THE air is filled with nostalgia and warmth as the 'Ber' months unfold, heading into the festive season. However, in the commotion of daily life, it's not uncommon to feel a gradual loss of the excitement that once held so much joy and wonder. As the fast-paced time passes, the enchantment of the holiday season can easily slip away. But is it possible to recapture that so-called 'Christmas spirit'?

In a survey conducted by THE BEDAN HERALD, Bedan students were asked to rate their anticipation and excitement for the upcoming Christmas festivities on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least ecstatic and 10 being the most excited. Based on the gathered responses, most students generally hold a moderate level of excitement for the upcoming Christmas festivities, with some expressing higher levels of anticipation and others showing a more subdued enthusiasm. 

One student mentioned, "As I get older, I take more responsibilities, more work. The Christmas anticipation is different this year because I got really busy during late ber months due to the rush and many deadlines. When our finals ended, that's when I got excited that Christmas is near. But anticipation didn't really build up beforehand." Contrastingly, it is noteworthy that only one student expressed a perfect 10, showcasing a unique and exceptionally high level of anticipation compared to the rest of the surveyed students.

Despite the varying excitement levels, the spirit of Christmas is finding new avenues to prosper within Bedans. The Student Executive Council (SEC), in collaboration with co-curricular organizations, the Parent-Teacher Guild Faculty Council (PTGFC), and the San Beda College-Alabang Men's Volleyball Team, held a heartwarming initiative reminiscent of 'Santa's Elves' — a donation drive for SBCA security and city service personnel.

In addition to these charitable endeavors, the campus is tweaking the Christmas “feels” as Christmas songs are played from time to time within the St. Bede Hall — this creates an enchanting ambiance that transports one to the classics that define the season not to mention the Christmas decorations that were put up to make us feel the sparkling season. And who would forget the particular highlight in these? The Belen, a symbol of the nativity scene that can be seen at SBCA's main entrance, serves as a significant reminder of the deeper meaning behind the celebrations — a celebration of love, giving, and the spirit of togetherness.

Within this diversity of sentiments lies a common thread — the shared desire to relive the spirit of Christmas. While it's easy to become overwhelmed by the demands of adulthood and the pressure in life, there are still efforts to showcase that the spirit of Christmas endures, adapting to contemporary challenges and finding new expressions. Even wishing someone an early "Merry Christmas" before school break can be a subtle yet significant reminder of the season's joy.

The Christmas spirit takes on various forms: whether expressed through acts of kindness, embracing the festive atmosphere, or pondering the more profound significance of the season. As we deepen our faith and understanding of Christmas, let's discover happiness in giving, warmth in being together, and experience a fresh sense of wonder beyond daily life's hectic pace.