Families can keep the joys of Christmas alive
AS the world mulls, prays and celebrates Christmas, what should Christmas mean to families and to their governments amid wars and economic crisis?
During the Christmas season, the image of a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem is what Catholics and Christians all over the world remember as a joyous occasion. It touches every family regardless of their religious beliefs just like when a child is born to a family.
But what makes Christmas so special for the Christian world is, it is about Baby Jesus coming to life to fulfill a promise of salvation.
But while His birth is about hope and giving, about genuine love for God and neighbors, and forgiveness, about wishing a better life for others, how do our generation today relate to these meanings of Christmas when conflicts abound around the globe all because of power, greed, arrogance and pride.
Fighting continues in Ukraine, in Israel. Countries in Africa are suffering from hunger. In USA, hooliganism and indiscriminate killing is on the rise.
In the Philippines, churches and mosques are being attacked by militants and terrorists.
In Dagupan City alone, the city government finds itself embattled over the establishment of a Mother and Child Hospital, a would be modern site for the story of Nativity, all because the majority bloc in the city council sees it as the crux, as a cause for opportunity for political gain in whichever way that one can or cannot have.
Seeing all these, the only hope remaining to keep the spirit and joys of Christmas lies with individual families. Our families must seek to keep bonds tight and close and focus on celebrating the memories and gifts of sharing and love through the years.
Let us continue to greet each one genuinely at home, in offices and markets, in the streets and terminals, a hearty and joyous “Merry Christmas”!
It’s Jesus Christ’s birthday!
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