Lights and Hearts Aglow

All this holiday cheer, Heaven knows where it goes but it returns every year. And though this winter does nothing but storm, the joy in my heart is ablaze and it’s keeping me warm. –Owl City

It was the last Thursday of November and at 8:45PM, my sister, some friends and I were scurrying across the tunnel under Ayala Avenue to get to the Ayala Triangle Gardens for the Lights and Sounds Show or, as Mama would call it, the Dancing Lights. It’s this spectacle they arrange every year for the holidays. We were told it was awesome. We were also told that the show runs only until 9PM. And we were kind of getting late.

All was dark when we arrived. We thought we’d missed it. But we were lucky because there was still one more show. The last show of the hour. And while waiting for the show to start, this awesome song by Owl City began to play and we were all quiet because it was the kind of song and the kind of melody that made you want to shut up, stand still and listen.

It all began with a ringing of bells. And a flickering of lights in one tree. Followed by another ringing of bells. And another flickering of lights from another tree. And then one more. Until all the lights from all the trees flickered to the ringing of the bells. They danced to the tunes of Santa Claus is Coming to Town; White Christmas; Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow; I’ll Be Home for Christmas. There were Tagalog songs as well. The Christmas carols that were sung by kids who went around villages at night.

With the dancing of the lights were the Ooh’s and the Ah’s and Aww from all of us who were watching. There were kids too, some of them were dancing but they seemed to be more like running around in circles. There were cute dogs as well! This little park might as well be a little Christmas Wonderland. Well, it felt like it was that night. There was something about the lights and the songs and the kids and the dogs and that night. It wasn’t just a spectacle. It wasn’t just a show you watch to get entertained. It was more than that.

It was, at least for me, a message of hope.

Because despite all the tragedies that struck the country recently, all the problems that we have dealt with, all that seemed to be going wrong within our community, within our family or within ourselves, despite all that we have been through, we’ve become stronger. And Christmas is just around the corner.

It’s nice to have something to look forward to. There’s this soft and comforting voice from within which tells me that whatever happens, nothing could ever be so bad because Christmas is coming. To put it correctly, Christ is coming. Well, parties and presents aside, it’s what we’re celebrating for, is it not? The birth of Jesus. The greatest gift that we could ever receive this Christmas is actually Him. The one who gives us hope despite the darkest of days.

Maybe it’s not just the lights and the songs and the kids and the dogs and that night. Maybe it’s the peace and joy and the love of God within our hearts that shine through every storm or tragedy we may come across, that make the holidays aglow, that make this season so special.

After the show, I received unexpected hugs from random kids who were running around the gardens. And suddenly I was a kid again. That innocence and affection I once thought was lost, I found it again in the comfort and warmth of a child’s embrace. It made all the difference.