Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Dinner) is served and the satisfied stomachs are as full as it can ever today. The unexplainable "I'm-stuffed-to-my-neck" facial expressions of the ones who ate the dinner was already a grateful notion to the ones who prepared the yummy goodies today. Let us not forget to thank them for braving the notorious job at diligently preparing the food for us.
Used gift boxes and crumpled gift wrappers filled the trash bags up to the last draw. Unwrapped gifts are now revealed to their recipients. Delightful smiles are evident from the gifts theyr received. Some people are even more delighted as expected like my brother LA, who leaped and jumped, as he found out we got him the gift we wanted after pretending to not hear his obvious hints on what was on his wish list all these weeks.
But what awe does "Santa's" presence brings? It's so wondeful to witness the happy giggles of my nephew Ichad and niece Ischa upon discovering that just like last year, "Santa and Mrs. Clause" were able to sneak in loads of gifts and money for them. And that the irony of this is that they are still wondering how "Santa" passed through the window's zeal and dropped off a present right next to them as they took a quick nap before the midnight dinner. Wow! What a miracle "Santa" really brings!
But beyond the gifts received and the tasty dinner treats and the children's puzzled inquiries of Santa's uncomprehensive capablities are the unfortunate brothers and sisters of ours who are not able to shed meaning to Christmas because of poverty, because of sickness, because of homesickness. Let us not forget them and share our little blessings this holiday season. For the meaning of Christmas is not just receiving but sharing...especially to the ones who are really in need. One deed brings a million dollar smile and for me, that's what matters. In return, one will be bless in multiple folds. For me, that's good enough.
On my way home from a late last minute shopping from Beverly Center today, an old weary looking with a long white beard and filthy street clothes stood three cars away from me as the stopped light turned red. I watched how he wandered from car to car leading towards me. One car gave one dollar bill. The other car gave spare change. He seemed very grateful for that. By the time he was near my car, the red stopped light now turned to a green and it meant, I had to go.
Perplexed of what to do, I was confronted whether I should proceed and go and ignore the pity faced old man as he srtuggled to even walk steady on the road or actually stop and ignore the buzzling horns of the traffic behind me. I then remembered that Thanksgiving some years passed when I and my best friend Maff drove pass two little kids who were at a corner of a gas station with a huge marker embellished plackard stating that they just need money for food to eat for Thanksgiving since they have not eaten for days because tehy ran away from home.
Maffi and I just came from Yoshinoya then with oour purchased food items. Prior to that, we were really starvign because we did some "unintentional" shopping spree. Staring at the sad big blue eyes of these kids, Maff and I looked at each other and felt a heartwarming pity for these kids. Maff and I agreed that we'll give them some bills and also decided to give them the purchased hot food we just bought eventhough out stomachs were grawling from starvation. The pity took over us and we ended going home to Maff's parents house and eat there instead.
So, going back, the old man stared at me and I looked at him. I could hear the annoying car horns as I was overwhelmed with the noisy sounds of "beep, beep!!!" from behind me. I signalled to my right and pointed to the man to go on the curb on the right where we weren't blockign traffic or pedestrians. I counted the left money on my bag ( I rarely carry cash) and I think I only had ten single dollar bills left. I grabbed it quickly and opened my window enthusiastically as he approached my baby blue colored car.
"Merry Christmas!, " I said firmly as he came and he smiled. I dropped the stash of ten dollar bills on his paper cup. Surprise and stunned, he stared at it for what seemed like five minutes or so. "Ma'm this is too much for me. But if you want to give it wholeheartedly, then I would appreciate it.Thank you. I can buy me and my dog some food for tonight and perhaps, for the next coming days," he uttered. I smiled again. I chose not to say anything. "Have a Merry Christmas!," was all I can reply to. "Thank you, ma'm. May the Lord bless you multiple folds!," he notioned with such gratefulness and grace.I signalled tot he left . And I drove off. I drove off with a happy feeling.
As I approached my bed now, I am once again thinking of that old man, I hope he has a warm bed to sleep in tonight. I hope he was able to buy some food for himself and his dog. I also satrted thinking of those two kids Maffi and I met a few years back. I pray that their parents provide for them so they won' t have to be on the streets asking money for food or whatever.
I realized, I am very fortunate to have all the simple delights of life. Sometimes, I take it forgranted. This Christmas, I learned to give once again. Not just to give colorful gifts to your close lovedones and friends. But I learned how to give my spirit of Christmas and the gift of hope to someone who seemed unhappy for the coming ofChrist. So, I challenge you, not just today but for the coming years, let yourself give and share your blessings. The rewards are unexplainable. But I tell you, it's really good for the heart.
Lt us remember the true reason os this season. When God gave us his greatest gift of all whom he gave to save us all from our own shortcomings in the person of Jesus Christ. Let us repent, let us ask for forgiveness. Let us also share and rememeber the true meaning of Christmas through HIM.
Merry Christmas everyone.
posted by pinay freestyle @ 3:30 AM
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