A Prayer for Schools

"Train up the child in the way they should go, so when they are old they will not depart from it."

- Proverbs

You are the great teacher

Who taught us to love one another

Teach us again to love our neighbors even our enemies

Through the schools and institutions you have made.

Amen.

 

A PK's Quarantine Birthday

My daughter is a PK. It is my youngest daughter's third birthday.

The whole month of May, up until the birthday of my daughter, I was confined to meeting people only in the hospital and those I meet in the online meetings and communications. One of them was our first online meeting with the PKs last May 12. 'Cher Lhyne, Amen, Soc, Joyce, 'Te Gladz and Bhin were there for this historic event. I was so blessed to be with these wonderful children of God.

A PK has unique experiences that only fellow PK can understand. This PK (Pastor's Kids) group was my core support group when I was in Quezon City almost 10 years ago. Our PK group had been a blessing not only to me but to many other people as well because they understand that more than being a PK, they are God's children. Recognizing that you are God's child means a lot. This group has been able to reach out to other younger PKs providing support, guidance and friendship. We were able to help poor PKs go to school. We raised funds together to send help to victims of calamities and disaster. We have prayed, had fellowship with other PKs and led worship services too. We also played and had fun. We also love to travel together and visit places. We have shared many special occasions - birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptism - and many other celebrations together over the years. We have fostered a relationship for a lifetime that we hope others will experience as well. I hope my daughter, also a PK, will grow up and find a PK tribe that will be her friends and celebrate with her special occasions and her birthdays in the future. 

I was able to come home to and join my family after more than 2 months of Covid19 response and quarantine. Nothing will separate us from celebrating special events like this. Just like what James 1:17 said,"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Birthdays are gifts from God. Birthdays should be celebrated. We did. It was a quarantine themed-birthday party. Of course, a Princess cake was in order. But we did not have visitors. It was just us in the house and the family living in the compound, and those are the only people that matter. Family and friends who care for you and love you. It is always special to spend momentous occasions with people dear to your heart.


It was a wonderful day full of fun and happiness. It was a also a great day to remember how God loves us as his children. 

It is always a blessing to spend time with the children of God.

Three Things to Love about Child Friendly Worship Services in Isabela

I have always advocated for the inclusion of children in the worship service. The worship is not exclusive for adults only. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14 NIV) That is why I love attending worship services in Isabela because they are intentional in being inclusive of children. Here are three things I love about our Child-Friendly Worship Services:

1. One of the Methodist tradition I appreciate is allowing the children to take part in the Lord's Supper. In fact, children are called first to take the Holy Communion before the adults. 
2. Another thing that I truly appreciate is the participation of the children in the litrugy. These churches make sure that during the worship service, the kids are part of the Litrugy with their participation in the lighting of candles and opening of the Bible. These seems a small task but this ritual is very formative and sends a strong message on the role of children in worship. I especially admire churches that have included children and junior youth in the choir.
3. Another thing that I love about churches is the importance given to the growth and development of children. While there is Sunday School, it is important to have a dedicated time for children during worship even with a simple prayer time for them. The churches here in Isabela have Children's moments for teaching kids about the Lectionary Readings at least once a month or have a prayer time for chldren alternatively. 

Santiago Central United Methodist Church is one of the churches in Isabela that has continued this practice of allowing kids to take part in the Lord's Supper and giving them a space in worship. If you want to bring your kids during the First Sunday of the Month for Holy Communion, they have 2 worship services in the morning (7 AM and 9 AM) and another Vesper Service in the afternoon at 6 PM.

Santiago Central UMC is located along Abuag St in downtown Santiago City.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Whose birthday is it anyway? Who is receiving the gift?

We often get lost in all the festivities. That is a common reflection we get during Christmas. It is always good that we get reminders that we keep Christ in Christmas.

But one common problem we tend to neglect during Christmas is the gift giving. We often have exchange gifts as part of our Christmas celebrations. We received gifts... big... small... food... novelties... wish list... dream gift... and more. We even enjoy wrapping the gifts we will give to loved ones.

