IT’S THE SMALL THINGS

I write this on the eve of Christmas eve. As I think about and ponder over what sparks Christmas in my life, I realized that it ended up filtering down to my senses. The sights and sounds of Christmas; the tastes and smells of the holidays, and of course, more literally though, what feels like the most special time of the year. I feel like at a time like this, we have found it in ourselves to appreciate Christmas even more. For one, it gives us reason to be happy and to find the silver linings amidst all the hardships and trials the year has brought. And while Typhoon Odette has bore a hole in our holiday, as its wrath has left many lives destructed, destroyed and distraught, the bayanihan spirit of our kababayans both in the Philippines and abroad has left a warm and overwhelming feeling – amidst a dark time, a sense of hopefulness has emerged. These are the biggest tests of faith, and the smallest things we must never take for granted for as long as we live.

The first four senses are perhaps more menial and shallow. Nonetheless, they must not be dismissed given the immense joy it is capable of giving us. When I think about the sights of Christmas, I think about parols, Christmas trees and lights that line the streets. I think about pretty gift wrappers, ribbons, and poinsettias all abloom. And then that is when I can hear in my head the gregarious tunes of Christmas carols that do not fail to put a smile on my face. I can smell the bibingka and puto bungbong freshly cooking right after Misa de Gallo. I can taste the Noche Buena feast I grew up with and am accustomed to. These to me will always give the comfort and joy that Christmas brings about. But it really is only the icing on the cake, because what matters most is who we spend it with.

As the famous saying goes: “It is not what is under the tree that matters, but who are around it.” Christmas to me will always mean family. And there is no comfort greater than being able to spend it with them, and those who matter most – especially after being away from them for months on end. The feeling is priceless and indescribable. And knowing especially now that there are so many who would give anything to be in my position, but are hindered by travel bans, cancelled flights, and many other factors, being able to wake up around them everyday for the past two weeks, and on Christmas morning is truly the greatest blessing this season has brought me. Knowing that everything fell into place, and that all my prayers manifested to make it all happen is more than enough, and the greatest gift I could have asked for. And so when I think of Christmas feels, as much as a cozy sweater and the heat of a fire place when celebrated in a cold country brings me comfort, the real Christmas feels are brought about by matters of the heart. At the end of the day, a happy, content and peaceful heart is more than what we can only hope for these days. It is a the greatest of blessings amidst of time of greater uncertainty.

So from ours to yours, here are wishes for the most meaningful of Christmases. May it be spent in whatever way you have hoped and prayed for. May any hiccups that may have transpired along the way awaken you to the real reasons and realities of this world. May we learn to accept them as learnings, and then embrace these as blessings from here on forth. Maligayang Pasko, and may we always remember the reason for the season, and He who made it most special.