Christmas starts early in the Philippines – like September early. We don’t even wait for Halloween to finish and we’re already gearing up for December. Proof of this is the not-so-subtle introduction of Christmas music inside malls.

As we enter the 2010 Christmas season I’d like to encourage you to prepare properly. Just as it’s important to stretch before working out, or to carbo-load before a long race, it is also important that we prepare ourselves for the holidays. Here are some suggestions on how you, your family, and your friends can prepare:

Prepare Your Spirit
Let’s not forget that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birthday. It’s sad that we forget this sometimes. It’s like attending someone’s birthday party, eating the food, playing the games, and going home with a goodie-bag without even greeting the celebrant. Let’s not forget the reason for the season. Let’s prepare our spirit in prayer and reflection; remembering that very famous song’s words “Man will live forevermore because of Christmas day.”


Prepare Your Heart
Your heart is all about the things you love and desire. Prepare your heart by checking your values and making sure you don’t get caught up in the trimmings, and trappings, and hustle, and bustle. The best way to prepare your heart is to make it your goal to give generously this Christmas. Think about how you can be a blessing to someone else. If you’re like me and don’t have much to spend, you can be more practical and spend time with someone, or give a friend a call, or participate in an outreach as a group. Be creative, be sincere, be open, and enjoy the fulfillment that comes with giving.

Prepare Your Mind
Christmas is a time when our minds seem to get overloaded with a million things going through it. Prepare your mind by focusing on your tasks, completing them right away, and not being complacent. This allows you to be efficient and opens up time for you to enjoy the Holidays. Prioritize your activities, schedule them wisely, and learn to let go of work when enjoying the festivities. This is something I need to learn to do myself.

Prepare Your Body
I’ve already heard a lot of people say, “I’m so fat already, and Christmas is only beginning.” I always find it funny because here’s someone admitting that they’re now living in a body they’re not happy with but they’re already expecting the situation to get worse. Instead of worrying, do something. Just because the holidays are busy doesn’t mean you can’t make time to exercise. Just because you’re invited to a hundred parties doesn’t mean you have to show up for each one, drink in each one, eat in each one, and stay late in each one. You don’t have to try the lechon or the turkey everywhere you go. You can actually say a very simple but powerful word, “NO!” Prepare your body by scheduling workout days in advance and deciding not to stuff yourself. Try to get as much rest as you can because for sure things will be busy.


Start Your Own Traditions
The word tradition means to “hand down” or “to surrender” to another generation. Christmas is full of traditions passed on to us by our parents, our parents’ parents and so on. Traditions are a great way for people to experience the essence of Christmas. My encouragement for you is to start your own traditions that share to others, especially your families, the values that you stand for. Make these values come alive with an activity. Make it fun and educational. Most of all make the reason, Jesus Christ, the center of your tradition.

I know it’s too early so I won’t wish you a merry Christmas yet. Instead, my prayer for you is that you prepare your spirit, heart, mind, and body, and that you enjoy each day as we move closer to Christmas.


David Bonifacio
Naturalhealth.ph
Be Healthy – Naturally