IT’S finally Christmas, and it’s also the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. 

During birthdays, it is the celebrator who receives gifts from their loved ones, but during Christmas, dubbed as the season of giving, many of us also receive presents from our family, friends, and our godparents.

Admit it. Godparents are the first individuals that come to our minds during this season because most of us, especially the young ones, grew up receiving gifts and aguinaldos from them on Christmas Day.

But is giving gifts only the role of ninongs and ninangs? Apparently, the answer is no. They have a more important role to play in their godchildren’s lives.

Second parents

A godparent is usually a family member or a close friend of the child’s dad or mom. Majority of these parents choose godparents for their child not because they earn a lot of money or provide every gift that the kids want for Christmas.

One of the reasons they are probably chosen by parents is because they can be a support system for the young ones, especially when they need guidance growing up.

This is how 27-year-old content specialist Lira Geronimo understood her role as a millennial ninang.

“Being a godparent entails a responsibility that is beyond giving gifts,” she told republicasia.

For Geronimo, godparents should be a good listener if their godchildren need a lending ear, give advice if they seek guidance, and be the person these children can look up to.

“As a child grows, it’s important to have a nurturing environment for them and godparents play a vital role in guiding them while they grow up,” she continued.

Twenty-six-year-old tech consultant Jojo Macalma agreed and said that godparents should play the role of second parents of their godchildren.

“Having a godparent is important for a child, especially in guiding young individuals, [motivating] them, and also [being a good] example,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mhe Gerona said that godparents must ensure that their presence must be felt by their godchildren at all times, not just during the holiday season.

“I guess we all need to start developing the habit of ‘being present’ for our inaanaks in all occasions and in no occasion at all, even in the simplest ways we can think of,” the 27-year-old collections supervisor said.

A shoulder to lean on

Godparents are indeed popular during Christmas day, specifically in the aspect of gift-giving. Geronimo and Gerona hope that their godchildren would remember them as someone they can depend on.

“I hope that they can remember me as someone whom they can rely on. Also, as someone whom they could take some pieces of advice and stories that they can apply in their life as they grow up,” Geronimo said.

Gerona, on the other hand, wants to remind her godchildren that she can be their “safe space” in case they need to vent out their feelings or simply just want to become their genuine selves.

“Ninang will always be one of the safest space[s] they can dive into, aside from their parents or if they couldn’t with them, when things are going rough,” she said.

Gerona added, “I would want them to feel cool about the things that make them happy and to not care too much [about] what the majority dictates.”

Christmas wishes

Aside from their gifts and aguinaldos, these young godparents have their own wishes for their godchildren this Christmas Day.

Gerona said she wants nothing for her godchildren but for them to “be always grounded and be where they truly wanted to be.” She also wished them good health and happiness.

Meanwhile, Macalma hopes that his godchildren will grow up “humble” and “a good kid.”

“My wish for them is to have a merry and happy holiday, to eat whatever they want on Christmas, and for them to go wherever they wish to,” he added.

This Christmas Day, Geronimo plans to bond with her godchildren as this is the only time she can meet all of them after a long time. Her wish for her godchildren is to enjoy this holiday season and have a lot to look forward to in the coming year.

“I wish that they’ll have a wonderful and memorable holiday season this 2023 and an exciting 2024 for them!” she said.

To all godparents and godchildren out there, we hope that you have the most wonderful time with your loved ones today, wherever you are. Merry Christmas!