TODAY being Christmas, what is there to talk about but Christmas?
To all of us in Christendom, we rejoice as we celebrate today the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
That is Christmas: Remembering the One who authored our salvation.
Any word on this from Pope Francis, the Vatican voice of God?
I am optimistic he’ll shower us once more with another fresh view of the Savior’s birthday.
The Pope has always been like that: Oozing with wads of wisdom at every topic he chooses to delve into.
To be honest, I consider him as good a speaker, a writer, as Jesus Christ. His words are worth a gold each. And to think he is already 83 (December 17).
But please forgive me if I try to inflict unto you my own humble take of Christmas?
Since I hit the age of reason some decades back, I never veered away from my original definition of Christmas: Love.
“It’s only love, and that is all,” sang the Beatles.
That is all. As simple as that.
In short, a Christmas without love is not a Christmas.
Love can be demonstrated in many ways.
First, love everyone you meet, whether friend or foe.
I’m sure you don’t do that all the time. But this Christmas, try it. The power of spirit will engulf you.
Smile at anyone. Your smile means love.
Shake hands with friend or stranger alike.
That’s love.
We’ve been partying perhaps a lot these past days, nights.
Did we greet each guest, “Merry Christmas?”
When in a party, and you are seated as a guest arrives, stand up and persevere to meet that guest.
If you know the guest, extend your hand, and say, “Merry Christmas,” and then make beso-beso.
If you don’t know the guest from Adam, still, extend your hand and say, “Merry Christmas.”
You will feel 10 feet tall while returning to your seat.
Everywhere, anywhere, whether in the city or in the boondocks, never get tired giving.
Isn’t giving love?
Add “for” in giving and you have “forgiving,” the ultimate expression of love.
Humbly, I do my bit of giving, forgiving, as much as I can.
In washrooms or parking lots, even if it’s not Christmas, I try my best to hand out a little “something” to the janitor or the one that keeps an eye on my car.
Ah, yes, those beggars tapping our car window—they multiply every Christmas—they also deserve our love.
They are breaking the law and we break the law, too, if we give alms.
But what the heck. The law of love is more powerful than the law of men.
I believe in the saying, “Love till it hurts.”
To practice that is adhering to the truest test of love.
When you give but there’s more to give, go on, give pa more.
If there’s but one peso left in your pocket, give it to a brother in need.
That is in keeping with the essence of the Bible: Love one another.
Love more those who hurt you than those who love you.
That is forgiving, period.
For, how can there be love if we can’t forgive?
I have not stopped forgiving since I learned the meaning of love from way back.
It is only in forgiving that we can really express the meaning of love this season of seasons.
Merry Christmas!
THAT’S IT If we haven’t forgiven those who had done us wrong, then Christmas isn’t with us—yet.