TURNING POINT: The Spirit of Christmas

NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 24 Dec) – Christmas is the season for giving and forgiving.

Giving is the foundation of real and meaningful change. It generates goodwill, understanding, tolerance, trust, and confidence – the blocks critically needed in building peace.

Our blessings in talents and material gifts more than always suffice our needs and enjoyment. There’s, therefore, no reason why we should not share them with others. Sharing spreads compassion, joy, and hope for better days.

During natural calamities that often visit us, it is heart-touching to see in social media images of people from different walks of life, strangers, braving difficult terrains, carrying food supplies, and other material assistance to ease the suffering of distraught victims. It is in this situation that our faith in God is strengthened, and our eroded belief in the goodness of man is restored.

Our talents, skills, and circumstances define what we can give to others. The more gifted may offer a voice for the voiceless, inspire courage to the timid, and strength to the weak. The boldest among us may even offer their lives so that others may live. Not all of us can do that of course. But just by listening to their stories, we may be able to give comfort to troubled souls. At times, just being there could already be a great help.

Now and then, we experience being wronged by people, intentionally or due to some lapses in thoughts. If hurt, our immediate response is to hurt them back. The retaliation harms them but it harms us, too. No one gains from being trapped in the vicious cycle.

It is high time to retreat in silence, rethink our moves, and ponder why things happen as they do. Their minds might have been burdened with troubles, the weight beyond them to carry; that’s why some are displaced on us. That is not remote. With such perception and understanding, it is incumbent on us to forgive them for all to move on.

It is in giving that we receive, and in forgiving that we enjoy peace.

A joyful Christmas to everyone!

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan, Ph.D., is retired professor and former chancellor of Mindanao State University at Naawan, Misamis Oriental.)