Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Consciously

When I was still a kid, one Sunday School lesson from church that stuck to my mind was about the word CHRISTMAS. The Pastor told us that “Christmas” was coined because it represents the birth of Jesus Christ. And it is sad that some people, who are always out to find short cuts in life, tend to cross out Christ in Christmas to make things easier. Thus the word XMAS came to be.

Now that I am grown up, I haven’t forgotten that simple yet powerful lesson. Indeed, why should we write Christmas as Xmas? To make writing the word easier? To help kids spell the word without any difficulties? I personally find that sad.

In this era of text messages using cellular phones, I inwardly cringe when I see Christmas greetings using the word Xmas. I am not judging you guys, mind you. And I am definitely not lecturing, nor trying to be pious. I am also a person with her own accepted foibles. It’s just that, I want to make others realize the significance of consciously putting Christ in Christmas. Yes it’s just a word, and yes it won’t probably make any great difference in the world’s overall situation. But wouldn’t it be great to have that feeling of utmost and deepest respect to the One who’s the “reason for the season” ... knowing that in the future, we’ll still be seeing the word Christmas during the Holidays? I fear that future generations will be too used to the spelling of Xmas that Christ might disappear in the celebrations. Now that would be scary.

Some of you might see this piece as something worthless. Maybe. But it’s what I stand for and what I believe in. Humor me and let me get this off my chest.

Enough of the musings ... let me just wish you all a very Happy Christmas and may you and your families have a Wonderful New Year ahead.

God bless!

Monday, December 13, 2004

Volunteers Needed

In case you'd like to share a little of your time through volunteer work, World Vision Philippines is still in need of volunteers for the next two weeks in the repacking of relief goods for the typhoon victims in Quezon province. They are very much lacking in manpower due to the huge volume of relief goods they are receiving.

Their office is open 24 hours. Please call 372-7777 if you need more information or visit www.worldvision.org.ph. World Vision is located in Quezon Avenue, just a little distance after the "kanto" of Roosevelt. Right side if you're coming from EDSA.

Thank you so much! Your help is greatly appreciated!

Monday, December 06, 2004

Late

It was only yesterday that I was able to put up the Christmas tree and lights in the living room. I wasn’t yet feeling very Christmassy the past couple of weeks, being swamped with work and having had not much time thinking about decorations.

To psyche myself and get me in the mood for decorating, I decided to buy a new set of decors and change the theme color of our Christmas tree, which for several years now, were the same old gold-colored balls and knickknacks my mom bought a long time ago. I went to the department store and decided on royal blue when my eyes fell upon cute silver ribbons decorated with blue stars and strands of blue string. Good thing there were tiny silver bells too with blue accents and royal blue balls of sizes just right for our Christmas tree. Of course I added a pack of Christmas lights with blue bulbs in the shopping cart.

So I went home, armed with my very first set of Christmas knickknacks. I haven’t felt the inclination to buy any these past years since my husband and I still can’t afford to have a house of our own. But the thought of accumulating different themed sets of different colored decors for variety every December cheered me up. By the time we get to have our dream house built, I just might have a complete selection of decorations.

Daniel helped me attach each piece on the tree. When we finished, he stepped a little way back and surveyed our handiwork. With fingers on his chin, my six-year-old gave his verdict “Beautiful!” Even my husband commented “Wow, great job mom!” when he came in after walking the dog outside. It’s always nice to receive complements of something you worked hard on.

Hmmm, now I’m thinking ... red would be a good color scheme for next year ...