By J. Jala | 09:09 AM December 25, 2020
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap extended his holiday greetings to Boholanos on Thursday with a sense of optimism, saying that “In the simplicity and silence of this year, the true message of Christmas and all its blessings and secretes will be revealed” as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
In his Christmas message, Yap called the Christmas 2020 “ a very quiet Christmas”, saying millions still infected all over the world and over 1.5 million dead from Covid 19.
“But this year, not only are we discouraged from having parties and gatherings, but we are being asked to stay home as well. When we go out, we have to wear masks and hide our smiles while we keep our distance from each other,” Yap said in a statement.
He said if we go back more than two thousand years ago, this was the situation all over the world.
“The world was enveloped in darkness and silence. There was no Christmas nor birth of the Lord to celebrate. There was no message of love and hope,” he said.
He said this year’s Christmas may just be “the most genuine and honest Christmas that we will be celebrating in a very long time.”
My dear friends, let us not despair. It may be simpler and quieter this year, but Christmas need not be sad and lonely. We can find ways to stay in touch and use the message of love and forgiveness, hope and goodwill to warm us through the cold nights. In the simplicity and silence of this year, the true message of Christmas and all its blessings and secretes will be revealed to us.
“We are being asked to celebrate among our closest family members only and that is something we should welcome. Since we will be with just a few people, we will be able to talk and spend more time with our loved ones then we used to. Since there will be less parties, we do not need to focus on gift-giving and the insane rush of the holiday shopping season. Christmas songs will be sung with more passion and the Bible Christmas Story will be more interesting,” Yap said.
He said the message of the season is the Lord Jesus was born to save mankind.
“My dear friends, let us not despair. It may be simpler and quieter this year, but Christmas need not be sad and lonely. We can find ways to stay in touch and use the message of love and forgiveness, hope and goodwill to warm us through the cold nights. In the simplicity and silence of this year, the true message of Christmas and all its blessings and secretes will be revealed to us,” Yap said