12.26.08

Christmas Wrap

Posted in 2008 Potpourri at 4:27 pm by Miracle ♪♫

This may come as a surprise to everyone but I do not believe in Christmas. “A Grinch”, you may say. But what is a Grinch? Someone who plunders the merriment of others during Christmas season, is it not? Then you may take it back, I am no such person. I believe in Love, Joy, and Peace. I partake in the happiness and togetherness of loved ones during this time of the year, and I absolutely believe that Christ was born to save mankind. Nevertheless, I cannot reconcile Christ’s birth and December 25 among other things. An old entry of mine explains this – although in a rather adolescent astringent tone which could have been mellowed down and formulated better had I written it recently. Despite all these, I am not offended by those who believe in Christmas and do not think any lesser of them, and I am still so thankful for the heart-warming and enlightening experiences that befell during this season. Here are some:

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Rehab

Earlier this month, a beloved cousin who has been lost to the world of drugs and a wayward lifestyle returned to us. Completely rehabilitated and back to his very adorable self, we embraced his homecoming. For me this was the best gift the family could ever hope for and it was worthy of the grandest celebration. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:32)

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Lessons in Preparation

The irony of the “holiday” season is how more people are busier than usual – people such as myself. I completely overlooked practicing music due to the make-up lessons with my students, year-end janitorial duties, preparations for visitors, etc. Needless to say, I neglected my first love in the flurry of what seemed to be more pertinent at the moment. Then a visitor arrived from New York who wished to hear Rachmaninov. Unprepared, surprised, un-warmed up, and being unable to decline, I sat on the piano silently as Dandi began the Allegro Scherzando of the third movement with a tempo that fuelled my panic. What bothered me was the fact that I had been reviewing this piece earlier and while doing so, nobody wanted to listen to it, and when I stopped practicing it, somebody did!

Nevertheless, I’m relieved that this time, it only concerned Rachmaninov… and yes, you may have predicted a brewing analogy, and here it is! It is so easy to lose oneself in the bustle of what seems to be important in life. Our careers, studies, and even trifling hobbies usually get in the way of our first love who is Christ. We engage ourselves with preparations for promotions, job opportunities, deadlines, even marriage, and so much more that we forget what we should groom for most importantly: Eternal Life. Let us continue practicing and working hard for this because at the last moment, in the twinkling of an eye, there may not even be room for panic, and the preparation time endowed unto us will come to an end, and of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)

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Pyrotechnics

Of firecrackers Mama commented, “It’s good that lesser people decided to burn their money this year.” Misha with surprised eyes immediately queried, “Firecrackers are made of money?!”

But seriously, one has to discover that there are more meaningful ways to have a “blast”! I had my fulminating Joy basking in the Love and blessings from God, and in the company of dear people who make this life explosively brilliant! But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

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www.flickr.com/photos/stacylynn/773778987/

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