Haven't Felt the Christmas Spirit Yet?

 As I was scrolling on my newsfeed, I see a lot of posts from my Facebook friends, or random Facebook pages, making memes about not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. Some posts say, "Is it even Christmas? Why does it feel so ordinary?"

I completely understand. Considering how this year went, a lot of people would say that. I used to be one of these people. Yes, "used to be". With the coronavirus, and the multiple after-effects it brought to us, with all our canceled plans, and now a quieter Christmas, I did think that I haven't felt Christmas coming at all.

But then recently, as I went to the city to run a few errands, I saw a lot of street people hanging out in the plaza. Some street kids were playing over popcorn and running around, and others were laughing out while eating two pieces of bread. It dawned to me, "How are these people gonna celebrate their Christmas?"

Then I realized, most of these people are used to spending their Christmas on the street every year, eating scraps thrown by other humans. Yet, they seem unbothered and still looked happy over the little things they have. So, why can't I be the same? Why can't I feel that same blissful contentment like they're feeling now? I also saw one man in the corner of a Bakeshop, sleeping peacefully on a sack. 

Seeing other people's situations that are way worse than ours made me realize how blessed we still are. Despite the coronavirus and its domino effect, we are still here breathing, eating clean food, and living under one roof with our loved ones. Yet, we are the loudest ones to complain and say "I don't feel the Christmas spirit this year!"

I felt bad for myself for even feeling ungrateful the past few weeks. I kept on saying "It doesn't feel like Christmas, it's too quiet." I was blinded by the things I wasn't able to do because of the virus. Instead of being grateful for what I have, I focused on what I don't have.

I know some of you may say, "All people differ. All people differ on how much they could handle before they burst into disappointment and frustration." I understand how some people have been emotionally and mentally affected by the coronavirus, or the lockdown, and the quarantine. But please, hold on a little longer. If you feel like you're patience is almost up, ask for God to fill you with more patience. Be more patient, soon all things will be okay and everything will fall into place.

This may be a quieter Christmas compare to the past years, with not much parties, or social gatherings going on. But keep in mind what is the real essence of Christmas. Christmas is not about having the loudest party, or expensive gifts, or the merriest gathering, or the most abundant food served on the table. It's about remembering the birth of Jesus. And do you remember what Jesus taught us about Christmas?

Christmas is not about receiving a lot of gifts, but it's about giving and sharing. Since we are in the middle of the pandemic, this is the perfect time to give out and share your blessings. It may not be much but you'll never know how it would mean so much to the person you're giving it. I know I'm not too late, and we all know it's not too late for you to go out and give out to the people in need too.

If you don't feel the Christmas spirit yet, it's not because of the coronavirus, it's all up to you. You're the one who controls your perception of things, it's up to you to see things in a positive or negative way. We all know how hard this year had been, we lost a lot of people, and opportunities were canceled. But being able to get through all that, is also something we should be thankful for and should celebrate.

For the title question above, I would answer - I now feel the Christmas spirit. Thanks to the people who made me realized how blessed I still am. Hope you realize it too. Merry Christmas!