THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS

 

THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS
By Dr. Jossalberto Briceno Saenz

I believe Christmas should last forever.

How many Christmases do you truly remember? What is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to you during Christmas? After reflecting on these questions, one inevitably begins to recall those memorable gifts—both good and bad—received in holiday gift exchanges.

It feels like it was just yesterday when my siblings and I would rush to the Christmas tree to grab our presents. We’d weigh them in our hands, shake them, and try to guess what treasures lay inside.

But let us move beyond material gifts and focus on the joy and happiness that should envelop this season. And here comes the deeper question: beyond presents, what brings you true joy and happiness? If you asked Mariah Carey, she’d probably say, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Why not? I love that word "you" in English—it can be interpreted as singular or plural, making her song both universal and deeply personal. It’s a phrase that, in my opinion, generates both positive and critical discourse in equal measure.

Let me talk about gifts—both material and immaterial—in the context of education. I recall my school days in Mexico when we were accustomed to carrying backpacks so heavy they often outweighed the children themselves. Sometimes, these bags were physically larger than the student carrying them. This led me to wonder: is knowledge and education truly measured by the weight or volume of books?

In 2003, I reflected on this and developed a proposal to reduce the physical burden on students without compromising their access to knowledge. I presented this plan to the government of Guanajuato, to then-President Vicente Fox, and to Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). My program called for the standardization of textbook sizes across government-issued and private publishers, aligning them with three-ring binders. The books would feature detachable pages and be pre-divided into weekly study sections.

In essence, my goal was to minimize the physical load while maximizing the possibility for students to carry a personal book of their own choosing to school.

I don’t know the current state of education in Mexico, as I’ve been away for 23 years. But at that time, my proposal was my gift to every child—a way to transform the educational system for the better. My gift wasn’t about adding more; it was about taking away. As I saw it then (and still believe today), the physical weight of books doesn’t represent acquired knowledge or academic achievement. However, implementing this change required cooperation and support from the government, which, unfortunately, I did not receive.

My program was so detailed that it even outlined specific standards for both public and private schools. Sadly, it was rejected by Vicente Fox and the SEP. The resistance I encountered became so overwhelming that I had no choice but to leave Mexico altogether.

Now, as Christmas approaches, I find myself reflecting—remembering some things and forgetting others, not by choice but for the sake of sanity. For me, Christmas is not about red, green, and white clothes, nativity scenes, or presents whose size and weight seem to dictate their value. Instead, it’s about a feeling of peace, joy, and emotional abundance—something far greater than anything measured in grams.

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. May you find happiness in the company of people you love and who love you in return—more than boxes and decorative paper ever could.

And if you’re one of those who doesn’t share my perspective and prefers heavier gifts, well, I hope someone gives you a complete set of ankle and wrist weights this Christmas. That way, you can put them to good use after all the holiday feasting and New Year celebrations.