This is what Christmas asks of us

By Noel Galon de Leon

As a language and literature teacher, I spend most of my days surrounded by words. I analyze them, teach them, and ask students to find meaning within them. Yet every Christmas, I am reminded that there are truths no definition can fully hold. Christmas, for me, is not just a topic to be discussed or a season to be celebrated. It is a lived experience, one that continually shapes who I am as a teacher and as a person.

First, Christmas is a reminder of our shared humanity. The story of a child born in a manger speaks not of power or wealth, but of humility. As teachers, we are often seen as figures of authority, as those who know more. Christmas teaches me to step down from that image and meet my students where they are. True teaching does not come from superiority, but from genuine human connection.

Christmas also teaches the value of quiet presence. Not every lesson needs to be delivered loudly or forcefully. Some lessons are best taught through listening. Over the years, I have learned that many students need a teacher who is willing to understand them more than one who simply talks. In the spirit of Christmas, silence becomes a space for empathy and healing.

To me, Christmas is the language of love expressed through action. As a literature teacher, I have taught many forms of love found in texts. But the love of Christmas is neither dramatic nor romantic. It is steady, patient, and forgiving. It is choosing kindness even when it is difficult, and believing that every student, no matter how many times they fail, still has the capacity to grow.

Christmas is also a symbol of hope. Not a perfect or ideal hope, but one born in the middle of hardship and uncertainty. Many of my students carry invisible burdens into the classroom. Christmas reminds me that even in their darkest moments, light is still possible. As a teacher, I have the responsibility to remind them that their stories are still unfolding.

Christmas teaches compassion. Intelligence and skill mean little without care for others. Inside the classroom, students must feel seen and valued. Christmas reminds me that education is not only about sharpening the mind, but also about nurturing the heart.

For me, Christmas is a season of reflection. It asks me to examine whether I have been fair, patient, and kind. It is not only a celebration, but a moment to listen to my own conscience. Teaching is a vocation, and Christmas calls me to return to that calling with humility.

Christmas teaches acceptance in a world quick to judge. As a language teacher, I know that some students struggle to express themselves. In the spirit of Christmas, I choose patience over criticism and understanding over judgment. Every student deserves space to be imperfect.

Christmas is a lesson in responsibility. Teaching is not limited to lessons and exams. We are entrusted with shaping young people who are thoughtful, ethical, and compassionate. Christmas reminds me that education carries a moral purpose.

Christmas teaches the importance of small gestures. A smile, a word of encouragement, a sincere question about how a student is doing. These simple acts often matter more than we realize. The spirit of Christmas lives in these everyday moments.

Christmas brings me back to why I chose this profession. I became a teacher because I believed in the power of words and stories. During Christmas, I am reminded that every lesson shared has the potential to guide a student long after they leave the classroom.

Christmas offers hope even in exhaustion. Teaching can be draining, and there are days when the weight feels heavy. Christmas reassures me that no effort is wasted, that the seeds we plant will grow in their own time.

As teachers, we must teach our students that Christmas is not only about receiving, but about giving. Not only material gifts, but time, understanding, and respect. These are the gifts that endure.

Christmas teaches equality. At the manger, there was no hierarchy, only shared humanity. This is the lesson I want my students to carry with them, that regardless of background or circumstance, every person has dignity and worth.

Christmas is an ongoing lesson. It does not end in December. As a language and literature teacher, I try to live its meaning in my daily teaching. The greatest lesson of Christmas is learning how to be fully human, with a critical mind and a compassionate heart.