Just a few days from now and the entire christendom shall be celebrating the birth of Christ – the true reason for the season. But if you will notice, the celebration of his birth is very much commercialized nowadays not only here in the Philippines but in some other parts of the world. Instead of giving emphasis to why He came to this earth, commercial establishments see and use it as a perfect time to sell all sorts of novelty items ranging from clothes, shoes, bags, jewelries and other stuffs like lanterns, curtains, bedding and many more with colorful designs that will attract buyers.
Not only that. Even hotels, restaurants, fast food chains and resorts are busy advertising innovation so they can entice visitors. Some are giving away freebies to customers depending on the chosen accommodation. Nowhere in the malls will one find the portrait of Christ as depicted to us by the church, instead we will see the picture of Santa Clause and his reindeers, the star of Bethlehem and all sizes and colors of Christmas trees wrapped with flamboyant lights.
Christmas season is very good for business because everybody, save the poorest of the poor, are spending money to buy new things. I see nothing wrong celebrating the birth of Christ with revelries, songs and extravagant foods because it boosts the economy though it shows a great divide between the rich and the poor. The pompous celebration of the rich during Christmas is totally opposed to the coming of the Lord in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.
I am not saying that we should wear rags and eat unpleasant bread. What I would like to impart is we should live a modest life and learn to share our blessings to the less fortunate because for me that is the true spirit of Christianity. Frowning upon the poor while living lavishly in comfort is atrocious and presumably a disgrace to humanity if not an abomination to the Lord.
I appreciate those who voluntarily set up pantries during the height of this pandemic to feed those who were trapped in their homes due to the lockdown imposed by the government and who subsequently lost their jobs. They showed the world that “giving and sharing is not seasonal” as contemplated by the people running St. Martin De Porres Kids Home at Brgy. Concepcion in San Pablo City. They are living exemplars of Christians whose works are worthy of emulation because they gladly share their time and skills to make the lives of abandoned and orphaned kids productive and useful every day of the year.
Because God is love, I guess love is the key to everything good and beautiful. As wisely stated in the old Filipino Christmas carol, “Ang pag-ibig pag s’yang naghari, araw-araw ay magiging pasko lagi.”
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
