To All Our Readers, Best Wishes For The Christmas Season And 2014

Mario Bautista with Jane

JESUS CHRIST our Savior was born 2,000 years ago and the world was never the same. Some folks have made it very commercialized and equate Christmas with gifts, cash, rich food. But it is Jesus’ birth that is the true essence of Christmas and unless you feel this within you, there will be no real spirit of Christmas in you. Only outward manifestations and displays like the glittering tinsel trimmings in a mall or the lights in windows or on the Christmas tree.

I’d like to say the best thing to do at Christmastime is to fill yourself up with positive thoughts like unselfish love, gratitude for all the graces we receive, forgiveness, tolerance, charity, patience, respect, family reunions, sharing our blessings... but we live in a very materialistic world where greed reigns and happiness is equated with possessions, so I know it will fall mostly on deaf ears.

Personally, Christmas for me is a bittersweet thing. Now that I’m pushing 70, I’ve had so many Christmases in the past and the memories of times I’ve spent with family and friends have enlivened my Christmas celebrations through the years. So many people from my childhood and teen years are now gone. All my parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and a brother, have gone to the great beyond. Even friends with whom I treasured so many good moments. Including my dearest wife with whom I spent 31 wonderful Christmases as a married couple, certainly the best years of my life.

Those who are still alive are not here. I have a brother in L.A. and the cousins I grew up with are all in Washington DC. Four of my sisters are in Australia. We’re all part of the Filipino diaspora.

But there’s hope. My children and grandchildren are here. May mga umaalis. May mga dumarating din. And I’m so happy I’m in good terms even with my children in laws, and their own families of origin, my balaes. In the end, all is right with my world. I cannot ask for more, except for God to give me a little few more Christmases to look forward to. And so, as our Advent Journey nears its end this 2013, Maligayang Pasko sa lahat and may the coming new year 2014 be a truly happy, peaceful and productive year for all of us! My best wishes to everyone.