MEET MERRY

A Journey Through Cancer
Dec.23,2007

A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
Meet Merry through Joy
In our pursuit to have a merry Christmas, we get caught into the usual grind of endless activities, shopping rush and parties. Most of us forget the reason for the season, and worse, we end up tired, exhausted and without joy. Are you really merry this Christmas? Are you sure that you will have a happy New year?
The problem with Merry and Happy is that they depend so much on our environment and feelings. But Joy comes like a gentle breeze which brings assurance of an unconditional love and acceptance from God. It defies circumstances and situations. It does not end when life ends, but it goes on and on beyond death.
Christmas is almost over, and there are many things that we want to do within the timeframe which God allows. But we get into the rush of Christmas, and before we know its happening, its all over.
Maybe to some of us Christmas is only a happy holiday, or a time when we can receive beautiful gifts or thirteen month pay and even bonuses. It’s a month to sing Christmas carols to bring joy to many houses but ironically, we stretch their patience when we deprive them of the much needed time to rest and sleep when all they had to do after office hours is to get up and entertain five to ten sets of carolers every night. We can also be selfish in thinking that others have to cater to our needs instead of us giving out a helping hand. But really, what is Christmas all about?
When we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas during programs, we turn a cold cheek and tell ourselves, here we go again, I knew that story since I was a child. It’s all about a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, was born in a manger, with Joseph and Mary who were denied in every home they went because there was no room left for them to stay.
But we like the part where the three wise men gave Jesus wonderful gifts, because at least that justifies our gift giving.
So let us not miss the most precious gift of Salvation that is offered to all mankind, which is the focal point of every Christmas celebration. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” You may go back and read it again. No, this time, slowly, and understand each word. If we take time and really think about this wonderful truth, is there any reason for us not to be joyful? Do you have joy right now as you read? Or your mind goes back to the thirteenth month pay with nothing left because of deductions?
You may receive a BMW car this Christmas from your brother, father or a spouse, but the thing is, like other material things they are perishable, and when you get used to the feeling of being happy, it wanes and becomes empty. The BMW becomes nice again if someone noticed it as brand new. A diamond ring may last forever here on earth but you can never take it with you when you die. All the precious and not so expensive things that we give to those whom we care about are just a tiny fraction of what is given to us for free which is Salvation, through the babe in a manger.
This kind of joy that Jesus gives does not depend on circumstances. This is the joy which brings inner peace amidst poverty, loneliness in sickness and pain or even at the point of death. We can only have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year despite of anything that we go through if we have that kind of joy in our hearts.