The Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing!"
I used to sing this with so much candor and a building excitement within me as I await the Christmas season. That was years ago when things were simpler in my eyes. Of course, who wouldn't look forward to a season of so much happiness and cheer. It is the only part of the year when our ninongs and ninangs are obliged to wrap up something nice for us to be awed at. Whether it is a very plain dress or a simple toy, the thought of receiving a gift brings so much joy to my young and innocent heart. In addition to that, Christmas is the only time of the year when everything my tastebuds have been craving for all year are present right there on our dining table. Christmas was definitely a season to look forward to.
That was then. I'm not saying Christmas is hideous for me now. I'm not saying I don't look forward to it. But, things are a little different. The world is bigger, and responsibilities are wider.
Christmas is still the season of love and giving, but this time, it is my turn to give. It is not that I hate giving. The chance to give something to someone is heartwarming for me. It does not matter what that something is as long as I am pretty sure that the person I'm giving it to will find use of it, I feel a sense of fulfillment.
What I don't like about gift-giving during Christmas is how it tends to become a duty and a responsibility that has to be carried out. Instead of being an innate desire to share, it has become an output of the desire to please and act out of what is expected. I am a ninang to five kids, four of whom I have actually carried and prayed for during their baptism. With the other one, my name was just included in the list of godparents without my knowledge since I was not able to attend the ceremony. Now that the holidays are fast approaching, I am constantly bothered by the responsibility to give them something wrapped for Christmas. I just feel bad that instead of feeling the desire to give and share, I am wrapped in a sense of responsibility that I need to give.
Genuine giving is with open hands, arms and hearts and not an act of duty one has to perform to please someone else.
Despite all that;
Merry Christmas, everyone!
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