Regardless of one's spiritual persuasion, one has to deal with Christmas. At the stroke of midnight , the world will erupt into a ritual of fireworks, noise and rejoicing at the most and curious silence at the very least in observance of Christmas. The event has become a part of world history that Christmas cannot be disregarded even by those who reject it.

In recent years, people have notably become wary of celebrating Christmas not so much because it has become obsolete – which it cannot – but because they equate Christmas with a lot of things that they can no longer afford to have. Come to think of it, there were no Christmas trees laden with gifts, no carols, parties or greeting cards at the first Christmas. It should make us wonder what all our gripes for missing them are for in the first place. The shepherds had nothing to their name and yet they celebrated the first Christmas that could shame most of us. Instead, there are a lot that should remind us of the first Christmas because they have become part of modern-day living. Take the case of the innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away because the inn was full of those who can afford to pay. He missed the chance to see the birth of Jesus – and so are many today because they are just as preoccupied with profit and opportunity.

On the other hand, the wise men dropped everything to bring their gifts to Jesus and worship Him. They show us that true wisdom is knowing one's priorities and pursuing them. There are many today who are just as preoccupied but who give Jesus the first part of their time, talent and resources. Christmas is all about knowing Whom to look for, where to find Him and giving Him first place in life. Jesus is the reason for the season, but somehow to many it has become just another holiday. Reminds us about that observation about a birthday party where the celebrator has been banished from the event.

There are those who try to transform the event into a secular celebration, which it cannot be. For whatever reason, Christmas is being reduced to one of those holidays that means nothing except the time away from work and school. In the final reckoning, it is a matter of personal decision whether to be a part of Christmas as a confessed beneficiary or nothing at all. Like the first Christmas, there were no fence-sitters. Either one was a participant or nothing at all. Indeed, regardless of one's spiritual persuasion, one has to deal not only with Christmas but most of important of all, with Jesus Christ whose birthday we celebrate today. Merry Christmas!