Spirit of Christmas

January 3, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Headstrick By Rene C. CalandriaBy Rene C. Calandria
What is Christmas and the spirit that goes along with it? By dissecting its origin, there are two etymological words that defines it, the Latin Christus and the word mass whose root word is the Old English maesse which means holy. Literally, Christmas simply means Holy Christ. If we go deeper into philosophy of language or by semantics (in the words of the grammarians), Christmas could mean Mas-Christi which is simply translated as more of Christ. Another semantic expression of Christmas could be mass-Christus. The word mass commonly understood as the masses or the common tao will yield the meaning of Christmas as the masses for Christ.

What does Christmas really mean to the people in the streets of New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC among others, as compared to the rural folks and countryside. After spending many years in the rural area of my birthplace where children look forward to Christmastime for some tootsie-rolls and curly tops and early morning Mass (Simbang Gabi) is a big hit among folks in town, I have come to conclude the obvious disparity between the urban and rural celebration of Christmas.

Christmas in the city is colorful, elaborate, gift-oriented, expensive and almost certainly worldly. The spirit behind the season is mostly influenced by business and profit. (The after Thanksgiving Day, I was on the road as early as 4:30 in the morning with thousands other shoppers within the DC area trying to pick the best deal in store in preparation for Christmas Eve). The pressure during Christmas time in the city does not only include gift wrapping and road traffic but extends to the very depths of our wallet.

Christmas decorations in most houses are sophisticated and elegant. Christmas eve dinner and breakfast on Christmas day are cooked with recipes. Gourmet chocolates and cookies are in abundance. In the six years of detailed observation and experience, a typical American family is in his/her best Christmas suit and neckties on dining tables. Christmas tree has an overwhelming file of gifts for family members, friends and neighbors including the cats and dogs (as if these animals would even care and know what Christmas is). As the spirit of materialism dominates the subconscious of the citys social strata, the old tradition of Christ being the center of this holiday is overshadowed by too much ornaments. Santa Claus becomes the great icon on Christmas morning. Although I have to admit that during the season, I would swing by the streets of New York - along Fifth Avenue, Broadway and Times Square to enjoy not only the grandiosity of Christmas decorations but to entertain myself to a Broadway show - a treat to myself for working 351 days a year.

In contrast, the celebration of Christmas in the rural area where I grew up is more relax and almost heavenly. There are Christmas decorations but are not expensive and glittery. Most folks go to Church as early as 5:30 in the morning for the Christmas novena or Simbang Gabi. There is no pressure on shopping and traffic because a mere box of chocolate is all what it takes to make the little kids believe that Santa Claus did come on Christmas eve. Christmas lights, balls and lighted angels are all luxury and are rarely seen in the rural area. The spirit of Christmas in the countryside is basically defined by religious observation of the birth of Christ. The activities is centered within the framework of the Churchs activities and religious services. I cannot argue enough that Christmas should be celebrated within the concept of Christ being the Superstar or the Omega Point (quoting the words of a French philosopher - Pirre de Chardin). While the rest of Christmas preparations are meant to make the Season merry and bright yet they are not necessary and indispensable. The purpose of these decorations should be symbolic of the Emmanuel in order to make them meaningful and biblical.

Hence, there is a need to prepare not only our houses but most importantly the self within. If Christmas is about the Holy Christ, he who receives and celebrate with Him should be holy. If the Holiday is all about the masses for Christ, the entire community should sing the alleluia in His honor. If Christmas is more about Christ, then He alone is the center of this celebration. We make our own Christmas, we alone can define it. Merry Christmas and a Fruitful New Year to all.

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