The true meaning of Christmas

Since it is Christmas, we will deviate from our regular commentary to give our readers a brief respite from the hustle and bustle of Philippine politics. Instead, we will ponder what this season is all about. 

In a few days, the preparation for the feast, including the gift buying, food planning, and Christmas parties will come to an end. We are almost certain that almost everybody will pig out and drink with friends and loved ones.

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

But do we really understand the true meaning of Christmas? What do we do a day after celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are we back to business as usual?

Now that we’re facing an election year, shall we see the continuation of the bitter wrangling and conflict among national and provincial political figures facing opposite sides of an electoral contest?

Here in Manila, we were very fortunate not to have felt the onslaught of nature’s fury.

But what about the victims of Typhoon Nona? Last week, Nona swamped the provinces of Northern Samar, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and the Central Luzon and Bicol regions.

Data show that more than 1.2 million people had been affected by the typhoon.

According to the Philippine Red Cross, more than 156,000 houses had been damaged, forcing more than 10,700 people to stay in 70 evacuation centers.

Initial damage to agriculture reached P154 million while the value of infrastructure destroyed or damaged was placed at P51 million, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Surely, Christmas will be hardly felt in these areas that were devastated by the calamity.

We hope that even after Christmas we will be able to sustain the outpouring of help and support from charitable people and institutions willing to lend a helping hand to the devastated barangays in the affected provinces.

As a yearly Christmas practice, let me share with you a valuable lesson taught to me by the late Salvador “Ka Sonny” Escudero III, former representative of the first district of the province of Sorsogon. Ka Sonny, who passed away several years ago, was one of our co-anchors in our radio program, Karambola.

Tatay, as he was fondly called by his family and people close to him, believed the true meaning of Christmas was not found in the outward manifestations of this most blessed event in our Christian life.

Ka Sonny gently reminded us that the spirit of Christmas was not limited to Christmas day alone. He said Christmas was a yearlong affair.

A song that became popular during an earlier time was the most eloquent expression of Ka Sonny’s philosophy. Google Bing Crosby’s or Frank Sinatra’s “The Secret of Christmas” on the Internet and you’ll see what I mean. I believe you’ll come across it also on YouTube.

It was Ka Sonny’s favorite Christmas song and we always played it on the air every Christmas season. The lyrics of the song are as follows:

Oh, It’s not the glow you feel, when snow appears. 

It’s not the Christmas card, you’ve sent for years. 

Not the joyful sound, when sleigh bells ring, 

Or the merry songs the children sing. 

The little gift you send on Christmas day, 

Will not bring back a friend you turned away. 

So may we suggest the secret of Christmas, 

It’s not the things you do at Christmas time, 

But the Christmas things you do all year through. 

This song acquires a deeper meaning as we ponder the suffering of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters. Sharing our blessings should not just be confined to the Christmas season. Selflessness, thoughtfulness, love and forgiveness are values that should be practiced all year round.

A Blessed Christmas to everyone.