By Mary Clarince David – PTV
“Wherever there are people giving gifts, exchanging cards,
I believe that Christmas is truly in their hearts.”
It’s that time of year again. December has come and with it are the marvels and joys of Christmas—the most widely celebrated and popular festival commemorated in the world regardless of race and religion (Warren, 2008).
Christmas is a time for joy, for giving, and sharing. It is a season of laughter and reunions with family and friends. The season may also symbolize brightly lit and decorated homes of tinsel, Christmas tree and other Christmas-y ornaments such as the Nativity, Santa, the reindeer’s, poinsettias, evergreens. Christmas is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus—His coming to this world to become our savior was ultimately a symbol of love. Hence, Christmas is a celebration of love.
“Let’s sing Merry Christmas
And a happy holiday
This season may we never forget
The love we have for Jesus
Let Him be the One to guide us
As another new year starts”
Most Filipinos are looking forward to Christmas. Why? Touted to have the longest celebration of this festive occasion, which usually starts from the first day of the first “-ber” month—September—until the Feast of the Three Kings on January of the following year. As soon as “-ber” months hit the calendars, people start the countdown to Christmas, decorating their homes and offices with garlands and decors that represent this yuletide season. Christmas carols, the whiff of bibingka and puto bumbong, and glittering lights adorning the streets—awakening our senses that the yuletide season is nearing.
“In every prayer and every song The community unites Celebrating the birth Of our Savior, Jesus Christ”
Christmas is more than just a celebration. For most Filipino Christians, it is a way of commemorating the coming of their savior Jesus Christ. Being in a predominantly Catholic country, the church plays a vital role in celebrating Christmas, with traditions such as “Simbang Gabi” or the belief of completing nine dawn masses before Christmas. It is a practice that has become a trademark particularly for Filipino Catholics.
“Whenever I see girls and boys Selling lanterns on the streets I remember the Child In the manger as He sleeps”
Christmas is the celebration and an act of love. Filipino families decorate their homes for Christmas with colorful lights, garlands, the Christmas tree and the native “parol,” the most iconic symbol of Filipino-style Christmas. The “parol” is a star-shaped lantern hung in houses and buildings. This star-shaped décor symbolizes the star that guided the Three Wise Men in their journey to find the manger where and the child Jesus was born. Meanwhile another symbolic décor in Catholic homes, and an important reminder of this season, is the “belen,” which represents the true reason for this celebration – the birth of Jesus. In a Filipino Catholic home, the belen occupies a special spot wherein the whole family gathers to share each other’s joy and to give thanks for his gift to humanity—Jesus Christ. The most joyous part of any Christmas celebration is to see all these festivities through the eyes of a child and to help children everywhere find peace and love.
Christmas is a season of love and family. Family is everything when it comes to Christmas in the Philippines. For Filipinos, Christmas is a time with the family. Most Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) would even go home to be with their families during the season. For some OFWs, Christmas away from home is part of the sacrifice, but they make sure that their love is felt by sending packages to their relatives as a gift.
Christmas is giving and sharing gifts. The highlight of the celebration is the Noche Buena, where the family shares a good meal on Christmas Eve. Most families also take this opportunity for gift giving, with an air of excitement as family members unwrap the gifts that have been sitting under the Christmas tree. Since Filipinos regard Christmas as a celebration made for kids, children usually get the grandest gifts.
“Let love, like that starlight
On that first Christmas morn
Lead us back to the manger
Where Christ the Child was born”
Christmas is a season for values and lesson. The real value of a Christmas gift in Philippines does not have to be expensive. In fact, simple but meaningful gifts are often more appreciated. Have our kids make creative arts and crafts as personalized gifts or ask them to assist us in making home-baked goodies for their friends, teachers and for family. Show your children that the best gifts are really from the heart. Teaching your kids to value simplicity will also allow them to be appreciative and to value the simple joys in life even beyond Christmas.
“So, come let us rejoice
Come and sing a Christmas carol
With one big joyful voice
Proclaim the name of the Lord!”
Christmas is about having faith and being thankful. Children love Christmas and look forward to the festivities and excitement it brings. In fact, this season never fails to bring out that child-like wonder in each person, both young and old alike. There’s definitely something magical about this season that makes one wish that it is Christmas all year long. Christmas in Philippines reflects Filipino resilience and optimism, for despite economic circumstances and the occurrence of natural calamities before the festive season, still the spirit of Christmas—in one way or another—will be present in every Filipino home.
Christmas is a time of introspection and of celebrating the gift of love and family. And as the famous Christmas carol tells us, “may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts.”
