How many of us remember a friend who is sick and lying on bed tonight?
How many of us think that other people have nothing to prepare in their cooking pot for the night to celebrate, "Nochebuena( a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve)?"
How manyare suffering from the coldness of the night and the dusty wind in the daytime because they have no home to shelter them at any hour?
How manybeggars are on the streets asking for alms so they can feed their family when they get back home?
How many sons, husbands, uncles, fathers who are Soldiersbut came home with a cold (dead) body, fighting for their country and fellowmen because of war?
How many are suffering from so much pain for losing a family, relatives, friends and even their houses, in the recent tragedy(Storm,Ondoy) caused by the wrath of nature?
How many have adopted a child just for the day to feel that Christmas is for everyone and not just for the rich and famous who have everything to spend or being popular? Have we ever thought of all these? I still have lots of questions about, "How many...?" but its seems endless to list it down.
"How many?" is such a simple question, but hard to give a satisfying answer. I ask it here because I want to share this feeling. I feel I have so much to do, and so many things to fulfill. And every year when Christmas season came, I feel I have done little in my life to help or remember those people who are in need. Not necessary financial or material gifts but most of all, the word called," Time." Then I started asking myself...
Did I ever have much time to be with my family in times when they needed me most? Did I ever have time to visit my friend who is sick or has a problem and what she needs is just a little amount of my time to share her burden? Maybe I did, yes, maybe...but not always.
Then, I remember a friend I visited one time to bring a gift from another friend. She was busy caring a six year old child who lost his way home. He'd been with my friend's house for a week and still nobody claimed him. My friend got worried because he got sick. He has a fever and was lying on bed for being too weak to move. He can even hardly remember the name of his mom and dad or where he live. My friend reported him to the proper authority but they wanted her to care for him until his parent will come to get him. She became the instant mother of another child, the way she cared for him you will mistakenly think, that she is the mother . She bought him medicine and massage him to make him feel comfortable. She can even hardly sleep worrying what may happen to the boy and the rest was history.
Seeing howmuch timeand care she spent for the boy, made me proud of her. I think of her as a wonderful woman for showing love and care and not expecting any monetary replacement even she spent something for him. She doesn't need to be rich and famous to do some task needed at that moment. Despite her being an ordinary mom, she give a meaningful gift for the boy this Christmas- the gift of love and care.
Yes, itsChristmas time again, and how many of us have done an important task to make Christmas a more meaningful one this year?
How many of us have shared a helping hand, joy, love and sympathy for the needy?
How many of us think of those people I mentioned above while enjoying Christmas eve with lots of goodies on our table, while others have little or none at all?
And when I think of Christmas its not just about decorating Christmas trees, buying gifts, caroling or partying. Christmas is all about love, sharing and caring. But love yourself as you love others not just for this Yuletide season but in all seasons and for many reasons. Remember, God sent His only begotten Sonas a gift to mankind. He came to Earth and be the sacrificial lamb to pay for our sin (John 1:29). But He didn't demand any payment at all! And that's the greatest and the best gift of all- the gift of LOVE!
How about you? Do you have gift for Him, to yourself and your fellowmen?
I may not have the greatest gift to give like the Life of my Creator but I have the best gift of love too to share and care!
Merry Christmas and advance Happy and Prosperous New Year always!
