To most of us, Christmas is the busiest time of the year. Everyone is busy preparing for the most awaited season. Houses are filled with decors, lanterns and Christmas trees; musical lights are turned on; even the street children change their “palimos po” into “Merry Christmas”.
Christmas had brought a great impact to the world as well as touches ordinary people. Sadly, many people are more preoccupied with the star of Bethlehem rather than the Bethlehem-born whom the star was leading.
This is the reason why despite our efforts to really enjoy the season, we often end up tired, bored and worried. More so when the celebration is over. Many of us often end the celebration by counting the expenses we incurred during the season, and worse, thinking of how to pay them off. When things are all over, there is always the feeling of letdown.
But not so with the shepherds that heard the Good News about Christ’s birth in Luke 2:17-20. After seeing the child, they went back praising and glorifying God for all that they had heard and seen. They kept on pondering in their hearts the things they have witnessed.
How come we don’t experience what the shepherds experienced? Why do we not glorify and praise God? Why are we not filled with joy?
The sad thing is the most of us celebrate Christmas without the celebrant. Our situation is similar to the story of the father who was to celebrate his 50th birthday.
It was the father’s 50th birthday so his family thought of throwing him a surprise party.
“I’ll cook your Daddy’s favorite dishes,” said the mother.
“I’ll clean the house,” volunteered the eldest son.
“I’ll take care of the decors,” followed the sister.
“I’ll make a special card for Daddy,” enthused the youngest child. So each of them went to attend to their own chores.
They were busy as bees when the father arrived from the office earlier than usual. But not one of them bothered to ask why. They were all too careful not to give him any hints. The man headed to the kitchen where his wife is busy cooking. He asked her for a glass of water but she didn’t want to be disturbed from work.
She said to her husband, “Can you just get it yourself? The ref is very near you anyway.”
The man went out of the kitchen with his glass of water and saw his eldest son cleaning the sala.
“Son, can you look for my slippers?” he requested. But the son was quick to reply.
“Let Jun do the searching, Dad. I can’t get myself out of this mess.”
The father turned around and he saw his daughter. He asked,
“Oh, were you able to make the phone calls I asked you to do? It’s very important that I get in touch with those people.” His daughter nodded her head,
“Don’t worry Dad. I will do it but not now please.”
As he made his way to his bedroom, he passed through the half-opened room of his youngest son Jun. he noticed that Jun quickly hid something inside when he saw him coming inside.
“How are you doing, Jun,” he greeted his son. “Would you like to tell Daddy what you did during the day?” jun shrugged his shoulders,
“Oh, nothing much. I think I’ll go out to play with my friends.” Then he quickly ran out of the room. The father then proceeded to his own room
Several hours later, it was time to pull out the surprise. The dinner is ready. The house is perfectly clean and decorated. Beside the cake stood a big colorful birthday card. Together, all four of them silently went to Daddy’s room. They knocked several times but nobody was answering so they opened the door themselves. “Surprise!” they all shouted together.
But it was not a pleasant surprise for all of them. For there in the room lay the birthday celebrant dead and cold. Apparently, he was not really feeling well so he decided to go home and just to be with his family. Sadly, they were all too busy to take time.
They found a note on top of the father’s desk that reads, “Even without anybody telling me, I know you are all busy preparing for my birthday. But my day would have been more special if all of you simply spent time with me.
12.04.2007 This is one of his comments: saturday at d... bagio..w8 kita..ok...misss you po...
Urgh! Stick it to my tongue! Too Cheezzyyy. Does he even know why we are going to Baguio. Can anybody please tell him. This is not the best time to "meet". Looking forward for the event, not when we meet??! Duh. Gladly, I'm still undecided...