How excited must have been the Father who was getting ready to wrap the gift He will give to save the world. That gift is more precious than any other gift in the world. That gift is wrapped when we received it. The gift is wrapped in baby clothing. Have we dared open the gift? Have we unwrapped the gift God has given us? Again, we have put Christmas about us. We have focused on the gift that WE will receive from God.

Whose birthday is it anyway? Who should be receiving the gift? Who should be giving the gift?

New Year

New year offer new hope. It gives us a fresh start. It allows us to realign our goals or set new ones. God is the God of time and new beginnings. This New Year is exciting. For us, everything will be new. New adventure. In Santiago City, Isabela. New addition in our family. In my career. In our business. In our health. In the kids studies. God places in our hearts new goals that will help us grow according to God's will.

God makes everything new and offers new hope with the New Year. Happy New Year.

The girl effect: The clock is ticking

Early teenage pregnancy is a problem in our country that needs attention. In my practice, I have seen young teenage mothers. I even had a 12-year old girl with her second pregnancy. How can such things happen?

One of the things that greatly affects our society is the rising number of unwanted early pregnancy. Young women as early as age 8 are being  readied for arranged marriages. This is a tall matter as culture plays a big factor here. However, health promotion and educating the community can help them understand the health implications of such practices.We need to do something about this. The clock is ticking.

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Learn how to start a Health Ministry in your church. Invite us to help you conduct seminars and workshops. 

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Hospitality

Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church visits the Philippines on January 14 to 18, 2015.

The Roman Catholic Church members are excited to welcome the Pope. But not all non-RC are as welcoming. Some did not welcome the Pope's economic impact as private businesses closed including banks, schools and airports. Other non-Christians did not welcome the festivities and dismissed it as religious fanaticism. Some other non-RC did not welcome the Pope who reminded them of the colonization and abuses of Roman Catholics in the past.   Some non-RC Christians still did not welcome the Pope's arrival simply because they hold beliefs different from them.

That night, everybody in the family is in the living room watching the news about the arrival of the Pope. My 5 year-old son noted how everybody is watching the TV intensely.

"What's happening?," he asked.

His sister replied, "the Philippines have a visitor. He is the Pope."

"We should get ready then and welcome him also," my son replied.

"We are not Roman Catholics. Do you know what is a Pope?" her sister answered back.

"I don't know what is a Pope. But if he is a visitor, we should welcome him," my son replied.



Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9.

Hospitality on Christmas

We went to a non-Christian country during the holiday season. There was a holiday spirit but not necessarily a Christmas celebration. People were coming from different places to have a vacation. We looked for a place where we feel welcome as visitors. But no one bothered. Everybody was too busy with their own stuff. Everybody was settled in their own comfortable places. We stayed in a backpackers inn as there were no more available hotels during this time.

It was quite an experience going to our inn. We had to walk for almost a kilometer from the nearest train station before we could reach the place. We walked carrying four big luggage plus our backpacks while tagging along 3 kids and walking on sore foot and broken ankle. When we reached the inn, the inn was full. We had to wait until late in the afternoon because the room still needs cleaning and the previous room occupant has not yet checked out. So we had to wait in the crowded lobby - standing. It was really a tiring but learning experience for me.

Our Christmas vacation made me reflect on the story of Mary and Joseph as they were traveling to Bethlehem and were looking for an inn that night. All the inn was full. Maybe they were as tired as we were, NO, much more tired as they had to walk and ride the donkey while we rode the bus and train. They had to walk for several kilometers while we only did one. We were fortunate to find an inn, although we needed to wait before we could settle in, but Mary and Joseph had no room for an inn. And so they settled for the manger. Our Christmas story this year was quite an experience that will change my perspective of the merry making holidays. Hospitality takes on a whole new meaning. The Christmas story of Mary and Joseph and the unborn baby changed the world. Do we have a room for them in our hearts?

Maagang Pagturo ng Christian Perfection

Maagang pagturo ng Christian Perfection ni Neki Soriano, MD. MDiv.

Sermon given during the Joy Kiddy Garden Sunday of Kamuning United Methodist Church last February 23, 2014.

