General Admission
Again, what is Christmas?
By Al S. Mendoza
THE Good Book tells us of a poor woman going to church one morning.
While there, what did she do to merit God’s undivided attention?
Well, first, she prayed fervently for Dear God to make her neighbors continue a life of security and happiness, free from disease and want.
Also, she wished that her neighbors would love God all the more, that they give praise and thanks to God at all times.
It should be added that she never asked anything from God, never requested any favor on her behalf.
Never once did she say, “God make me happy always, make me healthy always, make me live with my table filled with food always.”
In short, she implored for God’s mercy on behalf of others, but never on herself.
When it was time to offer something to the church, the woman dug deep into her purse.
She found ten pesos.
That was all she had.
She gave it all.
The Good Book says: “I tell you, what that woman gave the church was more than what the wealthiest persons gave the church that day.”
Thus, to repeat:
She offered all her prayers to Dear God for the welfare of others.
She gave all the money she had in the name of Dear God.
You talk of what Christmas is, there you have it.
You give to others without strings attached.
Isn’t that Christmas?
You give all your money to those in need without regard of how to pay for your next meal.
Isn’t that Christmas?
You give prayers without asking for prayers to come to you, too.
Isn’t that Christmas?
In a classroom one day, the teacher tells her students: “Define Christmas.”
“Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, our Dear Lord,” says one student.
“Christmas is peace on earth,” says another.
“Christmas is more of giving than receiving,” says yet another.
The teacher breaks a smile on her lips.
“Very good,” she says. “Let’s hear from the others, please?”
Pedro: “Christmas is forgiving.”
Maria: “Christmas is loving.”
Pablo: “Christmas is queso de bola on media noche.”
Juan: “Christmas is going to church on Christmas Eve.”
Miguel: “Christmas is a new pair of Nike.”
Pio: “Christmas is hugging my enemy.”
Antonio: “Christmas is apologizing.”
Pepe: “Christmas is a Transformer toy.”
Pilar: “Christmas is a Barbie Doll.”
Teacher: “All very good.”
Indeed, Christmas is the season that takes many shapes and sizes, many reasons and even treasons (wasn’t the Pearl Harbor bombing in December treason?).
Everyone’s entitled to his/her definition of Christmas. But mine is this: Christmas is to live for others every single day of the year.
A tough act to follow, I must say.
But, as I always love to say, the causes worth dying for are the lost causes.
Merry Christmas!
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