THE Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world, beginning from December 16 (the start of the Simbang Gabi) until the first Sunday after New Year’s Day, also known as Three Kings’ Day.
During these times, it is easy to get caught in the hoopla of advertisements on making this holiday more grand and fancy. But that was not the case, when this occasion originated in meager means thousands of years ago.
This time-tested tradition, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, has stayed with Filipinos wherever they are in the world. Such exuberant occasion is often marked with a bountiful feast on Christmas eve, and the shower of gifts the day after.
But most of all, this is the time to pray, give thanks for the year’s blessings and learn how to share them.
Unfortunately, to some of our kababayans, who survived the string of calamities that struck the country this year, this joyous season may just be a moment for silence and melancholy.
In his Christmas message, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle shared the story of a lady from Palo, Leyte, a survivor of the typhoon Haiyan that nearly destroyed the Visayan region last month.
“With the ruins around us, this would probably be the first time I would understand and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas,” the lady told Cardinal Tagle.
Tagle said while this answer may appear mysterious, it notes the central sign of Christmas, which is Jesus: “the humble baby in the manger who is truly the Son of God, God with us.”
While he told to include Christ in the celebration of Christmas, he urged everyone to “be transformed into signs of his coming.”
Tagle said this season calls for solidarity and communion with those who suffered the recent tragedies in the country, including the Zamboanga siege and Bohol earthquake.
“The survivors of recent disasters will teach us how to see the Child promised by God with fresh eyes of faith and hope,” Tagle said.
Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who recently visited Tacloban City reminded the international community to keep focus on this crisis and ramp up donations.
The diplomat also reiterated UN’s commitment to assist the country in its plan to rebuild typhoon-battered areas.
“Ravaging an area the size of Portugal, Yolanda inflicted $12.9 billion in damage and left 4.4 million people homeless. The Philippine government said it would need $8.17 billion over four years for a massive rebuilding effort,” the international described in its website after Ban Ki-moon’s visit.
The long-term recovery and reconstruction plan for Typhoon Haiyan may last until 2017. As soon as this is realized, the sooner can we achieve the goal—to help our kababayans get back on their feet.
If you’re to be truly merry this Christmas, you should adhere to the reason for the season. It is called the season of giving, after all and not getting.
This season is not just a cause for celebration. The birth of Christ is a symbol of salvation and hope. It is a reminder that just like the Person whose birthday we commemorate, we can help the world change for the better.
Our Visayan kababayans still need help. While we still keep our compassion for our brothers and sisters, let us also continue lend our hand (whenever and however we can) to these Pinoys who will be spending their Christmas homeless and in grief.