Ngayon ay Joy Kiddy Garden Sunday. Ito ang araw kung saan pinapahalagahan natin ang ministry natin sa edukasyon ng mga bata. Ngayon din ay bahagi pa rin ng Love Month at sa Linggong ito ay ang pagmamahal sa mga taong may karamdaman. Ang ating special focus sa linggong ito ay ang ministry natin ay sa mga people with HIV and AIDS. Itong dalawang ito ay nagtutugma sa ating teksto na patungkol sa pagtawag ng Panginoon sa lahat ng Kristiyano na mahalin ang kapwa at maging perpekto gaya ng ama nating nasa langit na perpekto.

Bago tayo magbulay-bulay, alam ba ninyo kung bakit marami sa mga Metodista ang walang maalalang spiritual birthday? Ako hindi ko maalala ang spiritual birthday ko? Alam nyo bakit? Mamaya, ikukuwento ko.

Ang nais kong pagbulay-bulayan natin ngayong umaga ay ang Christian perfection. “Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.” Ngunit madalas iba ang itinuturo sa atin ng ating society. Ang pop culture natin ay nagsasabing Nobody’s Perfect. At dahil dito, madami sa atin ang hindi na nangangarap ng Christian perfection. OK na sa kanila ang maging makasalanan. OK na rin sa mga Kristiyano na hindi umasam na maging perpekto katulad ng Ama niyang nasa langit. Ok na ang hindi perpekto ang pag-ibig natin sa sarili, sa kapwa, sa kalikasan at sa lahat ng nilalang ng Diyos. That is the problem.

I would like to share with you a report from the World Vision on Spiritual Nurture of Children:

-           The moral values of Filipino children and youth are said to be deteriorating over the past years...

o   Based on the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS)

§  3 out of 10 youths are smokers

§  Most of them are 13 to 15 years old

o   The 2008 Philippine National Health and Demographic Survey (NHDS) reports that:

§  3 out of 10 women ages 15-24 have begun child bearing

§  Among women 25-49 y.o., 3% had their first sexual intercourse by the age of 15.

o   In the United Nationals Population Fund (UNFPA) 2011 report, there was a 70% rise of teenage pregnancy rate in just ten years (1999 to 2009).

o   In the 2011 Family Health Survey conducted by National Statistics Office it shows that 7.4% (320,162) of the women aged 15-19 years old are already mothers with 10,483 mothers started bearing a child at the age of 15 years old.

o   AIDS Registry in the Philippines reported 10,514 people living with HIV/AIDS (DOH, 2013). It has been noted that the root cause of sexually transmitted infection are risky health behaviour, multiple sex partner, same sex relationship, early sex debut, unprotected sex, even indiscriminate drug use, and exploitative relationships. 

We are not condemning people with HIV and AIDS or those with lifestyle diseases. We though acknowledge that deteriorating moral values are contributory to these conditions. The problem with the deteriorating moral values of our society today begins with our inability to nurture our children towards Christian perfection... early in life.

Ano ang dapat ituro? What should we teach our children?

Dapat turuan natin ang ating mga anak na maging ganap dahil an gating Ama sa langit ay ganap. We should teach our Children to live a holy life, “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Our readings from Leviticus and from Matthew remind us to be perfect, to be holy. John Wesley, ang founder ng Metodista, ay tinawag at tinuro sa atin ang Christian Perfection.

Pero ano nga ba ang Christian perfection?

Ang turo ni John Wesley sa mga Metodista ay: dapat ang buhay ng tao ay isang paglalakbay patungo sa paggaya kay Hesus at maging katulad niya na ganap o banal. Banal ang puso sa pagmamahal sa kapwa, sa kalikasan, sa lipunan at sa Diyos. Ito ay ang perfect relationship with God sa pamamagitan ng banal na puso na merong banal na pag-ibig. A state of relationship with God wherein our heart is perfected with a perfect love for God.

