Christmas Brings Out The Best of Human Spirits

By: Joe Mauricio

 

There are as many traditions for Christmas as there are those who observe it, but the common thread is the time spent with loved ones. The sights and smells that evoke Christmas past, and the warmth and hope that come from random acts of goodwill.

This holiday is a welcome break for a year ending with so much violence, political and economic uncertainty at home, and misery and terrorism abroad. It is a reminder, too, of the enduring power that Christmas has in bringing out the best of human spirits.

There is an ache in our nation’s conversations that hasn’t gone away, like the impeachment hearing of the current president, the trade war with China, the southern border wall, etc. And, due to these events, millions are unprepared to make the day merry.

But Christmas is a moment to reset the clock. It is time to appreciate the richness of life and those who are here and who have gone to contribute to it.

The new year and its challenges will come soon enough. Somewhere there is a child in need of clothing, a senior who needs a helping hand to pay her utility bills, and for friends and loved ones, the simple gift of time. This is the time for reacquainting with family and friends, faith, and the treasured Filipino traditions.

Christmas will be gone before you know it, and there is no pleasure today like adding more to the memories.

If anything, this Christmas comes at a perfect moment for self-reflection as the nation faces a new chapter in history, and as the world looks to America as much as ever to help restore moral order, our common identity and the character we bring to global affairs.

That bond is easier to see in the holiday glow on our neighborhood streets. It is a great launching point to be reminded that the human spirit is an expansive thing, that others are fuller and more giving than they might appear.

The best of this is brought out in the spirit of giving, in the hope that we see and the goodwill that we show our fellowmen.

This is an enduring holiday because the going on and optimism that it brings is something to hold, share, and help pass to the next generation.

Maligayang Pasko sa lahat! Merry Christmas to all! From the Via Times Family.