Why I love Christmas
By Heidi M. Pascual
For Christians all over the world, the birthday of Jesus Christ – regardless of whether or not it’s December 25th – is the
happiest moment to celebrate. It is the birth of mankind’s Savior – the son of God destined to deliver us all from eternal
destruction and the fires of hell.
But more than what’s written and what we believe in, Christmas brings love, happiness, and peace. It’s when families
gather to enjoy each other’s company and fill their homes with love. It’s when our spiritual self towers over the physical
being, and the good emerges triumphant. It’s when I reflect on life more deeply and assess my performance based on
how I related with other human beings during the year. Personally speaking, there is nothing commercial about it, and
that’s why I love Christmas.
In my youth, I had always waited with extraordinary anticipation the arrival of Christmas. The reason: it was the only time
of the year when I get new clothes and shoes and sometimes, toys. Little things that make children happy. My reasons
changed as I grew older. I realized later that it was more important to give away new clothes and shoes and toys to make
others – especially the needy – happy.
One evening, I was watching on TV “Itanong Mo Kay Soriano” (Ask Soriano), a religious talk show whose preacher, Eli
Soriano, answers questions from people all over the world about their faith or lack of it, and he always answers with a
supporting verse/verses from the Bible. The episode featured a young atheist who questioned the existence of Christ
himself and the veracity of the Bible’s contents. He also stressed the "falsehoods" being preached by Soriano and other
Christian religious preachers as he talked about evolution and science disproving the existence of God. What struck me
most was not the data being presented (for we had learned about theories of the world’s creation and its living things
from school), but the apparent disrespect of this young man to Eli Soriano and others like him. The young man’s
Facebook blog was shown, which disparaged the preacher, calling him unprintable names. I was telling myself, this is
so un-Filipino. The young man didn’t apologize at all for such rudeness, and he continued his attack on air –against
Soriano and his God, until the preacher calmly put a stop to it, as no agreement could ever be in sight.
I feel sad that some people deny themselves the joy that we Christians feel in our hearts, especially during this
Christmas Season. I feel sorry for folks who think their brains are mightier than the "fools" who believe in God. Their
spirits must have deserted their bodies, for shells without essence are not a good place to call home.
Even then, I stopped and said a prayer for this young man. As a Christian Catholic (who sometimes questions my church’
s actions in the past), I believe that God looks kindly on people like this young man. Like the prodigal son story, the father
forgives and welcomes his wayward son. But the son repented and asked for forgiveness. This young man didn’t and I
don’t expect him to, perhaps for many years to come or ever.
We are entitled to our own beliefs. We have the freedom to think and be committed to what we believe in. But freedom
comes with responsibility. We are responsible that our actions do not hurt others’ freedoms. That is the essence of a
good society. That is the essence of my belief.
And Christmas is the season for forgiveness. My spirit embraces this young man, with love and understanding. My heart
is full of hope for folks like him. If Jesus Christ were here, I am sure He would do the same thing. He would not cast a
stone. Never.
Every night since Dec. 15th, carolers -- mostly children -- sing their best Filipino and English Christmas songs all over
the neighborhood. I had prepared for this since the start of the year: saving one-peso and up coins to give away during
the Christmas season. The children's faces lighten up whenever they receive their coins, and my heart fills with joy each
time. Nothing can beat that special feeling.
Oh, how I love Christmas!
For Christians all over the world, the birthday of Jesus Christ – regardless of whether or not it’s December 25th – is the
happiest moment to celebrate. It is the birth of mankind’s Savior – the son of God destined to deliver us all from eternal
destruction and the fires of hell.
But more than what’s written and what we believe in, Christmas brings love, happiness, and peace. It’s when families
gather to enjoy each other’s company and fill their homes with love. It’s when our spiritual self towers over the physical
being, and the good emerges triumphant. It’s when I reflect on life more deeply and assess my performance based on
how I related with other human beings during the year. Personally speaking, there is nothing commercial about it, and
that’s why I love Christmas.
In my youth, I had always waited with extraordinary anticipation the arrival of Christmas. The reason: it was the only time
of the year when I get new clothes and shoes and sometimes, toys. Little things that make children happy. My reasons
changed as I grew older. I realized later that it was more important to give away new clothes and shoes and toys to make
others – especially the needy – happy.
One evening, I was watching on TV “Itanong Mo Kay Soriano” (Ask Soriano), a religious talk show whose preacher, Eli
Soriano, answers questions from people all over the world about their faith or lack of it, and he always answers with a
supporting verse/verses from the Bible. The episode featured a young atheist who questioned the existence of Christ
himself and the veracity of the Bible’s contents. He also stressed the "falsehoods" being preached by Soriano and other
Christian religious preachers as he talked about evolution and science disproving the existence of God. What struck me
most was not the data being presented (for we had learned about theories of the world’s creation and its living things
from school), but the apparent disrespect of this young man to Eli Soriano and others like him. The young man’s
Facebook blog was shown, which disparaged the preacher, calling him unprintable names. I was telling myself, this is
so un-Filipino. The young man didn’t apologize at all for such rudeness, and he continued his attack on air –against
Soriano and his God, until the preacher calmly put a stop to it, as no agreement could ever be in sight.
I feel sad that some people deny themselves the joy that we Christians feel in our hearts, especially during this
Christmas Season. I feel sorry for folks who think their brains are mightier than the "fools" who believe in God. Their
spirits must have deserted their bodies, for shells without essence are not a good place to call home.
Even then, I stopped and said a prayer for this young man. As a Christian Catholic (who sometimes questions my church’
s actions in the past), I believe that God looks kindly on people like this young man. Like the prodigal son story, the father
forgives and welcomes his wayward son. But the son repented and asked for forgiveness. This young man didn’t and I
don’t expect him to, perhaps for many years to come or ever.
We are entitled to our own beliefs. We have the freedom to think and be committed to what we believe in. But freedom
comes with responsibility. We are responsible that our actions do not hurt others’ freedoms. That is the essence of a
good society. That is the essence of my belief.
And Christmas is the season for forgiveness. My spirit embraces this young man, with love and understanding. My heart
is full of hope for folks like him. If Jesus Christ were here, I am sure He would do the same thing. He would not cast a
stone. Never.
Every night since Dec. 15th, carolers -- mostly children -- sing their best Filipino and English Christmas songs all over
the neighborhood. I had prepared for this since the start of the year: saving one-peso and up coins to give away during
the Christmas season. The children's faces lighten up whenever they receive their coins, and my heart fills with joy each
time. Nothing can beat that special feeling.
Oh, how I love Christmas!