down with the infectious spirit of Christmas.
I mean, Christmas is one of the most, if not the best of ’em all, magical seasons in the world. I mean, anywhere you go, you’ll spot a hint of Christmas, or at the very least, the holiday cheer or spirit in a person or groups of persons, from their very demeanor or conversation, or probably how colorful they dress. While I’d always highlight the first word which composes Christmas, I would always tell myself that, wow, Christmas 2019 was the most magical celebration I’ve ever had in my life. I never felt so happy on those days of the triduum.
Now all we could ever speak of is miserere, but that particular time, it was like the song, my favorite Christmas hymn, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” came to life right before my very eyes. Spending almost an hour of prayer before Him, then celebrating the great gathering that most sacred night, and followed by countless reunions and gatherings with the most beloved people gifted by the Man himself. All you could ever scream from the top of your lungs, is thanks be to God! but now, it’s so different.
This favorite song hit so differently, so badly when this pandemic happened. The world has changed, we all have changed. It’s so hard to sing, have yourself a merry little Christmas when you can’t. But perhaps, this has been the lives of so many brethren, Filipinos and in the world, who only get to spend with their beloved after five or ten years. It’s something new and unbelievable, it shatters our pure and naïve hearts to be able to intake such historical event that is we can’t even hug one another, or simply talk to each other. We have become so reliant with our screens that we don’t make an effort anymore to see each other even if it maybe online. We have become so passive that how can we call ourselves cheerful, how could our song be a hallelujah?
It’s only the fourth month since 2021, and a month after the very first lockdown since this pandemic happened. I’m already craving for what seems to be impossible — live and actual gatherings, to be able to unite through His Love. I pray hard that it may be able to permeate and give us the strength, security and certainty that this time, we’ll be able to celebrate not only Christmas but all the reasons, joys or sufferings, that unite us together as a people. But really, Christmas, hopefully we’ll be able to say this time, have yourself a merry little christmas.
