To What Makes this Season Jolly

If I would describe Christmas in 3 words, it would be extravagant, bright, and cheery. Christmas is celebrated yearly on the 25th of December as a cultural and religious celebration among a lot of people, Filipinos included. Filipinos love to celebrate this season for as long as they can. The Christmas seasons start as soon as the “Ber” months draw closer. Houses and buildings are filled with twinkling lights and lanterns, streets are adorned with parols and are bustling with people from left to right with the carol songs playing in the background, kakanin like bibingka, puto bumbong, and Sapin-Sapin are often enjoyed by churchgoers after attending Simbang Gabi, and of course, Noche Buena where close friends and families gather and enjoy a very special, hearty Christmas dinner. This is what the typical Filipino Christmas is like, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christmas just got a whole new makeover. 

With our focus on the coronavirus, we are preoccupied with guidelines on how to celebrate Christmas this year– with only members of the family who are living in the same household allowed to celebrate together, observe social distancing, or wash our hands frequently. We are being discouraged from visiting one another for our mutual protection and safety. The usual Christmas glee and merriment that we have been accustomed to is not possible this year. But let this not dampen our merry moods as we celebrate this season, to what makes this season jolly? Let us remind ourselves of the birth of our Savior, the reason why we celebrate this festivity. 

This year has been difficult for all of us, but we cling to hope. That amidst all of the confusion and fear that the pandemic has brought, God is with us, has always been, and will always be with us. That the true essence of Christmas is not the lavish gifts and decors, the dazzling lights, and holiday feasts, but the presence of Christ Himself in our lives. May this season be the reason why we reunite, make amends, forgive, and reflect. Let us spread more hope, peace, joy, and love this season! 

Image Source: https://media.swncdn.com/via/5551-nativity-manger-christmas-lights-gettyimages-.jpg