Monday, December 19, 2005
A Christmas responsibility
Today was a meaningful day for me. Our day started with the 5am Simbang Gabi (which we started going to in Christmas 2003). Before lunch, we bought P200 worth of new toys from our church to give to less fortunate children. Then we bought Reb a tambourine. She said she will use it when she goes caroling. Then Reb and I went through her toys as I asked her which ones she would like to give to less fortunate children through Jollibee's Ma-Agang Pasko. I told her that we will be giving Jollibee (easily one of her favorite personalities) some of her old toys so he (well, until now Reb and I haven't resolved if Jollibee is a he or a she) can give it to children who do not have toys. Normally she would ask why she needs to give away her toys but knowing she will be giving it to Jollibee made parting much easier. She probably caught the sharing bug that she wanted to give almost all her toys. I had to stop her because I knew in a day or two, she would be bugging me where her favorite toys are.
After lunch, we headed for SM Southmall to drop off the toys at the Jollibee store there. She was so happy to give that big plastic bag full of toys. Then she went caroling with some of her playmates this evening. The twenty plus pesos she earned she placed in the "Pondo ng Pinoy" bottle which we will be giving to the church when full. She enjoyed singing her heart out ("let's sing Merry Christmas...and a Happy Holiday...this season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus...) and she loved putting those coins inside her bottle.To me it was an extraordinary day. I believe that one of the responsibilities we parents need to face during the holidays is teaching our children the real meaning of Christmas. We do not have much. As a matter of fact, money is very tight these days. Yet there are a thousand and one opportunities out there to still give despite the hard times. Jollibee gave us the chance to give as much as we can without having to worry about spending a cent. But more than that, it gave me a chance to teach Reb about sharing and caring. That there is more than enough toys in her world for her and other children to enjoy. That nothing goes to waste as we pass on stuff we have outgrown or just have too many of. That there will be countless of other people who will be only too happy to receive things we have passed on to them with love.
It is never too early to teach kids about giving. They may not understand it fully yet but the act of giving is something we can inculcate in their young minds. Later, it will be a beautiful experience for them when they finally understand the magic of giving. In the meantime, we can just continue to teach them how to give and share and be conscious of the needs of the people around them. It not only teaches them compassion but makes them realize that the world does not revolve around them. And they can even be a positive influence to their own circle of friends. Children love doing what other children are doing. Let's take advantage of this. If we teach our kids the value of giving, they can influence other kids...imagine just what that chain reaction can do to the world.To me, Christmas time is not just a season for celebration. It's also the perfect time to teach our kids just what the season is all about. That is why this Christmas, the gifts are kept inside the closet until the 24th so the excitement is focused on the Simbang Gabi, the caroling to raise money for the "Pondo ng Pinoy" and probably another batch of old toys to give to Jollibee. I'm hoping by showing her this early, she will get use to it that it becomes second nature to her when she grows up.
That, to me, is one of the best gifts we can give our children.
...and let the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts...
