I recently read an article in OpinYon 8 about a Christmas tree display in Capoocan, Leyte that immediately earned the ridicule of netizens due to its “minimalist” style.
Actually, “minimalist” seems more like an understatement.
According to the article, the tree was labeled as “bagat kalansay,” as it was nothing more than a bare conical steel frame with some Christmas lights attached.
Meanwhile, here in Laguna province, some local government units (LGUs) are caught in a dilemma when it comes to Christmas displays.
To do lavish Christmas displays as what the public had been used to before the pandemic would instantly court criticism from a populace that is finally fed up with widespread, unfettered corruption.
“Aksaya lang ng pera ‘yan! Bakit di na lang ginastos sa pamamahagi ng Pamaskong Handog?” would be the cynical response of those who believe extravagance should not have a place in public governance and that LGUs should empathize with victims of recent calamities.
Yet a simple Christmas display (even though not going into the extreme as the “kalansay” Christmas tree of Capoocan) is also bound to draw the ire of those who believe Christmas is a time to let off steam, relax and have fun after a year of tribulations.
The surefire criticism would be, “Pinatay naman ninyo ang diwa ng Pasko!”
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But wait a minute, before we begin to nitpick on Christmas displays and Pamaskong Handog and such, let’s ask ourselves first: ano bang diwa ng Pasko ang gusto nating makita?
People who think Christmas rests on lavish displays and extravagant gifts seem to have forgotten the real meaning of Christmas: unselfishness and humility.
Everyone knows that the message of “unselfishness” Christmas brought – that of God the Father, sending his only begotten Son to save humanity from sin and death.
But what about the humility part?
Lest we forget, God, in his infinite wisdom, power and majesty, sent his Son as a human being, born to humble parents, in the manger at a stable “as there was no more room at the inn.”
Imagine that! The greatest wonder of Christmas: God humbling himself and renouncing his Godly qualities, becoming like us and one of us so that ALL of us will be saved – not just one group, or one person, but ALL of mankind.
Christmas, unfortunately, has become the perfect venue for some of us to become “hambog,” bragging about the “blessings” we have received during the year, while at the same eye turning a blind eye to those who need our help the most.
It is in this backdrop of humility – not to mention the growing public rage over corruption in governance – that we should all ask ourselves: do our Christmas “displays” reflect the true meaning of Christmas?
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonColumn
#UnCommonSense