As the prophets of doom are busy eating their chips, which will expire on 2014, while downing their soda, which is best before 2015, and opening their canned corned beef, which has an expiry date of 2016, we can only say “told you so! Better luck in 3012!”

While doomsday prophecy went kaput for the nth time, what’s certain is, a couple of hours from now Christmas will once again be upon us. The usual rush, the giving of gifts and the general feeling of goodwill prevailing.

But what really is the meaning of December the 25th for us? What is blessing? Is it the money we’ve made? is it the job we have? Is it the new ride in the garage? The top of the line gadget or the new expensive décor in the house? Is it the kind of family and friends we have? Is it the 100 pesos we gave the street carolers? Is it the crisp 20 peso bill we handed the bantay-your-kotse boy? The answer, as comedian Jimmy Santos would say then, is “plentiful.”

As we look up to thank Him for all that came our way this year, good or bad, let me share to you a letter written more than 150 years ago. It was found during the American Civil War penned by an unknown Confederate soldier who fought a bitter war which divided and pitted family, friends and neighbors against one another.

It speaks of failures and trials and, for him, the real meaning of the word “blessed.”

“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
 I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
 
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
 
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
 
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
 
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
 
I got nothing I asked for-
But everything I had hoped for.
 
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men,
Most richly blessed.”
May we count and thank Him for the true blessings in our life.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

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