Pasko na Naman!

As Christmas comes closer, we take time to refresh ourselves and enjoy the jollity that the season brings.  This is the moment where gates are open for building stronger relationships and thanking those who have always been there throughout the year to give their support to one’s daily walk.

Christmas is a peak business season for all businesses.  The business of trade, the business of faith, the business of family, the business of fortifying friendships.  Business here takes the definition of having an exchange for profit.

In trade, we can see that stores are overflowing with people, trying to wrap their affections, gratitude and whatever positive emotion they have in a box to show how they really feel or at least how they think.

Gifts overflow as manufacturers try to make different products with varied qualities to fit the capacity of the buyer to pay.  It is here that one must truly learn to appreciate the effort and the thought that is given to him or her.  A simple gift, no matter how inexpensive, if it is given with the heart, is better than an expensive one that is given out of turn or as part of a routine token.  Whatever the intention, if we talk of commerce, the wheels are definitely churning in this time of the year.

On the business of faith, it is actually, and supposedly the main business.  As some go through early misa de gallos others take time on their own to improve on their reflections and think of how blessed they have been to have a savior like Christ who has given his life for our beautiful place in heaven.  Christmas is really about His coming and hopefully, this part of the entire business of Christmas is never forgotten as faith is the foundation of all the celebration.

Families take time in this season to be together.  Extra effort is made to bring each member closer.  To mingle, have fun and talk more intimately.  Families stop their usual activities and consciously meet, share meals and their feelings for each other.  And I hope that as parents find more quality time to be with their children and with each other, that their children likewise do the same.  Families are not as permanent as we think they are.  Once the children marry or someone transfers to another place, it will take time before families can have a reunion again.   Christmas allows us this favor then, to be with our families.

Some of us only have the few days of Christmas to really meet up with friends.  I have a group of friends who consciously and committedly meet during the Christmas break.  In the business of their schedules on the regular days, they all thank God for Christmas because close as they may be at heart and spirit, it is only during Christmas that they get the time to meet as some of them no longer work in the same place and have to travel back.

Christmas is indeed a season of being together.  And as we frolic in the pleasure of our encounters, may we truly take time to thank Him who made all these possible.

Merry Christmas everyone!