A Christmas less noisy

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Among the things noted by residents of Bacolod City this Christmas was the reduction of firecracker blasts compared to what had been heard in both residential and commercial areas in previous celebrations. This is s heartening sign that could mean that, finally, our people are realizing that noise-makers and rowdiness should not be part of this holy day when what we are celebrating is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Somehow, probably because of some misinformation about the way this season is to be observed, our people had gotten into the practice of exploding firecrackers and other forms of pyrotechnics when midnight, the time believe to have been the same as when the Blessed Mother Mary gave birth to her only Son, comes around.

How such a misconception about the manner of welcoming this blessed event had come about is not known, but, somehow, a confusion between the holy day and the welcoming of a new year had been observed, especially in our part of the world. The more subdued celebration between Monday and last Tuesday is, hopefully an indication that our people have realized, and acknowledged this day as one that should be greeted with peace, love and prayer, and with singing and rejoicing, the way the angels did on that very first Christmas Day, 2007 years ago.

We therefore hope that, henceforth, our people, especially those who are avowed Chrisitians, will remember this, and reserve their more exuberant celebrations for appropriate festive days. While tradition makes us greet each other with cheerful wishes for a “Merry Christmas”, let us not forget what the occasion is all about.

Let our next Christmas be merry, but not raucous so that it drowns out the message of the day.*