Ang teksto natin ngayon ay nagpapakita ng 2 halimbawa ng perpektong pagmamahal sa diyos. Two examples about loving God – two occasions where we are instructed to be Perfect as God is Perfect. Una, sa Leviticus tinuturo kung paano natin sisimulan ang paglalakbay sa Christian perfection. Ika niya, dapat daw mahalin natin ang ating kapwa. Sa Israel noong una kung saan sila ay isang agrarian country, itinuturo kung paano nila ipapakita ang pagmamahal nila sa kanilang kapwa. Eto ang ilang halimbawa:

-          Magtira kayo ng mga aanihin ng mga pulubi para sa kanilang pamilya; huwag niyong pupulutin yung nahulog sa ubasan.

o   Alam ba ninyo sa panahon natin ngayon, yung pagkain natin sa restaurant ginagawang pagpag ng mga kapatid nating walang makain? Pero kung ubos yung manok na inorder mo sa McDo, tapos pati buto nginuya mo pa, wala nang matitira sa mga mahihirap na umaasa sa pagpag.

-          Huwag kayong magnanakaw o magdadaya.

o   Kapag sinasabi yung pandaraya at pagnanakaw ay agad kung naaalala yung pork barrel scam. Nagtataka talaga ako, malamang hindi tinuruan noong kindergarten ang mga opisyales na ito na masama ang magnakaw kahit limang piso lang yan.

-          Huwag magnanakaw ng sweldo at ipagpapabukas

o    Magpasweldo naman kayo ng nasa oras. Lagi nating nadirinig yung delayed ang sweldo sa gobyerno, yung mga doctor sa Manila wala pa daw sweldo. Eh yung mga kasambahay niyo?

-          Huwag manlalait ng bingi o maglagay ng katitisuran ng bulag

o   Mga kapatid, huwag niyong pag-tripan yung mga maysakit. Lalo na yung mga may HIV and AIDS. Magbubulungan sa simbahan, “Uy, si babae may HIV yan kasi iba-iba ang kinakasama.” May sakit na nga pinagtsitsismisan at sinisiraan pa.

o   Social stigma and discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS is a social sin! Tignan niyo yung katabi niyo. If he or she has AIDS, tatabihan niyo ba siya?

-          Huwag ninyong kapootan sa inyong puso ang inyong kapatid o kapitbahay, huwag maghiganti

o   Huwag daw tayo magtanim ng galit sa kapwa, tanda ito ng pagmamahal natin sa kanila.

Eto ang ilan sa mga halimbawa ng pagmamahal sa kapwa.

Sa Matthew naman itinuturo kung paano natin ipagpapatuloy ang paglalakbay sa Christian perfection. Mula sa pagmamahal sa kapwa ang paglalakbay natin bilang Kristiyano ay magtuturo sa atin na mahalin din kahit ating mga kaaway. Sa kaharian ng Diyos, hindi lang ang mga malapit sa buhay natin ang mahal natin. Pati ang mga nananakit sa atin, tumutuligsa sa atin at naninira sa atin ay dapat mahalin natin. Nagbigay uli ng halimbawa sa Mathew ngpagmamahal kahit sa ating mga kaaway:

-          Ang pagturn ng other cheek ay hindi para masaktan ka ng lalo kundi para mapahiya ang nanakit sa iyo na gusto kang saktan

o   Ito ay dahil kahit anong gawin niyang paninira at pananakit sa iyo ay hindi ka niya kayang saktan dahil sa pagmamahal mo sa kanya. Ang tunay na pagmamahal sa kapwa ay hindi nawawala kahit na ikaw ay masaktan man. Iba ito sa carino brutal o yung sa violence against women and children.

o   Ito ay parang si Annaliza, yung bidang babae sa teleserye sa hapon. Kahit ilang beses siyang saktan at itakwil ng kanyang kapatid na si Arlene ay mahal pa rin ni Annaliza si Arlene.

-          Ang pagbigay mo sa iyong damit kapag hinubaran ka ay tanda ulit nga tunay na pagmamahal dahil hindi ka mapapahiya bagkus sila ang mahihiya sa ginawa nila sa iyo.

o   Ganito ang kultura noong unang panahon. Ang pagmamahal mo sa kapwa ay tunay at ganap na kahit laitin ka ay ang nanlalait ang mapapahiya sa kanyang ginagawa dahil buo pa rin ang pag-ibig mo sa kapwa mo.

