Christmas in our HOME

December they say is the happiest time of the year for Filipinos. Relatives from around the globe come home to the Philippines to celebrate Christmas. Family reunions, high school reunions, college reunions and other kind of reunions happen during christmas time. People are more friendly, more forgiving during this time too.

Once the "ber" months start, christmas songs will be heard over the radio. Christmas lights and lanterns in every Filipino home will entice you with thir ryhtmic burst of colors. Christmas trees of all kinds and sizes will be put up.

I for one, have set up our christmas tree as early as October. Usually, some would wait until All Saints day is through. But I would like to enjoy the christmas athmosphere longer, so I started early. Setting up the tree was quite sentimental for us. Andrea and I decorated the tree but our mind would drift from time to time to dad. For six years, the three of us celebrated the holidays together. This year is totally different. dad won't be able to join us because he is working abroad. But the thought that there are millions of Filipino families who will be celebrating with one member away from them, is quite comforting. I salute these families who have endured incomplete christmas celebration for years. But I take my hats off to the OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers) working in all parts of the world, their predicament is more difficult because they have no family to celebrate with them physically.

The Department of Tourism made a commercial with a tag line "Come home this Christmas". Home referring to the Philippines. But this is not limited to the OFW's, this is an open invitation to ALL. I wish every one could come to their "home" this christmas.

Merry Christmas to all!