. To some, it is a time to shut down all work and rest or travel. To others, it is a time to visit people and have fun with those they haven’t seen in a long time. All these are great and they really make a colorful season.

“What is the essence of Christmas?” If I have to ask you this question, what would be your answer? What is the real meaning of Christmas to you personally? Is it the gifts that you will receive? Is it the thirteenth month pay? Is it the various parties you will be attending soon? Or is it the fun of going around and do shopping?

We celebrate the season to express our gratitude to God for fulfilling His promise that He made through the prophets, to send to us our Savior- the Messiah. The love of mankind is God’s reason for sending His only begotten Son to us. Jesus’ birth is God’s gift to us.

We emulate God’s gesture of kindness by also giving gifts on Christmas. The amount of gift that we give or receive doesn’t matter. What is important is that the act of giving and receiving comes from the heart. Your act expresses your love and appreciation to the person you deal with. Giving is even more admirable when the recipients are the poor- the people who really need our help.

Jesus is the essence of Christmas for maximum celebration. So, as we celebrate, we should remember that it is a time to appreciate God for sending His Son for us. Also, it’s a time to examine our stand with God and our relationship with Jesus. Furthermore, it is a time to share God’s goodness and the good news with others.

This photo was taken from last year's Christmas Eve

Therefore, as we eat, drink and make merry, let us not forget the essence of Christmas. An understanding of this reason behind the celebration will make it more fulfilling, peaceful and exciting for us. Merry Christmas to everyone!