A Song of Christmas Past

We once held a Christmas event in church for the youth BUT it was held in July, months ahead of schedule. "Christmas in July" We decorated the halls with twinkle lights and gave the guests a good meal and sang Christmas carols as the sun went down. That being said, the song "Christmas is All in the Heart" by Steven Curtis Chapman held center stage. It's enchanting melody and simple lyrics give the message that Christmas is always worth celebrating even on a non-Christmas-sy date or environment. ESPECIALLY on non-Christmas-sy dates and environments. Here's a part of the song:

And even if no white snow falls, that’s all right because
The joy can still be found, wherever you are
‘Cause Christmas is all, all in the heart

No, it’s not in the snow that may or may not fall
And it’s not in the gifts around the tree
It’s in the love heaven gave, the night our Savior came
And that same love can still be found wherever you are
‘Cause Christmas is all in the heart
And the joys can still be found, wherever you are
‘Cause Christmas is all in the heart
It’s all in the heart

From the album "The Music of Christmas"

Some of you reading this may live in places where Christmas will be seemingly impossible to celebrate. That may not be so here where I am BUT I'm quite the perfectionist and often nostalgic about the holidays. I always compare one Christmas celebration against those held in the past, and rarely do my Christmases reach the ideal that I want. Reflecting on the song reminds me though, again and again, whatever the circumstances, it's not what's outside that matters the most. There's always one event that gives me a reason to celebrate. I pray the same be true for you, through any time or season you face, may it always be Christmas in your heart.

Christmas: Even Though It's Still November

All Saint's and All Soul's have come and gone while Bonifacio Day, the next holiday, has yet to make an appearance. And yet the air's already filled with the festive atmosphere of Christmas. Malls belt out ballads through their sound systems and our neighbors have already decorated their gate with twinkling lights and snowmen. Newscasters announce "X days left to go before Christmas" and bells and balls are in very high demand. I seemed to hear the voice of carolers at our own gate a couple of days back although I never went out there to check (so i wouldn't have to pay them the obligatory sinsilyo).

Okay, that last statement may prove that I still have Grinch in my blood but don't get me wrong here, I really do love the season. After all:

Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.

-states the trivia section of the WOW Philippines Website.

In honor of that idea, I'll be mentioning Christmas more than a couple of times in this blog. Yes, even if it's still November.