Op-Ed: A Christmas of Hope

When we welcomed the year 2020 last New Year's Eve, we have no idea how perilous the rest of the year will be. This year has been challenging enough, and a lot has happened that changed the course of our lives. We are all affected, whether it is good or bad, that a lot has been at stake. Some of us lost our jobs, while some mourned the death of a loved one. The year 2020 is full of losses, and nothing can replace the pain we have felt or the compensation we have lost.

A lot of people are wondering whether Christmas should still be celebrated this year. All of us are advised to stay at home, and remain isolated for the rest of the days until everyone is inoculated by this savior vaccine that we have been waiting for months before.

It is saddening to know that a lot of Christmas traditions will not be celebrated this year. Isolation is hard in this part of the season where we should be celebrating and eating, meeting families we have not seen a while, and hosting Christmas parties. Amid the pandemic, some people ask if celebrating will be appropriate when others are suffering or hurting.

But Christmas is also about hope, a preparation for the things to come. Marking Christmas with despair will not help our spirits up. Christmas is a good reminder that despite everything, regardless of what we have lost, we can look forward to the year 2021 with confidence that everything will pivot around for good.

Let us not let this virus destroy our families. Our loved ones deserve better. 

Happy Christmas.

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