Christmas is upon us all!
Andy Williams’ song “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” has been playing in my head for the past couple of weeks already, and it looks like it will keep playing for a while longer, haha.
Yes, we have the most extended Christmas Season in the world. What, with it kicking off as early as September and ending all the way to the Feast of the Epiphany?
In fact, the festivities have been building up more during this time, especially when we’re a short two weeks away from Christmas Day.
I’ve already been to a handful of Christmas parties and have more to attend these coming days–with our company teams, the different organizations I’m a member of, friends, and relatives. What makes these parties special is that it’s the first time we could all celebrate face-to-face after two long years of socially distancing from one another.
Truly joyful!
Then since we’re in the discussion of why the Christmas Season this year is more memorable, let’s reflect on the different reasons we celebrate it.
As I’ve shared earlier, this season is filled with get-togethers, and people love attending those.
For others, it’s downtime and the opportunity to vacation from all the stress accumulated in the past eleven months.
Of course, as Catholics, we celebrate it because it is Jesus’ birthday, and it is the fulfillment of God’s promise of sending us His only begotten Son to save us from sin.
I then always joke with my boys, telling them it’s our Lord’s birthday, yet we’re the ones who receive gifts!
Truth be told, gift-giving has taken an enormous part in our Christmas celebration. Admit it or not, we all look forward to gift-giving. Of course, as we mature, the anticipation of receiving gifts shifts to the excitement (sometimes even pressure) of giving gifts.
Yet, the question is, have we ever reflected on the real significance of gifts?
I ask this because sometimes, sadly, out of our desire to please our friends, family, and, yes, including the business or social contacts we want to impress, we fall into the trap of thinking that the biggest and most expensive gifts are the best.
However, if we ponder on Christ and His coming, He is God’s gift to us, mankind, and He is the reason for the season, the gift to infinitely surpass all gifts.
Yet, He was born in a lowly manger with no feast nor King’s welcome to greet Him.
However, this simple, unadorned, and poor GIFT won for us our salvation 33 years later… the one thing that none of us could ever buy, not with all the money in the world.
So, what is a gift supposed to be?
There’s nothing wrong with saving up and getting nice things for our loved ones and those we value.
ALL gifts potentially hold value.
But, one guide question we may ask ourselves in considering gifts to give would be: What VALUE will it bring the receiver?
Will the gift bring them happiness but, for a short, fleeting moment, something very temporary? Or will it give them something of lasting value–e.g., Something that will strengthen their relationship with you, others, and God, or will it equip them to work towards a better life?
True gifts bring the receiver value that is more meaningful than any object money could ever purchase.
It should bring genuine joy and peace.
That’s why this yuletide season, we at Allora Manila join families worldwide in praying for gifts of real, lasting value to be shared in celebration of Jesus, our Savior’s birthday.
Merry Christmas!