Christmas 2008

Ahh…..it’s that time of the year again!

It’s true, it’s my favorite time of the year. Always was, always will be.

Better than summer vacation, or Valentine’s Day or even my own birthday!

In the Philippines, you know that Christmas is just around the corner, when you hear the Ray Coniff Christmas carols or “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by the Jackson Five on the radio or the metro train as soon as the first day of September arrives.

Christmas seasons have been so wonderful in my life I can’t help feel nostalgic this time of the year.

Especially those from my generation…I mean who could ever forget the bright Christmas lights of the traditional parol (decorative Christmas star) often made of bamboo sticks and Japanese paper or cellophane, the simple toys (no portable Playstations or X-Boxes then), the puto bumbong and bibingka (native delicacies), street children singing carols at your doorsteps, the toys, the family get-togethers, Santa Claus, the pop-up chocolate boxes of Goya, (did I already mention the toys?), and of course, the cherished yearly puppet/mannequin thematic display at the C.O.D. Department Store in Cubao, Quezon City. Memories that kind of want you to be a child of 10 again.

Now, as a father of four, I see the same sparkle in the eyes of my children. The landmarks may have changed, some traditions forgotten and the toys more complicated and expensive. But the growing anticipation, the determination to see Santa on Christmas’ eve (only to fall prey to sleepiness and exhaustion) is still there.

Which reminds me, I actually succeeded where others have failed. You see, when I was I think in junior or senior high school, I didn’t fall asleep like my briothers and sister. Santa got sloppy and I heard him enter our room with the sound of his plastic (yup, it was plastic!) bag of gifts. I didn’t open my eyes so technically, I didn’t see him. At any rate, I don’t intend to divulge Santa’s identity to anyone reading my blog posts so Santa can continue to relax in his North Pole residence.

Some say Christmas is only for the kids. In a sense that may be true. Not because of the rampant commercialism or the secular culture that have clouded the true meaning of Christmas.

Christ remains to be the reason for the season!

And only through a child’s pure and humble eyes can we see, understand, accept and enter His heavenly kingdom. Truly, one has to have the heart of a child to enjoy Christmas!

My wish for everyone is that they never lose such child-like sight of this joyous season!

A merry and meaningful Christmas to everyone!