Christmas and the family

Christmas, whether we like it or not, is upon us once again.

This year, the season comes at a time of global financial crisis with its ripple effect on overseas Filipinos and our local economy, and the national scene is pretty much in turmoil what with the growing pessimism about the country’s future and the people’s mounting disappointment over so much greed among our government leaders.

But we have also seen bad times, perhaps worst times, in the past and no matter how severe the situation had been, we have pulled through with celebrating Christmas one way or another. And this is because we have always found it in ourselves to go back to the very basic significance of this beautiful season.

The belens in Dagupan’s 31 barangays (and in other towns) is a good community project because it is a tangible and very visible reminder of that Christmas scene more than 2,000 years ago – Joseph, Mary and Jesus in a no-frills manger but a family as happy as can be.

And so even for our non-Catholic brethren, Christmas could still be meaningful in that the celebration is primarily about keeping the family together, strengthening bonds between members, and simply sharing ourselves with each other. In the Filipino culture of embracing extended family ties, the love and compassion easily stretches out to an even bigger community.

We should not allow tight finances to take away the cheer of Christmas from us. It should, in fact, help us re-assess our life values. An insatiable greed for material things is an enemy of a mind in peace and a heart that is in bliss.

Here’s to a meaningful and joyful Christmas to us all.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments