Three Years of Christmas Blessings | 2010

Christmas is a time to be jolly and bright. The problem is, when you are spending Christmas far away from home. We were so used to Christmas eve as the night we all walk to church and celebrate the birth of Christ with families and sometimes even friends that we meet along the way. Then off we go home, eating puto bumbong while walking back (walking is faster due to the traffic). Then Christmas dinner with ham and salad and whatever it is that is shared at the dining table. Let's not forget the gifts that we receive after the small feast.


All that changed when we came to live in this foreign land. In as much as we want it to be like the old days (getting gifts at 30 years old was kind of fun), the absence of family really takes a lot out of Christmas. But that wouldn't really stop us from celebrating what it's all about. So we don't get to walk to church together as family, but at least we have prayer time together. We don't get to eat puto bumbong anymore, but there's still cake and there still is a small feast. Alas, gift giving is not a big affair (with only the three of us), but it's a great moment nonetheless, especially for Jakjak.

It's not about the gifts, or so we would like to believe. But happiness and prosperity are gifts that cannot be measured tangibly. And they are given and received without anyone really noticing. The blessings that we had received over the last three Christmases was all worth the smiles and the thank yous. It has been a tremendous gift for myself, Judy and of course, Jakjak. All of these, we thank our Lord God for. All these blessings, not just this Christmas, but all throughout the years. Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday, Jesus!