It's Christmas season and gift-giving is upon us. More than the former, the latter is the real reason for the Christmas rush. People rush to the malls to buy presents. People rush to parties to give out these presents. Inaanaks rush to visit their ninongs and ninangs to receive presents. People rush to their hometowns to share their bounty for the year. Like Santa Claus, people rush to ensure that they are able to give presents to as many people as possible -- people who they should be thankful for but have neglected throughout the year. People use this one occasion to be remembered or to be relevant, and just as quickly as the Christmas spirit, fade away from each other's lives, only to resurface in twelve months.
Generosity should be an all-year-round virtue and not an occasion-based act. If people express gratitude and appreciation (whether through gifts, service, or words) as often as they should, there would be no need to cram gift-giving in that two-week period leading to Christmas day. If people remain present and involved in each other's lives throughout the year, there would be no need to attend all these reunions and parties for the sake of catching up or making their presence felt. People can avoid the rush if they focus on the real reason for the season -- remembering Jesus' birthday -- rather than on the justification for gift-giving.
Now Playing: Christmas In Our Hearts by Jose Mari Chan
No comments:
Post a Comment