Happy Holidays, everyone! Merry Christmas to You All! Maligayang Pasko sa Inyong Lahat! Naimbag a Paskuayo Amin! Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! Fröliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noël!
As Advent is winding down (now it's the fourth and last week before Christmas Day), I have these questions for you, my dear folks and friends, and me: Aren't we already into the holiday mood, with all the Christmas decorations, the glitters of silver and gold everywhere we go these days? Can we say with confidence that we're now prepared to welcome Him once again, with open arms and a loving heart, the One who is yet to come, the only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Lord? How ready are we for the joyful celebration of His coming again into our lives? Those are the questions only you and I can answer.
A different Christmas this time? What do you mean, you ask? Yes, I'm definitely sure that it's a different Christmas this time, for me. I've already made up my mind that it's different this time. You see, over the past or previous years, I've been very good at decking the halls or decorating the house, trying to look good and please others. What, no more interest this time? No motivation, eh? I don't mean to say that I don't celebrate Christmas anymore. I do. But in a more meaningful, spiritual way, I think so. Now, this time, my Advent is focused on myself and my renewal of my Faith. This is my take, my perspective with regards to Christmas preparation. It's me personally that needs preparation. As a sinner, I strive to be a saint someday trying to do good, to live my life that is, I believe, more pleasing to our God the Almighty Father. My gift to Jesus when He comes again is myself bearing in mind the Beatitudes.
This is just me now, my dear folks and friends. Frankly speaking, I'm not really that interested into the commercialism of Christmas this time. Although I try my best to practice alms/gift-giving, I don't expect anything in return. Yes, I'd rather give than to receive now and always. I'm trying to live a simple life but it's hard to imagine when you're surrounded by a lot of clutters, etc. I don't have a need for more of this, more of that stuff, clothes to wear, anything that are mere decorations to my physical body.
What, a different Christmas this time? How come? As you know, I've realized that there's more to life than focusing on material things or wealth. And we know that we have only one life to live, that life is short and fleeting. I can enjoy life in varied ways, not in extravagant or luxurious ways, but in simple living. I, personally, am contented in having what I have, and not what I don't have. You know what I have? I have Jesus, my inspiration in life! He's all that matters to me nowadays. Don't get me wrong; my family and folks and friends matter to me, too. But, my Brother Jesus takes precedence over others. That's just me now.
This time, I'm on Christmas getaway, far away from my residence to a place that, to me, is a little laid back or country, in a way. Yes, I'm celebrating my Christmas simply, with Freny and Tintin, in D-ville! I just want to experience that different feeling of Christmas, reminiscent of my past in which there is this kind of innocence, patience and perseverance but with a sense of humility and simplicity, you know. (BTW, as I started writing this blog post, I've been listening to my Christmas carols, children singing Christmas songs with that kind of joy, passion and innocence, recalling by childhood days when my friends and young relatives and I went caroling from house to house way back in the Philippines. What a feeling of nostalgia, especially this Christmas season!
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and be safe and have a blessed day, everyone! (It's getting late and, I know, I should have been in bed by now, and getting ready and excited for tomorrow's Sunday Mass which I'm looking forward to it. (Thank God, I'm alive and well. I'm grateful that I have my faith, family, folks, and friends everywhere who share some of my views, I believe.) As always, I pray, "may God bless us all!" Before I forget, please help me pray for the victims and the families and those affected by last week's school shooting in Connecticut. Likewise, please help me pray for Fr. Luke Suarez and Msgr. Bob Weiss of St. Rose of Lima parish, in Newtown, Connecticut that they continue to have the courage and strength to spread the Good News of salvation to all the parishioners there. Thank you. God bless and keep them always! On the other hand, let's keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS! Again, I wish you all the best this Christmas and the coming New Year! Vivat Jesus!-chris a. quilpa, 22Dec2012
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