Around the world, the celebration of Christmas Day 2022 will be defined by tradition and change.
After two years of muted Christmas activities, people have brought back everything about Christmas as we celebrated it before the pandemic. In the past weeks, despite the rising prices of fuel, food and gift items, people have crowded shopping malls, met with family and friends in restaurants, participated in church activities like the Simbang Gabi, and brought back the joyous feeling that comes with the season.
The endearing quality of Christmas and how just being in this moment brings joy, lives on because love, kindness and generosity always find their way to people’s hearts during this season. So, too, forgiveness and patience, which come easy today – simply because it’s Christmas Day.
These were the values preached by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, whose birth we celebrate today. The Bible verse often repeated during the season reminds us that Jesus is God’s most precious gift to mankind: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
Especially on Christmas Day, all these values – love, kindness, generosity, forgiveness – live on to inspire an abundance of blessings that spreads joy. There is joy in being together with loved ones; joy in receiving gifts because it warms the heart that you are special; and much joy in sharing one’s blessings to others.
Christmas is the day of many blessings, many of which are inspired by tradition.
To many, this is the day when tradition leads family members home to deliver the blessing of togetherness. They gather for Holy Mass, sit around the table for a meal, and share history to keep the custom of gift giving.
Today, one would be truly blessed to be part of a complete family who can gather physically for a Christmas meal. How can anyone forget the past two Christmas Days when family members gathered only through internet apps and technology because of the restrictions to movement, and because prudence dictated that those who worked outside the home kept away from those who stayed home?
As we enjoy the blessings we receive today, let us also count the blessings that brought us here – good health, family and friends, our jobs. Many more people now realize that we have to spend time to take care of the body because that leads to good health. Having family and friends are the pillars of strength.
And, a job is a blessing not only because it puts food on the table, it lifts the spirit and boosts mental health.
But the blessing that one may be privileged to have today is to be a blessing to others. To share one’s blessings, or to reach out to a friend, neighbor, or stranger who is in need – there are a thousand ways to spread the joy of Christmas Day.
And if you find yourself in that position, be grateful! You have been chosen to pass on the tradition of Christmas through love and kindness.
We wish you a Merry Christmas! May you be blessed with abundance, joy, and the constant company of loved ones.