Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas or X-Mas?
Christmas or X-Mas? I guess it doesn't matter if you are familiar with the Greek word fish which is Ichthys (IXOYE) . The fish symbol was used by the early Christians as a code to avoid persecution. The acronym stands for: I- Jesus, X-Christ, O-God's, Y-Son and E-Savior. So X-Mas would still translate to Christ-Mas.
But why shorten it and replace the name that is the reason for the season. Only a few are knowledgeable that the "X" in the Greek word represents Christ. To the majority "X" represents censorship, a delete. So a sign that says Merry X-Mas just translates to commercialism. It sends a sublimal message that reinforces what the majority of us do this time of the year: shopping and more shopping.
Even in greetings "Christmas" is going the way of X-Mas. In our time when one should be conscious of what is politically correct the "correct" greeting is "Happy Holidays" lest you offend somebody when you say "Merry Christmas". Why? I don't get the logic or ethical reason behind it. You celebrate somebody's birthday and yet you are not suppose to mention his name during the occasion? Some would say it has to do with other people's belief. I understand that but I don't take offense when they celebrate or practice their belief. I give them my utmost respect and majority of them reciprocates the same way.
As always the "noisy" minority dictates what should be the norm and us, the "silent" majority keeps mum hence we are dictated upon.
As for me I would just like to greet everybody A Merry Christmas !! Let us not forget that Christ is the Reason for the Season. Happy Birthday...
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Simbang Gabi
Read the article of Isagani Cruz of PDI dated 17 December on Simbang Gabi circa 1930's. It was a nostalgic trip for the writer down memory lane giving us a glimpse of the old Sampaloc, Manila, then considered as a "sleepy town" where acacia trees lined both side of the "idle streets"!!! What a stark contrast today and a vivid picture of what life is then and now. A tranquil and laid-back life compared to today's noisy, stressful, and fast paced life. But the way he describes how young people act then and how "romance" rather than the purpose of hearing mass is what motivates them to wake up early is, I think, the same as today. Devotion is not inherent to young people. Even today they would rather be outside the church during simbang gabi which is not unlike what the writer described during his time: "Many of us stayed outside the church, however, on the pretext that it was too crowded inside". I also observed this last year when I went home for Christmas and attended a midnight mass. Most of the young people who came in groups were outside. This gives them the opportunity to be more cozy and be able to give more attention to the person they are attracted to rather than pay attention to the homily. Our dear old "manangs" would call it blasphemy. But who can control their feelings especially when you're young, infatuated and in love. At least they went to church, paid homage, said their short prayers, prayed for their crush and attended mass until the final blessings. God in his infinite wisdom will understand. I pray He does for I remember in my not so younger days I also attended a midnight mass and I was outside the church. In the parking lot inside my car to be exact. Holiday spirit was in the air. Coming from a boys' night out (yeah I know it's already early morning) I heard the church bells ringing on my way home. So I said might as well attend mass and seek forgiveness for the night's carousing. Not to make excuses but the church was really crowded. So I parked the car where I could still hear the homily through the speakers. That's as far as I can remember for the next thing I'm aware of was the sun was up, church doors were already closed and parking lot empty and quiet. I slept through the mass!!! Mea culpa, I have long asked for forgiveness. It reminded me of the bridesmaids who did not bring enough gas for their lamps to welcome the bride and the groom. When they had their lamps refilled the church doors were already closed and they were not allowed in. But I would also like to look at it in His infinite wisdom. He "called" me so I can rest (how can you beat that after a night of revelry He still cares...for the drunkards, sinners, tax collectors...) or I might have fallen asleep driving. But I can still remember how empty I felt afterwards.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Weather... Blower
Hello blog. It's been a while. Got scheduled five straight days doing mid-shift. Because of the weather, snow and all, activity in our store has been slow these past three days considering it'll be Christmas in 10 days. I'm sure it'll be crazy as hell this weekend and the week ahead. People are just dying to go out and do their shopping once the weather clears up even if the temperature will be freezing.
Had our first "serious" snow fall. About 8" or so in our area. Reportedly, there were about 200 vehicular accidents all over MN. One died shoveling snow and he's 18 years old !!! I kid you not, it's no joke shoveling snow especially when it's "wet" and more than 3" thick. He might have pushed himself too hard. You have to know your limitation. Depending on the size of the area that you're going to clear you have to pace yourself. You'll be huffing, straining and sweating (even if its freezing) before you're done. With last Wednesday's accumulation I took the easy way out. I roused my snow blower from hibernation and made it do the work. I'd say it did a good job because I thought for a while it'll conk out on me.
While I was cleaning it I thought I heard it say "Is that it?". Well I said, "Don't be brash it's just the start of winter. We still have January, February and March. If you're lucky, April might decide to join in." It whispered back, "Boss, I think you need a workout once in a while." Yeah, right.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
A Passage
Christmas 2004 at Tito Manny's (seated) home in Las Pinas, Metro Manila, Philippines
It still hits you even when you're expecting it. Came home from a party Saturday. I noticed the phone light was blinking. It was a message from my brother in New Jersey: "I just called to inform you..." even before he finished his sentence I knew it was not good. My uncle passed away Saturday morning. He finally succumbed to cancer after more than a year of struggle and prayers.
We spent Christmas at his home last year. Even then he was not looking good though he put up a cheerful demeanor and a happy visage.
I admire my Tita Hayda's fortitude. In the face of physical, emotional and financial strain she never wavered in her faith and was still able to help other people in need. It was, as they say, a rollercoaster ride and this year was the hardest. My uncle was in and out of the hospital. Hovering from a cognitive state to unconsciousness.
In a sense, my uncle's demise is both a relief and a loss. Relief that he is now resting in peace. No more pain and suffering for him and his loved ones. A loss, for my aunt: a loving husband and best friend, for my cousins: a caring and thoughtful father,for us, his nephews and nieces: an uncle who is always ready to help and give advise.
He will be buried this Saturday, 10 December 2005. I will not be there physically but my prayers and spirit will be.
May God grant eternal repose on his soul and give him everlasting peace.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Week That Was
This week temperatures dipped to a single digit and it hit the negative due to wind chill factor. This is above average for December the weathermen said. I guess the weather was trying to make up for the unusual "warm" weather last November. I also shoveled my first snow for the year. We're still lucky compared to those living in the northern part of MN. It was colder and more inches of snow fell in their backyard plus their major highways were closed due to strong winds and icy roads.
I requested a friend who braved the Black Friday to buy me a memory stick for my camera. He was able to buy one with 60% discount after rebate. Unfortunately it was the wrong kind. I had to return it thinking that I would be getting an in-store credit since he paid with his VISA and I don't want to inconvenience him further. Then I would be "forced" to buy an item from that store. Lady luck was with me since the store can refund the amount to my friend's VISA even without his card. Now why can't other stores do that?
Gas prices have been relatively low this past two weeks. It was below $2.00, hovering at $1.91 to $1.95. But as I was driving home early this evening I noticed that it went up again to $2.15. Gone were the days when it was $1.20 -$1.50. I'll be happy if it'll just stay below $2.00. Wishful thinking.
Put up the Christmas lanterns we bought last year in Pampanga, Philippines. We actually have three now with those blinking lights. Proudly Philippines. Probably I'll take a photo and post it here.
