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After
nearly nine months, pandemic fatigue is real. And here is Christmas
2020 which is likely to be far different — severely limiting our ability
to gather, and negatively affecting the health and finances of many —
but let us not forget the Jesus is the reason. Contributed Photos |
Summer, Lenten, graduations, fiestas and Halloween have all gone by and like everything else in 2020, they’ve felt really different. Now, Christmas is coming and …it will likely feel really different as our government advised us to simplify our Christmas celebrations.
VRS wanted to know how our friends are planning to navigate, connect, celebrate and reflect the holiday season.
Merly
Diez-Bantugan- Christmas is celebrated the same as before amid this
pandemic time and that is celebrating the yuletide season purely with
the immediate members of the family. It has always been the family's
tradition not to miss attending the dawn masses for 9 consecutive days.
However, our Lindaville parish has strategized to celebrate one Holy
Mass at dawn and one at 8 in the evening to avoid too much crowd. Then
on the Christmas day itself, we go out dining either in the city or in
Panglao. In the evening is the most awaited gift giving and concluded by
watching movie or tv shows at home. Gifts for the inaanaks this time
are just sent.
PEMS Melinda Mendez-Basalo- I
will be celebrating the Christmas amidst this pandemic still with my
family at home maybe in my hometown if time permits because we will be
on full alert this holiday season and my husband cannot come home from
Cebu because of the strict health protocols in our province. It would be
very simple just us with my Mama, brothers, sisters and their
respective families, eat the lechon and other Christmas favorites, our
traditional exchange of gifts and sharing of gifts and never forget to
attend Holy Mass whether it would be an on-line Mass or in Church which
is the most important event of this celebration, Jesus's birth is the
reason of the season. Even if this Christmas would be different from the
rest of the Christmases in my life because of the pandemic, let us not
forget that God let this happen in order for us to celebrate simply and
focus on Jesus who was humble enough to be born in a manger as the best
example for humility and obedience. Let us be everyone's blessings for
it is the great sign that God's love is indeed alive not only this
holiday season but for all the days of our lives. Let us continue
sharing to the least of our brothers and sisters who have lost their
jobs and livelihood. Merry Christmas and may the New Year 2021 will be a
great pandemic free Year for the world.
Dr.
April Lumuthang-Froilan- Christmas is celebrated by people around the
world, whether they are Christians or not. It's the time when family and
friends come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year,
celebrating Christmas will be quite different for me and for the
majority as well. Since Covid era is here, social gatherings are highly
discouraged. It is still best to stay home, stay healthy and celebrate
Christmas with your family. Our usual Christmas day visit to the
children in the orphanage will surely be postponed. Instead of hosting a
huge extavagant party, I'd like to make food deliveries to the less
fortunate ones on Christmas day. Despite this pandemic, I still can feel
the spirit of Christmas by sharing my own blessings.
Elvie
Bongosia- As the world celebrates Christ's birth, we may be going
through difficult times with this pandemic, despair not for Jesus is
born to save each one of us, no matter what we are going through. We
will have a simple celebration with our family. After all, Jesus is
the reason for the season!
Jhoel Lim- Amidst
the pandemic, let's not forget the true meaning of Christmas and the
most meaningful way of celebrating this spirit of joy is by spending
more quality time with our family and fill our home with love, kindness
and unity.
Vilma Yorong- I will celebrate
Christmas at home as we usually do. This year, a new addition to the
family make us more thankful and happier. We are blessed with a new baby
Zion who always makes our day more lively.
Fiel
Angeli Gabin- Christmas in the past years was crossing the deep blue
see to go to Siquijor to spend the holidays with Mommy Lou and the rest
of the family there, then coming home to Tagbilaran to welcome the New
Year with Mama Wincie. However, for this 2020, with the strict travel
restrictions still imposed due to the surging CoViD-19 cases in Bohol,
we will just celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, at home by
watching the online mass and sharing the food we prepare, with sincere
prayers that those who have less in life, especially during this time of
the pandemic and the recent typhoons, may find joy in their hearts to
thank God for the gift of life and love of family despite the
challenges.
* * *
These
"reminders" contributed by Arlene Pesquira of Tagbilaran City who is
celebrating her birthday today, Dec. 6, who got it from a friend, source
unknown.
*Live life to the fullest.
*Say "I love you" to people who are dear to you.
*Laugh hard.
*Eat good food.
* Continue to be a blessing to others.
* Enjoy the simple things.
*Be grateful for the borrowed time given to us.
*Don’t
call someone more than twice continuously. If they don’t answer, it
simply means they have something more important to attend to.
*Return money that you have borrowed even before the other person asks for it. It shows your integrity & character.
*Treat
a cleaner with the same respect that you would treat the CEO. Nobody is
impressed at how rudely you can treat someone below you, but people
will definitely notice if you treat them with respect.
* * *
Thanks
for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at
leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter
/Facebook/Instagram.
