Year 2021: The Christmas count down starts,,,,,

The whole world faces another yearend with uncertainty because of the corona virus pandemic. It's the second year in a row when the threat of the pandemic forces us to live... one day at a time.  For no one knows with certainty that today may in fact be our last.

Yet for as long as we are gifted with the PRESENT.... we continue to hope and live our time on earth, And pray that God be merciful and spare us from death,,, for now.

Though struggling still with this pandemic, the human spirit finds a light of hope at the start of the "BER" months. In the Gregorian calendar, the last four months of the year are fondly called the "BER" months. It starts in September through October, November, and December. These months have even more significance, in our Filipino customs,  because the beginning of the "BER" months in September is also the start of the holiday season in the Philippines all through the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Philippines is known as the only country that starts the holiday season once September comes in. That is why the world's longest Christmas season is celebrated in the Philippines, Asia's predominantly Christian nation. All the more significant because Christians look at Christmas as our hope of redemption when the  Savior came to save us from sin. As a nation we implore the Messiah to save us now from this pandemic soon.

By the start of September, Jose Mari Chan, a renowned Filipino songwriter and singer begins to entertain us with his Christmas songs.  He is known as the "Father of Philippine Christmas Music" because of the significant popularity of his iconic Christmas songs during the holiday season.

Soon radio programs and television shows will be featuring holiday tunes, like it is actually Christmas already.  Even the weather joins in, as we begin to feel the colder mornings, especially in the coming days.

In both blissful or hard times, the Filipino resilient spirit will always find the reason to smile as the cool "BER" months begin, ushering in the joyous countdown to Christmas.

Filipinos are normally known for their last-minute shopping, usually after the release of 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses in mid-December. And it is not unusual that many actually begin preparing their lists for holiday shopping and gift-giving as early as the month of September. But this year may not be the case because of the hard times, people lost their jobs and so their income, too, and most of us may just be barely surviving. Even businesses have their second year of economic losses and a number had closed down for good in fact, leaving those they employ jobless.

It is still 116 days before Christmas and in spite of the gloomy economic atmosphere let us buoy up with enthusiasm and expectations as the "BER" months progress to the big event that is Christmas Day. Our Savior Jesus may be kind and generous and miracles happen.... to liberate us from the curse of this pandemic.

That is why on top of all the anticipation, the Catholic Church always reminds the faithful about the real meaning of the Christmas season: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to redeem us from sin. That really is the true meaning of CHRISTMAS.... liberate us from our selfish selves and be persons for others....especially the needy during these hard times.  

Let us then welcome the "BER" months... in the spirit of Christian love.  Advanced Merry Christmas everyone!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!