"BEYOND THE CHAOS & THE NOISE"

(A Silent Night indeed)

Christmas is finally here once again. Many of us anticipate an inviting whirlwind of festive activities. Bright lights, cheerful music, and bustling crowds form the backdrop of this time, evoking a sense of joy and excitement. Yet, I noticed that this year feels different. There’s a distinct calm that has transformed this Christmas spirit, shifting the focus from glitz and glamour to simple moments of warmth and intimacy.

Beyond the Chaos

After recent global challenges, many of us have learned to slow down. The frantic pace of holiday celebrations has decreased significantly. Whereas lavish gatherings once dominated the season, I noticed that there were fewer Christmas decorations this year. For the past years, different news outlets have started to feature Christmas-related reports that might tell you that December is becoming busier and this holiday is regaining popularity. By now, you should have heard of a family that has filled their entire home with Christmas lights or another household that has already displayed their Santa Claus collection. You may also hear about a contest being held in a nearby province where they award the biggest and most colorful Christmas lantern, but for some reason, I’m not hearing those stories again.

Christmas for this year doesn’t feel that “chaotic” to me. According to one report I watched, the estimated number of people shopping in Divisoria (a local market) has decreased this year, which has resulted in a low profit for the vendors.

The streets were not that busy as well. In previous years, as soon as December came, you would have had a difficult time listening to your TV shows at night due to a bunch of kids going door to door singing Christmas carols. Some wear matching outfits, bringing their guitars and tambourines, have a portable microphone, and sing in different ranges. On the other hand, there were those who also brought their instruments made from scraps like bottlecaps, wires, and empty bottles. They may not have matching costumes or the best voices, but you would still appreciate their efforts in entertaining you in exchange for a few coins. This time, you’ll no longer hear those voices anymore—no more chaos, no more entertainment.

Come to think about it, once the “chaos” have been gone, you may still feel the essence of Christmas even though some things have changed. When you start to clear your mind and allow yourself to be creative, you might be surprised at what you come up with. For example, you may design a scrapbook that has written notes of appreciation to your friends or loved ones. You might want to share your talents in cooking or baking. If you’re tech-savvy, you could compile videos of your recent adventures with your best buddies. The point here is that you don’t really need to spend a huge amount of money to give something; just the mere fact that you put effort into it will be fine.

Beyond the Noise

This quieter Christmas creates a perfect setting for intimate gatherings with family and friends. This shift becomes a result of many people appreciating the importance of time, which I think they’ve learned from the recent pandemic. As many of us have been impacted by that recent event, I think more people have learned that life is indeed short, and while your family members are still with you, you make sure that you cherish them, spend time with them, and say the words “I love you," “Thank you,” and “I’m sorry.”.

This Christmas is a great opportunity to listen to the people you haven’t spoken to in a while, share stories, and clear up some misunderstandings, which hopefully may lead the both of you on a path towards healing.

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The simplicity of this year’s Christmas doesn’t mean that it should be boring or lonely. It simply allows you to look for new activities that you might enjoy doing. While some were already mentioned above, here are some other suggestions:

1. Start to declutter your things: If there are things in your house that you’re not able to use and still in good condition, it may be a time to give them to others who needed them the most. You don’t need to wrap it again if you’re the type who isn’t fond of regifting gifts. All you have to do is ask that person if he/she would be interested in that item; if the answer is yes, then there you have it. You didn’t just give something away just for the sake of “throwing it.” You were able to be thoughtful and make others happy. 

   
   

2. Stream movies: This is the perfect time to watch your favorite movies online. What shows are you still putting on hold because you’re busy? Now you may watch whatever you want. The best part is that you could also invite your family members to join you. Simply dim the lights, prepare your popcorn, arrange your sofa or bed, wear your most comfortable pajamas, and there you have it. A simple yet cozy movie night for your family. 

   
   

3. Write down everything you're grateful for this year: People might ask, “Neon, isn’t it too early to do that? Isn’t that supposed to be done before the year ends?" Well, my question back to them is, "Do you really need a “specific time” to be grateful?" Actually, we need to be grateful every day. The fact that you’re still breathing and healthy is already a big reason to be grateful for. Once you're done, I hope you’ll see that beyond the heartbreaks and disappointments you had this year, you'll realize that you're still blessed. 

   
   
   
   

As I experience a calmer and quieter Christmas this year, I find solace and joy in these new aspects of Christmas. While the noise and chaos may have faded, the essence of the season remains the same. This year has shown me the beauty in simplicity, a chance to focus on love, community, and personal reflection. It has reinforced the idea that sometimes less truly is more.

So I invite everyone to explore this quieter side of the season. Discover the joys that lie in simple moments, and you might find a new way to cherish Christmas for years to come.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎅❤️

*this blog used 10% of AI Tools