‘What Christmas song is closest to your heart?’
By Elisha Judy Tabaque
Illustration: Josua S. Cabrera
MOST of us can’t help but feel excited because Christmas songs are already hitting the airwaves. You start swaying and then clapping until the next thing you realize, you’re already singing along to the rhythm that wishes a merry and memorable celebration. Christmas is indeed just around the corner.
Speaking about Christmas songs, we always have that one song that pops-up right away in our head when we’re asked for one. It could be the melody, the beat, the lyrics or the story behind a song that made special spots in our hearts. In fact, while you’re reading this, there surely is a Christmas song silently playing in your mind.
So, here are some of our SunStar Weekend readers who share the Christmas songs that are closest to their hearts and the reasons behind it. If you know the song, sing your heart out to feel the season of love and giving.
Theresa Rose Inoc, 21
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy V
“Cold winter air, bright Christmas lights, children singing happily — these are some of the signs that Christmas is just around the corner. And I can’t deny the fact that I am so much excited. Actually, ‘excitement’ is an understatement. It is the time of the year when people are exchanging gifts with each other. It is the time of the year when people are giving and accepting genuine love. And most of all, it is the time of the year when each and everyone of us are singing the songs of our hearts — the hymn of joy, excitement and love. In line with the later statement, my answer to the question at hand is the song by Jose Mari Chan titled ‘Christmas In Our Hearts.’ Besides hearing it in the playlist of my mother, the song talks about how peaceful the atmosphere is during the yuletide season. It shows how united everyone is in celebrating the coming of the Savior — Jesus Christ. It portrays not just the common activities or celebration of the people during the season but also the ‘reason’ of the season. In other words, the song talks not just the ‘what’ but also the ‘who and why’ of the season. Lastly, the song is close to my heart as one stanza of the song goes; ‘This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus.’ It reminds us people, that the season is not just about us, but more importantly, it is about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And as what I have perceived, the stanza is singing to my heart that, the love for Jesus also means the love for his men. Thus, we should love one another with the love of Jesus Christ.”
Miguel Clemino, 20
BS Psychology IV
“Don’t get me wrong, I love the lights, the garlands and the gifts, but if I had to give up everything else, just leave me the songs and other holiday classics. One that’s closest to my heart is the song written by David Foster titled ‘My Grown-up Christmas List.’ It’s a beautiful song full of meaning that I can relate. When I was a kid I always had the longest Christmas wish list every year. Looking forward in opening gifts on Christmas day, untying the bows, ripping off the paper one by one, it is just the best thing a kid could experience! It may sound too cliché, now that I am about to finish College I began to think about what my list would look like this year and the following years. A list of a different perspective on what matters most in life. As what the lyrics of the song goes, ‘So here’s my lifelong wish: My grown-up Christmas list, not for myself, but for a world in need.’”
Erica Jade, 29
Publishing Consultant
My Grown-Up Christmas List
by Amy Grant
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I’m all grown up now
and still need help somehow
I’m not a child but my heart still can dream
So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas List
Not for myself, but for a world in need
No more lives torn apart,
Then wars would never start
and time would heal the heart
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown-up Christmas List
“Growing up in a family of musicians, I was fairly blessed to be surrounded by songs early in my childhood. Whether it’s ballad or rock music, I’ve fairly enjoyed listening to their beat and rhythm then realized that the heart of the song is always its lyrics. True to its nature, I have made a list of my favorites: songs that remind me of heartaches or simply songs that make me smile. I have heard of the song ‘My Grown-Up Christmas List’ way back years ago during one of our parties and every time I catch its melody, it always tug my heartstrings. It always manage to evoke certain feelings and make me remember that every year, during Christmas, it is not always the material things I want but rather those that money can’t buy. It is not all about wish lists but it’s a kind of list engraved in my heart. This song would surely top the favorites and those closest to my heart simply because it reminds me that life is not always a happy story and Christmas is not always about receiving gifts. It’s about love and sacrifice. It’s about the struggle to make it through whatever path you may go. Life sometimes hurts but humanity always makes its way for us to smile and that is the basic truth. This year I would have the same wish: good health for everyone, success and prosperity for all, relaxation for those who are tired, a simple vacation for those who never had one, peace among family, food for those who are hungry, love and loyalty and peace of mind to those in relationships, a good soul to befriend those who are alone, and lastly I would want peace for humanity. This will be my grown-up Christmas list. It may be a lifelong wish but it surely is worth it. Merry Christmas to everyone!”
BJ Augustin Cañal, 20
BS Biology IV
“The song Jingle Bells will be one of the closest. It reminds me so much of my childhood, when we do house to house caroling in our neighborhood. It was the first Christmas song that I have learned as a child. Even though I really cannot understand and master the lyrics that time, I really feel the beat of the song while I do my best in singing whenever we do Christmas caroling. Thus, whenever I hear Jingle Bells being played in malls or on the radio, it brings so much of my childhood memories. It also reminds me that it is Christmas once again. I think that is the essence of Christmas; feeling and being a child once again every time it comes. Christmas is not just a season of shopping, vacation, festivity or gift-giving, but also it is the season when you get to appreciate the simplicity of life. That you get to enjoy the quality time you spend together with your family amidst busy schedule. This is why I am always looking forward to experiencing Christmas year by year as I wanted to pause and get to appreciate life as simple as I appreciated it as a child.”
Maurice Jitty Villaester, 21
College Instructor
“I’d have the song ‘All I Ask For Christmas Is You.’ For me, the song is very powerful when we are talking about various aspects. Even though it was produced at the end of the 20th century, the producers of the song made sure that it could still have a Christmas-y vibe that we know. Also, they were the first ones who produced a Christmas song without stating the words Santa Claus and reindeers! It is just a Christmas song intended for adults (or at least, feeling adults). Also, I can relate to the lyrics of the songs. These past few days have been tough for my partner and me. The song symbolizes my love for him because I do not ask a lot for Christmas. I just want him to be with me in celebrating the festivity.”
