“The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood”. – Richard Paul Evans
As for most Filipinos, