CHRISTMAS WITHOUT THE PERIPHERALS

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Let me be a party pooper as you prepare for your next Christmas affair. 

You've by now prettified your house, bedecked your Christmas tree with tinsels, balls, flowers and ribbons. Maybe even invaded Divisoria or Rustan's -- depending on your budget -- to make sure you didn't miss anyone in your Christmas gift list. 

And not to forget the parties! What food to prepare. The presents. What fineries to wear. For half a dozen parties, reunions and nights out. 

Just listing all the above made me woozy. Does Christmas have to be this stressful? I ask that every Christmas time. And someone always reminds me: 

"It stimulates the economy -- all this buying and selling."

"Life would be a complete bore if we didn't have this long holiday of feel-good carols, partying, niceties and gift-giving."  

How about answering this question: Is it good for your soul? A definite, "Yes!"

Delete the stress, Christmas is a must! Christmas celebration as we've all been accustomed to may be demanding, frenzied and tiring, but it is all up to us to ferret out the diamond from the rough. 

Go ahead, shop, party and relish all the puto-bumbong, bibingka, castanas and jamon served before you. I enjoy every bit of these even if my doctor scolds me later for laryngeal over-use and heightened cholesterol, sugar and triglyceride levels. 

And because you may have received your bonus and have some extra cash, bless your loved ones and others in need. 

But remember that all these are just the garnishings of Christmas.

If by chance any of these peripherals could not be served, Christmas remains to be the most important event for anyone and for humankind.

Think of our kababayans who lost their loved ones and material possessions to the recent typhoon and last year's typhoon Yolanda. Consider the poorest nations of Africa who don't even have access to clean water, good nutrition and decent medical care because their leaders have abandoned them. 

We don't even need to go far. Metro Manila teems with poor people living in shanties and boxes for their shelter under bridges. 

Jesus came that the those living in darkness may see the light (Matthew 4:6). 

One way or the other, we are all in darkness -- beset not only by material lack but emptiness of the soul. Hopelessness, addiction of some form, lust, greed, selfishness -- the list is endless. Statistics have proven that the most number of suicides occur during this season, especially in rich countries! So the tinsels and trimmings don't make for gladness.

Jesus knew precisely what we needed: Immanuel, meaning God with us! Sin has separated us from Him. So He gave us Jesus. Confess Him as our Savior and Lord and He starts to take residence in our minute-by-minute existence. 

He's not after being celebrated as a pageant king only at Christmas time or holy week or just on Sundays. He wants to be our Resident Physician, Teacher, Provider, Strength, Peace, Grace, Mercy and whatever else you need to fill your empty life with, 24/7.

Isaiah 9:6 -- "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

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Luke 2:13-14 -- Angels appeared with a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 

Christmas is all about God's peace to those who please Him. Wouldn't He be pleased if we received Jesus as our most cherished gift? With or without the peripherals, CHRISTmas won't just be merry, but joyful. 

Have a merry Christmas! Remember, Christ is the reason for the season.