Time to help the poor
In the early 1970s, a group of anthropologists claimed to have found a "lost tribe" in the jungles of the Philippines. This loincloth-wearing group lived in a state close to idealistic innocence, according to the academics.
Supposedly, they had never previously come into contact with outsiders, did not know the meaning of the words "hate", "war" or "conflict", never fought and had no weapons.
No one ever got to ask this so-called "Tasaday" tribe if they believed in God or Christmas, because they disappeared shortly after being exposed to the modern world -- academic scrutiny later revealed that their anthropological discoverers were frauds.
For those who have never heard of the Tasaday story, its conclusion would probably not be particularly surprising.
Most of us know that it is a struggle, whether in the forest or the urban jungle, to keep yourself and your family ahead. Most of the time, it is "us" against "them".
What is it that makes days like Christmas special? It is one of the few days in a year when we take time out to think of other people, to think of giving rather than taking, to think of people who are perhaps less fortunate than us, to think of peace and goodwill towards our fellow men.
Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the day God offered the ultimate gift: His own son as the savior of the world. In the nearly 2,000 years since, this celebration of giving has taken on some odd and apparently contradicting forms.
Whether in Asia or Europe, or in the midst of a Southern Hemisphere summer, Christmas is now invariably associated with camels and reindeer, desert stables and Frosty the snowman. But should the packaging and bunting be torn away, underneath it is invariably the same: It's about offering gifts and receiving them. And family.
In the end, friends come and go. The world changes and leaves us behind. But through it all, we always have our family ... and Christmas.
So, as another year draws to a close, we wish everybody a Merry Christmas, and urge all our readers to enjoy their time with families and friends. We also suggest that if you have the time to scan the skies, try to see if you can spot a bright shining star. Pause momentarily and ask where it is leading us.
Unfortunately, it won't be leading us to a land without hate, conflict or misery. But in this big city of ours, where one has to be tough to survive, we must not be disappointed. Its future might not look so good, given all its problems. But at least it breathes life into all those chasing their dreams, whatever they may be. Once we realize this, we can then pray that the future will be better.
-- The Nation, Bangkok