Today marks a birthday. A birthday of a special person, one which billions of people around the world celebrate. A savior, a messenger from the almighty to remind us about love, care, compassion and empathy. You do not have to be a Catholic or a Christian to celebrate Christmas as it is a season for love, joy and gift-giving. It is a reminder to all of us humans to step away from our monotonous and busy schedules and to appreciate what we have. For us to connect with our family and friends and to show some empathy towards anyone who crosses our paths. A simple greeting like “Merry Christmas” would brighten up someone’s day and we may never even realize the impact that these words may have.
For most of us, Christmas is the season of exchanging gifts and decorating our homes. It is that time of year when we all enjoy, regardless of age. From the mouth-watering food to the dazzling ornaments, from the joyful tears to the waves of laughter, Christmas is an occasion reminding us to live. The gifts under the trees, the cards in the mail and the turkey dinners, all signify the happiness and joy within us. While this is all fine, the true meaning of Christmas is not just blind celebration. Jesus Christ was a messenger from God to remind mankind that there is good within them. A wake-up call for the sinful people reminding them to engage in doing good and not just indulging in frivolous merriment.
There may be people who might not enjoy Christmas the way you do. For some, it is just sadness. They cannot afford the extra cost of a good meal or a gift for their loved ones. Some may have everything they need except for a family to share the festivities with. Christmas may not sound so “merry” to them.
This brings us to the real meaning of Christmas; to spread joy and love. A kind word, a simple greeting is all you need to spread joy. After all, it is about being grateful for what we have and giving what we can. Enjoy and be appreciative of the friends and family you have, the times you spend and the memories you make. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in such a manner so that God would be pleased with you. Change the way you spend this holiday and celebrate it in the way it was meant to be spent. In the end, the good deeds done, and their memories are all we take with us to the afterlife.
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
-Written by Rtr. Sachindra Mendis-
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