“Mama, Jesus must be so excited for His Birthday!” my ever-adorable daughter said to me yesterday.
“Yes, anak, and what gift are you giving Jesus on Christmas?”
“I’ll sing a Christmas song for the family, and I’ll dance with my cousins! He’ll love my gift! It’ll be a great party!”
Mapapangiti ka talaga sa batang ‘to.
My wonderful daughter, in her innocent and unintentional ways, has once again, as always, driven me to reflect, remember, and realize.
Allow me to share the lines of one of my favorite Christmas songs:
Pagalmig ng hangin hatid ng Pasko
Nananariwa sa ‘king gunita
Ang mga nagdaan nating Pasko
Ang Noche Buena’t Simbang gabi
Sa pag-awit muli ng himig-Pasko
Nagliliyab sa paghahangad
Makapiling kayo sa gabi ng Pasko
Sa alaala’y magkasama tayo
Narito na ang Pasko
At nangungulila’ng puso ko
Hanap-hanap, pinapangarap
Init ng pagsasalong tigib sa tuwa
Ng mag-anak na nagdiwang
Sa sabsaban n’ung unang Pasko
I’ve been blessed to be busy these past several weeks: work, holiday preps for each family member and the entire family (I’m the mom, what can I say!), Church activities, and spending time and catching up with friends, colleagues, and family. Simple joys, but these are the ones that really matter.
Hope and Love, the greatest gifts of all. I pray that we all bask in the Hope and Love the season brings to us and our families. Happy Birthday, Jesus! It’s your birthday, and yet it is You who always gives us Your gifts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