-          Na kahit utusan ka na maglakad ng isang milya ay sasama ka pa ng isang higit pa dahil hindi ang utos nila ang sinusundo mo bagkus ang pag-ibig mo sa kapwa ang siyang nagtulak sa iyo na lumakad pa.

o   Tinanong ko minsan ang isang missionary kung bakit siya tumutulong ipaalam ang HIV and AIDSsa mga tao sa simbahan kahit na ang mga simbahan mismo ang nagtakwil at nandiri sa kanya. Ika niya, hindi dahil sa sweldo kundi dahil mahal niya ang mga taong tumutuligsa sa kanya at ayaw niyang patuloy silang gumawa ng kasalanan sa panlalait sa kanya.

Ang tanong ngayon, kelan natin sisimulan ang paglalakbay na ito ng Christian Perfection? When do we start our spiritual journey and discipleship?

The answer is simple. We start them early, as early as Kindergarten. We learn about loving God and faithful servants in our formation as kindergarten students. That is also the reason why I sent my kids to a UMC church. We sent them to Joy Kiddy Garden because we believe in their vision. The JKGLC believes every child is created in God’s image and treasure from the lord. It cultivates every child’s uniqueness according to God’s mandates and blueprint to become well-rounded and faithful servants. JKGLC aspires to be at the forefront of Christian witness through education. We also want our kids to be well-rounded disciples and learn from a Christian environment that provides  developmentally appropriate learning experience. That is another reason why I sent my kids to Joy Kiddy Garden.

Pero garantiya ba na magiging mabuting Christian ang mga batang ito? Even if we start them early, can we still fall out of the journey to Christian perfection?

Yes, John Wesley taught that we can fall out of relationship with God. Kapag nagakakasala tayo ay lumalayo tayo sa diyos at nasisira muli ang relasyon natin sa kanya at ang paglalakbay natin sa Christian perfection ay naantala. Kapag hindi natin minamahal ang kapwa natin at ang mga kaibigan natin ay mahirap tayong umusad sa Chrsitian perfection. Saan pa papunta ang buhay Kristiyano natin kung hindi tayo umuusad?

If we can fall out of grace, can we go back into our journey? Puede pa ba tayong bumalik sa paglalakbay patungong Chrsitian perfection? God’s prevenient grace calls us to love God and accept God’s forgiveness. We can back slide but we can still love God again and get back on track. That is the Good News my dear brothers and sisters. Kahit ilang beses pa tayong matisod at magkamali ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay nananatili. We can still pursue Christian perfection even after we have committed sin.

In conclusion, nais kung sagutin ang tanong bakit maraming metodista ang walang matandaang spiritual birthday?

Tayong metodista ay makasalanan. Huwag na tayong pa- “as if” righteous. In our faith journey we have fallen back countless times. But we can always return and ask God for forgiveness. Everytime we ask God we renew our relationship and we renew our spiritual journey and experience another spiritual rebirth. Puedeng marami tayong spiritual birthday sa ating journey as many times as we fall out of relationship with God. But the first birthday is always special and we always hope that we never fall back.

Our Christian values as a society is deteriorating because we have failed to teach Christian perfection even to our children. Pakinggan natin ang utos ng Panginoon, turuan natin an gating mga bata ng maaga at bumalik din tayo sa ating paglalakbay sa Christian perfection. Makinig tayo sa utos ng Biblia: “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Thank you from the Philippines

The Philippines is one in showing gratitude to the whole world for their solidarity and support to us.

Three months after the biggest Typhoon of 2013 hit the Philippines, we are slowly recovering.


I could not forget the gratitude of the Barangay Captain in an isolated town in Leyte when we came to visit them. He was so thankful for the simple presence of our group. When all the other towns and barangays were getting support, the people in their community were wondering if help will ever come. I could see his face lit up when he saw our group. He said that their isolation for several days made him wonder if people care about them. That was why he was happy for the simple fact that people are coming their way to see how they are doing. "We felt God's love through your presence."

It is indeed a great blessing to know that people care for you. Just knowing that people are concerned about your situation is already something to be grateful. A simple, "kumusta?" goes a long way. The outpouring of support is overwhelming.  The Filipino people are resilient because they have felt God did not leave them and still love them through the people who were willing channels of blessing.

More than the material support, the time and the effort we have received, the care and love you have shown is most appreciated.

