Its the 24th and I have done none of the usual activities of the day except for wrapping gifts for the customers here at the store. Past is the time when I was busy this day helping with the food or the decorations, while Christmas songs were on the radio. Those who would share their celebration with me are gone and my mother’s family is so torn that a reunion would seem too hypocritical.
Still, I have peace in my heart. Maybe a little nostalgic remembering how Christmas used to be with my aunt Catalina and Teresa when I was an adult and how fun family gathering were at my granduncle Crispin's house. I really miss those days. And I deeply regret that I can’t give my child a common, simple family Christmas Eve with dinner, posada and party. In exchange, she is learning other kind of things: that giving gifts tonight is not a way to make people happy; that a fancy family reunion doesn’t guarantee that love is what fills the ambience, and that one night doesn’t make the rest of a lifetime.
Last night she taught me a lesson: I was showing a customer the different wrapping paper designs we had for sale, and for a moment, the lady choose the Nativity scene design. We were both very pleased cause its our favourite model but as soon as she saw the funny Santa Clause, she changed her mind. “I don’t get it, said Ruth, if Jesus is the reason for Christmas, why she preferred a fat funny guy?.” Smart girl with a special inner wisdom is she. In my childhood, it was baby Jesus who would bring presents every December 25th, not Santa, and I still praise that lost concept.
Oh well, this is also the time when I miss the people I love deeply. I know that miles of land and even an ocean and more land are separating us, but I have you in my heart and my thoughts.
A little Xmas Story.
Once upon a time there was this little girl who knew nothing about Jesus Christ, cause her parents had so much guilt in their hearts that didnt talk about him. One day, in school, the English teacher wrote on the blackboard the lyrics of a beautiful song, both in Latin and English. The concept was very simple, but it touched her heart: There was someone so special, so magical, that was worthy to be adored. Tears rushed to her eyes when it was time to sing Adeste Fideles, and her voice would break when starting to sing. Such beautiful song always filled her heart with incompehensible joy.
That same emotion remain untouched today when she hears that song. Even when she has experienced the ups and downs, has witnessed people's cruelty, selfishness, envy and bitterness, she knows and she believes.
Adeste Fideles
Laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte
Regem angelorum
Venite adoremus
Dominum
Cantet nunc io
Chorus angelorum
Cantet nunc aula caelestium
Gloria, gloria
In excelsis Deo
Venite adoremus
Dominum
Ergo qui natus
Die hodierna
Jesu, tibi sit gloria
Patris aeterni
Verbum caro factus
Venite adoremus
Dominum
O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY DEAR ONES!!