christmas nowadays

It's basically christmas already! The holiday fever has started way back when the so-called 'ber' months came. In the Philippines, Christmas is a very special season. One can see colorful christmas decorations in almost everywhere. The streets of Makati are filled with golden lights, Araneta Center in Cubao has a very tall Christmas tree and just about every establishment has decors and sounds and lights all over the place. Despite poverty in the country, this holiday season will still be celebrated with a big bang. After all, this is the only time of the year where family reunites with one another and where offices and classes have their own parties and fun activities.

Christmas is such one of the most awaited events of the year. But as Christmas trees grew taller every year and as lanterns become bigger every year, the true Christmas spirit diminishes every year. It has become a big commercial/revenue generating/ and spiritless event. There are so many Christmas specials, christmas sales and other gimmicks. Although they are good for consumers, it is not good for Christmas. Businesses used the holiday season for their own benefit. Christmas has lost touch its real meaning. People sees Christmas as Sale day or party season or vacation week.

In other countries, like Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, India among others. They celebrate Christmas with a big bang- fireworks, parties- you name it. They promote tourism by their Christmas events in their respective countries. What is ironic is that these countries are not even Christian in general. Yet they celebrate the birth of Christ??? This is bothering coz I don't even think they know what Christmas really means and yet they greet "Merry Christmas" to everyone. As if they know that it is the time when the Savior was born. Christmas has lost touch really its real and true meaning. It saddens me that Christmas is celebrated all over the world... minus the fact that it is Christ's birthday.

The Philippine should take advantage of this scenario. In fairness to the country, it really celebrates Christmas differently from Asian countries. For one, Filipinos know that it is the birth of Christ and that it is also a thanksgiving. There are "simbang gabi" and traditional noche buena for the entire family. Plus the fact that there are also sales and fireworks and other gimmicks too. The country should position itself as the place where one can experience the real spirit of Christmas in the Far East . It is a fact anyway. Western countries and even Asian nations would want to visit the Philippines knowing that indeed since the country is a predominantly Christian nation, then probably the Philippines does celebrate Christmas in its truest sense. Tourism department must think of this strategy next time (if there is a budget of course). I'm sure Asians, who are not Christians, would feel interested to know and feel real and true Christmas the right way. After all, it is more expensive to go to the US or other "Christmas countries". Just a thought.