To the biggest companies, governments or charitable organization up to the little kid who broke his piggy bank and the children who wrote their prayers for the Philippines... Thank you.

A Different Encounter with God this December

December is always unique and special. Yesterday, I had a different encounter with God. We went to the House of Refuge but it was not a church. There were songs of praise and worship but there were also sounds of laughter and joy. There were children all around and some adults too. Anywhere I looked, God was there.

Yesterday, December 8, 2013, we celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday in an orphanage. There were more than 20 boys and girls in that orphanage. We prayed, we sang, they danced, we ate good food and we had fun.

I was amazed by the ministry of this place. There were three house mothers taking care of all these little children, nurturing them and taking care of them. But they said a whole community of faith, the Bread of Life, showers them the love and support that they may grow according to God's plan for them.

The place is three storey's high and has rooms for girls and boys. They provide enough space for them to play. They have enough food for each kid. They can eat nutritious food three times a day. The children go to school. And they get enough school supply for them to do well. The place is amazingly decent considering it is run mostly from charity and donations. I was just blessed how this place can minister to children for decades now with support from the faith community. I can only imagine the dedication and the commitment of the loving people who showed the fruits of their faith.

I reflect back on the many big organized churches scattered around the world, yes, UMC one of them. I know our churches have made great advances in educating children with our pioneering work in kindergarten school. But I know there are people who have hearts to have a ministry with the orphans. I know KKFI ministers with street children. But I have yet to encounter a single local church who has a ministry for orphaned kids. I have yet to see a SEC recognized institution ministering to children supported by a single local church. I know there must be one out there. If not, will your church have the heart to start one?

What to tell the parent beside you when they bottle-feed their babies during Sunday worship?

This month of October is Children's month. The theme is focused on fighting poverty through upholding Children's right. This week, I gave a short devotion on the rights of a child to the basic needs like food and healthcare. These basic rights to food and healthcare starts among infants by giving them exclusive breastfeeding for six months, not bottle-fed from milk formulas. Breastfeeding is the right of every children especially babies 0-6 months old.

Christians should be at the forefront of promoting exclusive breastfeeding simply because it is God's design. If we use properly what God has purposely designed, we are worshiping God. Simply, breastfeeding is an act of worship!

Let me highlight what Isaiah 66:11-13 assumes when it used breastfeeding as an illustration how God comforts and encourages those who faithfully worship God. The Bible tells us that breastfeeding:
-   nourishes ("nurse and be satisfied, v.11)
-   gives comfort ("be satisfied from her consoling breasts, v11)
-   supplies all the needs ("I will extend peace to her... and the wealth of the nations..., v12)
-   strengthens relationships ("be carried on her arms, v12)
-   comfort and security ("a mother comforts her child, v13)

Should churches just be a place of prayer? or should we intentionally have an area for breastfeeding mothers while they are in worship? Do you church actively advocate breastfeeding or its just another sermon on a Sunday morning? What do you tell the parent or guardian beside you when they bottle feed their babies during Sunday worship?

For some devotional materials on what the Bible says are the benefits of breastfeeding, visit: 
http://prezi.com/gmkh0acorfgl/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Where is The Longest Birthday Celebrations

Have you ever wondered where is the longest birthday celebrations held?

The Philippines will have to own that distinction. The Philippines is that country where the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated for almost four months.  My little kid is quick to remind me that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. And Christmas celebrations in the Philippines start as early as the "ber" months sets in.

Today is September 2. When I opened my radio this morning to listen to the morning news, I heard my station DZAS play my very first Christmas Song this year, "Feliz Navidad." Christmas songs in Septmeber. That is not unusual here in the Philippines. The "ber" months are associated with the rainy (typhoon) season plus the cold breeze of the air. Such is the atmosphere of the cold nights of Christmas. So one can say, the cold breeze of Christmas is now felt on the air this early in September. That cold breeze will continue until the months of December, even early January.

 So, from the "ber" months starting this September, until the last days of Christmas on January, people will be celebrating Christmas. Most Filipinos don't mind. We shouldn't. Especially if we really believe in our hearts that we must not only celebrate Christmas during December 25 but we must make everyday feel like Christmas. Now, that will leave us with a year long birthday celebration.