"At Christmas, all roads lead home."—Marjorie Holmes
Hello, hivers, how are you? I hope you're always in good condition. In today's blog, allow me to recount our Christmas experience.
Ever since I moved to the city, going back to the province has become a rare occurrence for me. So, almost every Christmas, I welcomed it in the city. There was a particular instance when I even welcomed the holiday alone, and although I wished to return home, it wasn't feasible due to either being occupied or the transportation to the province being fully booked. So, I've really grown accustomed to not being able to go home every Christmas.
However, in this instance, not much has changed,except that I'm not welcoming Christmas alone; I have someone with me.
As Christmas Eve approached, on December 24, my partner and I decided to attend a church service.Due to the time we departed from home, we opted to attend the Mass at San Fernando El Rey Parish Church near the plaza in Liloan, with hopes of making it to the mass.Fortunately, we made it to the service despite the late hour.
After the Mass, we lit candles briefly in preparation for God's upcoming birthday, expressing gratitude for all the blessings and protection bestowed upon us. I prayed about all my worries, and afterward, I felt a profound sense of relief.
After leaving the church, we opted to take a leisurely stroll in the plaza to appreciate the festive decorations.
The plaza was bustling with people taking photos and soaking in the festive atmosphere. Of course, we also took the opportunity to capture some pictures.
After a brief stay, we made the decision to head home.After leaving the plaza, we immediately looked for transportation, and due to the approaching Christmas, the vehicles were nearly at full capacity. Fortunately, we spotted one with available seats and promptly boarded.
Once we got off, we planned to eat at Jollibee, but all the fast-food chains we passed were closed.
Consequently, we settled for a milk tea shop that was fortunately still open. After a short wait for our orders, we headed home to commence our Christmas celebration.
Upon our arrival, the sounds of joy from our neighbors' celebrations were audible. Some were singing and drinking outside, while others were busy preparing their feasts.
We didn't prepare anything for the upcoming Christmas because our original plan was to dine out. Unexpectedly, establishments closed early. But still, we feel incredibly blessed as someone generously shared with us the food they had prepared for Christmas. Even though we hadn't made any preparations, we were still able to savor delicious dishes, all thanks to our thoughtful neighbor.
Minutes before midnight, we checked the time together and joyfully greeted each other, welcoming Christmas surrounded by the noise of firecrackers and greetings from our neighbors.
Our Christmas celebration turned out to be a joyful affair, and despite the absence of elaborate preparations, I am grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to welcome Christmas with my healthy and happy family.