The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season, with Christmas carols heard as early as September and lasting variously until either Epiphany, the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, or the Feast of the Sto. Niño on the third Sunday of January.
The official observance of Advent by the Church in the Philippines is from the beginning of the Simbang Gabi on Dec. 16 until the Feast of the Epiphany on the first Sunday of the year.
Be careful with party food, as this Filipino tradition has made an excuse for cholesterol binge since the celebrations are never complete without lechon, sweet pastries, and other native delicacies.
Christmas Day is primarily a family affair, often celebrated between 10pm and midnight, a schedule preferred by many Filipinos who stay up late on Christmas Eve for the night-long celebration of the noche buena.
For many, Christmas is still a religious event, a sacred occasion to celebrate the birth of Christ, through the singing of Christmas carols at a church service, attending midnight mass, listening to the message, engaging in prayer, and other religious rituals.
Pope Francis reminds us that ”Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.”
Public figures have described Christmas in various ways:
The late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher commented that “Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”
Singer/songwriter, Amy Grant tells us, “Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ child.”
Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in more food/gifts. Discover joy when one learns to savor the particulars of the Christmas season. Savoring requires us to stop, and be aware to experience the celebration with our senses.
For instance, listening to the beautiful Christmas Carols, such as O Holy Night, one can use his sight to fill the soul with the uplifting message of Christ.
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy is to have the real spirit of Christmas,” said former US President Calvin Coolidge.
So in keeping with the indelible Filipino penchant for karaoke, let us all join Jose Mari Chan in singing: “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/And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts!”
Merry Christmas to all.
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
