The many faces of Christmas

WELLNEWS

Victor Dumaguing MD

September yet, things are already looking a lot like Christmas. Among other things, both worthwhile and trivial, the Philippines has the dubious reputation as having the longest celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, beating even staunch Catholic countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, the South American nations , and even the most Catholic- in terms of percentage population, Ireland. Indeed the bouncy rhythm of Jingle Bells, Joy to the World and probably the most-sung Filipino carol, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit. dominate the air lanes of radio and television.
    A sociologist-teacher in my Premed once told our class that Filipinos look forward to a " ber" month, still quite far from Christmas month, as another time to be hopeful, to entertain possibilities that for all their cares and woes in the past few months , would be significantly reduced as the real Christmas season draws near. Indeed, the sound of those carols plus the sudden burst of bright colors of red, yellow, greens and gold, mesmerize as well as energize the sagging thoughts of the Filipino, whatever is their status in life.
    Christmas 2022, in all likelihood is very different from immediate past two years because of Covid 19 scare with all it’s prohibitive, protective and preventive health protocols The onslaught of typhoons Maring, Karding, and yes, that Paeng, left  many homeless, hungry , sick and orphaned, has made an impact on the Filipino mind, so much so that, from compassion to empathy to love, every Filipino celebrated Christmas in a subdued manner, and for many, even voluntarily gave up, funds for a lavish party just to send it to their disaster-stricken fellowmen. 
    For sure, memories are still very fresh, and the reality is that there may be empty seats at the Christmas table, empty hearts grieving the loss of a loved one. And as grief and sorrow put a hole in one's heart, we can fill that void by sharing what we have with those who have nothing or have less in life. Indeed, life goes on! Here is Christmas 2022
    After all, Christmas is the merriest and happiest season of the year, no thanks to Rosal, who for  a while, threatened to be a kill-joy or spoilsport for all our preparations to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Thanks God, the towering Christmas trees, whose branches were bedecked with blinking LED lights and decors, may just dance the twist and the boogie with Rosal. Our collective prayers minimized the potential fury of Rosal, who initially roared like a hungry tiger at the tip of Batanes, so that as our Pagasa assured everyone, Rosal exited with a gentle soft meow.
    Christmas won’t be Christmas without the family gatherings- be it a reunion of members of a clan, high school or college reuinions, which send many to their favorite cosmetic surgeons before the event- and obviously, the table would be groaning carrying the hefty weight of mouth-watering food, name it, even the simplest Filipino household has a number of delicacies- complete with soup, sald, entree or main dish and , sweetness-galore- all those sinful pastries, cookies, bibingka, hot chocolate, puto bongbong- which would send your diabetes doctor convulsing in exasperation at your lack of self-control.
    On a more serious note, churches of various religious faith admonish their followers to avoid falling victim to frantic consumerism. Admittedly, all of us, young and old, rich and poor, are caught in the flurry of activities of shopping, and more shopping, and engaging in gluttonous parties in between, with the traffic jams adding to the stress. All of a sudden, every mall announces their biggest sales ever, which make some inveterate shoppers going on a shopping spree, silently wishing they have more than two hands. Admittedly, and sadly, this feverish pace of activity and the desire to accumulate material things has drowned out the true meaning of Christmas.
    But then, life gives us choices. A choice to celebrate Christmas in the most extravagant, colorful  and lavish way, or the opportunity to show to all and sundry that the spirit of Christmas is still very much alive even with the most basic, simple, almost spartan manner. of celebration. Let us not forget, that there is no greater happiness than family togetherness. And   what's' a better time to share, to care and show our love and more importantly, our forgiveness for hurts and misdeeds, this Christmas.
    So whatever your cares, your worries, your longings and desires of your heart, offer them to the good Lord for their solutions and remedies, and don’t forget to whisper a simple word of thanks. And therefore, from our office, clinic and home, as the song goes, “although it's been said, many times, many ways, a Blessed Merry Christmas to you!