FROM THE MARGINS Today, we return to work after all the Christmas shopping, gift-giving, parties and get-togethers. I am sure some are still feeling holiday hang-overs, while others are wishing that Christmas would last for just a little bit longer. But is Christmas over now that all the merry-making is done? I am reminded of this famous line from one of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved character: “Maybe Christmas,'he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!” the Grinch said in wonder. And there is, indeed more. For Christmas, ultimately, is about family. We all have one, and for as long as we do, we can keep Christmas, as the song goes, stay always in our hearts. A family story The Christmas story is a family story. By all accounts, the first Christmas was not easy for the Holy Family. Beginning from Jesus’ divine conception, Joseph and Mary’s difficult journey to Bethlehem, how there was no room for them at the inn and baby Jesus being born in a manger —they experienced many trials. But luckily, we have come to understand Christmas for what it truly is, as symbolized by the Nativity: it is a celebration of the miracle of Jesus’ conception, his humble birth, and God’s gift of hope and salvation. The Nativity is a reminder that family is important to us and to God. Jesus, Mary and Joseph show us the way: how to be unified in following God’s will; unified in serving one another; and unified in sacrifice and love. Reflecting on the Holy Family’s pattern of supporting each other through all of life’s highs and lows, the story of Vicente Cristobal really warms my heart. Vicente is a microfinance client who was recently recognized as a “Digital Champion” by the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Citi Foundation and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in the first-ever Digital Financial Inclusion Awards (DFIA) for microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions (MFIs). Vicente and his wife, Mary Ann, were once workers in a handicrafts factory in Capiz. They made lampshades and trays made of mother-of-pearl (capiz) shells, which are abundant in the province. In search of better opportunities, Vicente and Mary Ann migrated to Cavite in 1999. They started their own capiz handicrafts enterpriseusing their ₱7,000 savings as initial capital.The couple divided the work between the two of them: Mary Ann handled marketing and design, while Vicente took care of production. Since they did all the work, their production was very limited when they started the business. Fortunately, because of their skills, people liked their handicrafts, and they were able to roll out their capital. They manufactured trays, clocks, lamp shades, and other decorative items made out of capiz shells. Through time, the demand for their products increased. They became suppliers of capiz handicrafts to Kultura, a popular Filipino souvenir store at SM malls. Because they needed additional capital for their growing enterprise, Vicente joined an MFI in 2010. His first business loan was worth ₱4,000. As years passed, the couple grew their enterprise. Their children attended school, but when they became older, they also helped in making handicrafts. For years, Vicente sourced additional capital for the family business from his MFI, completing several loan cycles, the biggest of which was ₱150,000 in 2018.He was able to pay all these with the earnings from their business. Unfortunately, 2020 was a difficult year for the family. The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns devastated their business. Malls were closed, so Kultura stopped outsourcing their products for about a year. Because of the quarantine, the family had to stop production. Vicente became a Lalamove rider to support his family. He was forced to sell their delivery van to meet their daily needs and pay for his daughter’s school fees. When the quarantine restriction eased, the family began making handicrafts again. Initially, Mary Ann marketed their products using Facebook. Then, with their son’s help, they also opened online stores in Shopee and Lazada. Selling through digital platforms helped them bounce back. From zero sales and profit in the first half of 2020, their business gained 200-300 customers monthly. Going digital even reduced their operating expense by 30 percent and they were able to hire more workers. The family is very hopeful since their production is beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels.They plan to use the laptop and cash incentive they received as a DFIA awardee to improve their business. We can surpass Like Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Cristobal family met – and surpassed — many challenges. Through it all, they never lost hope. They supported each other, confident that for as long as they work together, all will be well. Christmas begs us to treasure and store moments of hope in our hearts for always. Life can be hard, but we can conquer all if we but remember the ripple effect of love that started in a manger and continues in all of us. Merry Christmas everyone! "Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." -Dr. Seuss (Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of 23 organizations that provide social development services to eight million economically-disadvantaged Filipinos and insure more than 27 million nationwide.)