Merry Christmas
As we walked home under an umbrella on a late rainy afternoon not so long ago, my grandson excitedly told me: “Lolo, during the school assembly this morning, we sang a very nice song … that one from Michael Jackson … Heal the World.”
“It goes like this: Heal the world. Make it a better place …” I joined in: “For you and for me and the entire human race.” He asked: “You know the song?” I did not reply. My mind was busy reviewing good memories of Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 to June 25, 2009) and his music.
We walked on in silence. The rain stopped. I folded the umbrella. Gazing up, I saw the mild wind blow away the dark clouds. Then, this thought: Lucky are those who can sing, hum or recite Heal the World by heart. Unfortunately, many can’t sing anymore. Pathetically, there are still those who refuse to sing.
*****
Healing the world from man-made illnesses was the topic of interest of noble minds from 196 countries who engaged in the United Nations climate change summit in Le Bourget, France up to December 12.
Outside the summit halls, billions of people kept their fingers crossed, hoping that governments would walk the talk.
Forget about comprehending the jargon and legalese of climate change. One thing is clear: We have only one planet for a home. Let’s do what it takes to keep Mama Earth clean and tidy, safe and trendy.
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Ever so beautiful and wonderful, that is what Mama Earth … and, of course, Miss Earth … should be.
Nearby France, at the Marx Halle in Vienna, Austria, 95 heavenly bodies with Nature’s best at heart became the awesome faces of their individual countries as they competed to be Miss Earth 2015.
Of the 86 ladies who made it to the December 5 finals, Angelia Ong of the Philippines won the Miss Earth 2015 title. Miss Earth 2014 and compatriot Jamie Herrell turned over the crown to Ong, marking the first back-to-back country win in Miss Earth history.
During the pageant’s final Q & A, Angelia was asked “The slogan of Miss Earth for the last 15 years is ‘Beauty for A Cause’. If you were to propose a new slogan for the next 15 years, what would it be?”
She replied: “If I were to make a slogan for the next 15 years for Miss Earth, it will be ‘We will, because we can’. I want to let everybody know that all things are possible and all things are feasible if we work together. We will, because we can.”
Be environment-friendly: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recyle and Respect.
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No complaints, folks! Great was the warmer late autumn weather Torontonians enjoyed in weeks past. The GTA will likely see and feel a mild and soft winter, so the meteorologists (a.k.a. weathermen) say. If this is what climate change means, I’m loving it.
Whatever, I will keep on dreaming of a white Christmas.
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While sprucing up the Christmas tree, my granddaughter asked me: “Lolo, what is the X in Xmas?”
“Oh, the X? It’s the … ahhh … yes … X is the manger where Jesus Christ was born,” I replied.
“So if Jesus was born there, why can’t I see the baby Jesus in the X?” she asked.
“Spell Christmas right …,” I said as I wrote C-H-R-I-S-T-mas on a piece of paper and showed it to her “… and the baby Jesus will be there. It never was or would be Xmas. It is and will always be Christmas.”
“Lolo, I know why baby Jesus is not in the X. Mama said He is in my heart,” she said.
“Amen! Christmas is about Christ … in our hearts. That’s the way it should always be, my dear,” I said.
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Then, my eavesdropping grandson butted in: “So, Lolo, what do you make of the X-men?”
“I think this big red ball should hang under the golden reindeer in the middle of our nice Christmas tree. And before I forget, please lay out Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the angel, shepherds, the Three Wise Men and the animals in the Belen,” I replied.
He said: “Uh … okay.” Whew!
*****
Seated nearby a group of compatriots enjoying a festive Christmas party, I can’t help but overhear a loud and spirited debate on federal government plans to clean the Senate’s tainted image.
Though splattered with irreverent references to undesirable instances in Philippine past and present politics, the oral exchanges were a bit emotional but very intelligent.
A well-dressed elder opined: “Some of the unelected appointees have been publicly voted as monstrous disappointments. Integrity in the chamber could only be upheld when Senators stopped being partisan.”
“Party? Saan? May karaoke?” snapped an oldie that looked like he was catching up on an after-meal nap.
If sharp and glaring stares were considered hate crimes and were fatal, all those around Mr. Sleepyhead would go to jail. But at least, he would get what he wanted: eternal rest.
*****
Moving on, the group jumped to more relevant Yuletide season conversations, like how their grandchildren eagerly awaited for Boxing Day.
Out of the blue, Mr. Sleepyhead did it anew: “Did you know that Fil-Am boxer Nonito Donaire outpunched Mexico’s Cesar Juarez to win the WBO super bantamweight belt? Did you know that exchanging punches has ruled opposing parliamentarians in Japan and Ukraine? Did you know that the Mike Duffy trial seems to set a glaring way to knock each other out in Canada’s halls of power? Did you know …”
Cutting in, his buddy pleaded: “Please don’t force me to be in Santa’s naughty list.”
*****
In another Christmas fete among friends, talk ensued about Canada’s benevolent acceptance of brothers and sisters fleeing the rampage in war-torn Syria.
One opined: “Where are the refugees? The images and stories the media is throwing around are so different from what that same media earlier made me to know what a refugee is – cold and hungry, afraid and confused, desperate and clinging to life. Moms and children who survive in mercy camps, aren’t they coming to Canada too?”
Another said: “Maybe, in the next plane. How they look when they arrive no longer matters. What counts is that they are in Canada and no longer in the midst of danger. Not all may be able to land in Canada. Let us just be glad that some made it, and pray that many more will do. Isn’t that humanity’s Christmas wish?”
“Are you kidding me? Scrooge and the Grinch still lurk in dark, in the likes of Donald Dump and insensitive leaders, who wish the opposite,” intoned a lady.
The ‘pastor’ said: “I believe this is the best time to recall and reflect on the Christmas Story … that part where there was no room at the inn for Joseph, Mary and the Christ child who was about to be born … and everything amazing that happened next.”
*****
The reel magic of the futuristic intergalactic Star Wars is worth one’s cents and senses. But best to feel is the real magic of Bethlehem’s Star of Peace that brought angels, kings and shepherds together to witness a humble yet divine nativity on that bright, calm, cold and silent night.
I find ridiculous and annoying the debate on who won the War of 1812. I’d rather indulge in inspiring stories about the peaceful truce between opposing soldiers on Christmas Eve at the Western Front in 1914.
As British troops alertly crouched in the trenches that evening, they heard the enemy singing Stille Nacht, heilege Nacht, Alles schläft; einsam wach. Soon they were in unison with the Germans. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child (Nur das traute hochheilige Paar). Holy Infant, so tender and mild (Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar), Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace (Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!).
Silent Night, composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818 to lyrics by Joseph Mohr, was one Christmas carol soldiers from both sides knew. Incidentally, Gruber and Mohr first performed the carol during the Mass on the night of December 24. The carol has since been translated into about 140 languages.
Weary from a bitter war, both sides found this holiday respite. They laid down their guns and stretched out of the trenches. The fraternization that followed between and among the soldiers in khaki and in grey uniforms was a Christmas miracle. The 1914 Christmas truce is remembered “as a symbolic moment of peace and humanity.”
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“Imagine all the people, living life in peace … sharing all the world. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will be as one.” Short, concise, poignant. Thank you, Sir John Lennon (October 9, 1940 to December 8, 1980), for making us dream big and act huge.
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Above all: Peace on earth and to all men of goodwill. Merry CHRISTmas! (butchgalicia@yahoo.com)