Written by Jennifer ILano

Keeping Christmas.

It’s over. No more wrapped gifts. No more Christmas trees; big and small, no more life sized manger displays. No more Christmas songs playing in church and on the radio, no more carolers, no more colorful and fancy lights and elegant uniquely themed decors, no more Christmas concerts and shows. No more Christmas food and drinks. No more rushing shoppers. Malls and shops are no longer crowded. No more long queues at the airport. No more overbooked flights for the holidays. No more train platforms; bus terminals teeming with passengers rushing home for Christmas. No more festive glow and smiles among people. There’s just no more Christmassy feeling in the air. It’s back to the grind. It is over.

Year after year it’s just the way it is. Three hundred and more days pass. Here in the Philippines we wait in eager anticipation until the ‘ber’ months come. After all it is believed that we do have the longest Christmas celebration in the world.

It’s not about the decors; it’s not about the presents. It’s about the spirit that goes with all the festivities, all the rushing and all the lights and trimmings. It’s about all the gleeful and joyful songs that fill the airwaves; that fill our hearts. Why can’t people be more giving and forgiving?  Why oh why?

Christmas is that time of year when we think more about others. We remember to give more of ourselves in so many different ways. It is that time when we listen more to our hearts. We speak benevolently and gather our kindest thoughts. There is that underlying tone of gladness and joyful noise amidst the humdrum of everyday drudgeries. We pay no attention to people’s mistakes. We even laugh at our own. We forgive. We forget. There is respect and common courtesy everywhere. There are wishes of hope and strength. There is magic. We cherish moments with our family and friends. Life is fleeting. We pause and reflect on how precious it is. We marvel on the beauty of God’s creations. We delight ourselves. We enjoy the simple things. We grow in faith, hope and love. We just live.

Yes Christmas is over. But let us all remember the true reason behind the celebration. The true essence when CHRIST was born; the reason we live.

So why can’t it be Christmas all year round? Perhaps it can still be. We can all keep Christmas — in our hearts for all time.