The 'Spirit' of Christmas

Written by Jan Marco Delos Reyes
Illustrated by Monzam Wang

Posted on December 25, 2021 | 10:30 AM

The leaves rustled and it appeared that the wind had lost its warmth, it was already September before I knew it. Christmas music started playing on speakers and radios. The beautiful tune of “Christmas in our Hearts” by Jose Mari Chan prompts the hearts of everyone that it’s the start of the Christmas season once again. Everyone, including my family, seems to harness the feeling of happiness and leave the melancholy feeling outside of them.

Then the nights become longer and the leaves start to fall to the ground. The month of October is here and everyone hung their parols outside their doors then nights became more vivid and full of life. Christmas treats also became prominent again, Puto Bumbong, Bibingka, Leche Flan, and the whole shebang. Christmas bags filled with groceries were also distributed and my family seems to be full of life being able to once again eat ham and pasta. It was a pleasure seeing them filled with joy once more. 

Then suddenly, everyone seems to be in a rush because it is already November and everyone wants to stock up on food and gifts as well as make plans for Christmas parties. The markets and malls were overcrowded but my family decided to have a simpler celebration to avoid the mass of people and spending too much money, they knew it was what I would’ve wanted. 

Finally, it was here, the month of December. It was what everyone was waiting for. Homes sheltered guests and people hosted parties to celebrate Christmas day with their families. In our home, however, the dining table was quiet, my sister Renna then muttered “This is the first Christmas without Emily...” My brother Luke then answered, “This was supposed to be a day of happiness, but why...” 

Luke sniffled and cried, it was depressing seeing him like that. Everyone at the dining table felt what he was feeling and it deeply pained my heart as the outburst of their emotions began when all of them wept loudly. I knew it was inevitable and I could only watch on.

But then my son came rushing while holding my ashes and carried me to the dining table and shouted, “Mommy would hate to see you cry on this special day!” 

Then everyone laughed and their tears turned to joy. Luke finally wiped away the tears in his eyes and said, “Yeah… I guess she is still watching over us and it is quite embarrassing for her to see us like this.” 

He then started laughing. My son glanced at my urn and said, “Merry Christmas Mommy, I love you.” 

The melancholic night was now a night full of laughs and chuckles. I guess it wasn’t too late after all for them to truly celebrate Christmas day. Their happiness is my happiness even when I am no longer with them physically.