What kind of Christmas is this?

Giving Gifts, exchanging cards and the like. These are the things most of us do during Christmas. These things give us joy and happiness....and I wonder how my Christmas would be without it until...

One lazy afternoon, when I was on my way to the bus station, I saw five street children playing along the streets of Mabini @ Talisay City. All of them were barefooted as they run along the streets, playing. 

I can hear them laugh and I can see the smiles in their faces---smiles that I can't explain. With all the Christmas lights on the streets, I heard one of them said "Sadya,sadya gd ya maghampang kung Christmas noh?"(It's really very fun to play during Christmas right?). 

I wonder how and why they are happy. It's just a chasing game and I doubt if they had their lunch. 

Then a question stroke my mind that time? "Are they really happy?"

...and I answered my question while still looking at them, "True, they are really happy."

Then, I remembered when I was a kid....

When I was a kid, I view Christmas as the best holiday because I receive so many gifts coming from my Parents, relatives and Ninongs and Ninangs (although my Ninongs and Ninangs don't give gifts now...and I don't know why. hmmm...) and I am very happy when I receive gifts and I expect more and more.

But now, my perception towards Christmas changed because of these street children. I wonder how they celebrate Christmas without gifts and presents, food, and even a home to celebrate in. 

Then, I realized how lucky I am having my family with me, my friends and people who love me. 

After seeing these children, I realized that gifts, presents and the other material things are not that important. What matters most is the happiness we feel and it becomes priceless and genuine when shared...because Christmas is not about giving and receiving gifts but giving love and blissfulness to others.