In the Philippines, we celebrate Christmas unlike any other
place in the world. Beginning on the
month of September, Christmas songs are already in the air. The sweet carol
tunes awakens in our heart the spirit of Christmas. Christmas decors and light
are starting to glow in bright colors inside and outside the malls and
residences. Gift are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree. All of these
are signs of the great Joy that all of us celebrate during this special season.
As the typhoon Yolanda brought its wrath to our country, I
cannot help but to think how the victims would celebrate this joyous season. No
house to decorate. No food to partake
for the Noche Buena, and certainly no gift to exchange with one another. The
lingering pain of the tragedy enveloped the whole season. It will take months before everything will be
restored but the scar will certainly be imprinted in the heart of the
community.
We may wish to think about celebrating our Christmas in
solidarity with our brothers and sister affected by the typhoon. The nativity
of the fragile baby in a lowly manger reminds us about humility and the loving
generosity of God towards every human being. The Birth of Christ brought a new
hope for humanity. In this moment of
desolation of all the victims of “Yolanda”, we are invited to bring hope to our
brother and sister. Let us take this opportunity as a moment for us to relive
the true meaning of Christmas. The advent of Christ to this world is the sign
of Gods Great love to the world that concludes on the Cross.
Let us ignite a sign of hope for our brothers and sisters this
Christmas. Let us joyfully renounce our lavish parties, expensive and new
clothing, and excessive decoration as a sign of solidarity to all the victims. Let us celebrate Christmas with sense
sobriety and more mindful about the needs of our brothers and sister. Christmas will always be there even without
decoration or parties. Let help rebuilding the life of our brothers and sisters.
There are still numerous towns that until today did not receive any help. Let
us put our “Christmas light” in Leyte and Samar so that these glittering lights
become a new sign hope for the Filipino nation.
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