Dear Santa, for peace and goodwill

Dear Santa:
It’s been ages since I wrote you last.
How have you been all this time?
Pretty busy (an understatement?), I suppose, at this period of the year. As you are well aware, Christmas is nigh. You need no reminding that children have drawn up their Christmas wish list. If you will recall, I was no exception. My favorite toy then was at the top of my hierarchy of best-liked gifts, with the least preferred ones in descending order. And you never disappointed me.

The tradition of the Magi’s presentation of the symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh was passed on to generations since the birth of Christ. I must say it is a beautiful custom that is worth emulating. Not only does it foster the acts of gift-giving and sharing, it strengthens family cohesiveness as well.

However, as one grows older the list becomes less whimsical and veers more toward the practical. Gift-giving has taken an entirely different dimension nowadays, especially with the proliferation of mechanical gadgets. There’s an array of gifts to choose from depending on one’s needs, preferences and, of course, age.

Time was when we were content with just a rag doll. Then it became a walking doll, and eventually graduated to a talking doll. What will they think of next, a doll that eats? It’s not farfetched given the almost limitless technology that modern science has imparted to humankind. On the downside, though, I dread the day when humans will be replaced by robots. Heaven forbid. It’s not part of the Divine Plan.

For sure, people my age are wont to wish not so much for material things as for the abstract, like love, peace and happiness—fundamental components of a respectable life that don’t come with a price tag. These are the intangibles that will redound to our meaningful and comfortable existence no matter how brief it will be for some. Alas, these are being threatened by conditions obtaining presently in our midst.

There is no letup on the EJKs, the profanities, and the word war that is being waged in social media and that is pulling people apart. We are not only contaminating with toxic wastes the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, and the food that we eat; we are also polluting the airwaves with fake news, post-truths and alternative facts. They not only ruin reputations; they kill, too. And those who propagate them do so almost with impunity.

In a civil society discordant voices should be able to agree to disagree without breaking the norms on decency and justice. Whatever happened to the “good manners and right conduct” that we were taught in school? Will we be less of who we are if we stand up for what is right, true and just? Perhaps going back to the basics may not be such a bad idea.

Christmas is a joyous occasion, especially for families. Reunions and get-togethers summon relatives from far and near to rekindle the ties that bind and solidify them. It is a propitious time to take stock of ourselves and review what we did right or wrong the past year. And this brings me to why I’m writing you this letter, Santa.

If an end to the killings, drug-related or not, lies and political bickering is not forthcoming, can we have at least a truce or respite during the Christmas season from these abominations that destroy the only country that we’ve got? Can families, especially the marginalized, partake of their Noche Buena without a member missing? Can we wish for those with manifold blessings to share them with the last, the least and the lost? Can we celebrate Christmas the way the Christ Child has ordained it to be?

Here’s hoping you will be generous with me as you were in past Christmases.

Romana F. Gella, 71, says she still looks forward to Christmas year in and year out.