The post-Christmas post

My Christmas presents are still sitting on the table where I left them. There they lie, amongst the colourful wrappers, ribbons, cards, etc. It's almost as if that I do not want to put them away, hoping that with the sight of those presents, Christmas is not over yet.
Reflecting back, Christmas this year has come and gone in a whirl. I have been so busy with so many things that it is only now I realise I had almost forgotten the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. Christmas is not about giving and receiving presents, Christmas trees, singing carols or even performing in Christmas musicals. Admittedly, these are all part and parcel of the Christmas season, and yet...and yet...
The natural disaster which struck our country and many others in this region on the day after Christmas really put things into perspective for me. Especially after Christmas, people have been questioning, "Why did God allow this to happen?" Funny, isn't it, how people blame God when something bad happens and yet fail to acknowledge Him for all the good things and blessings which they have received.
From this tragedy, I truly believe that the true spirit of Christmas is to have sincere thanksgiving in our hearts always, whether in good or bad times. What more can we be thankful for in that God sent His one and only Son to be born as a child into this world to save us from our sins. If we do not remember Christmas for this reason and this reason only, everything else we do will be in vain. And with this spirit of thankfulness, it is then we can reciprocate by showing to others the grace which we have received from God. Especially in this desperate time of need, we as God's children need to show our love and practical help to the victims of this tragedy. Only then will they realise that someone still cares for them, amidst the grief and loss that they are suffering.
Thus, even in times of great tragedy, I believe God has in purpose in allowing it to happen. We need to take hold of this opportunity that we have to show God's love to those that need it the most and also to be thankful for every circumstance. This I believe is the hearfelt message of Christmas, to be demonstrated in our lives not only during the Christmas season, but all the year round.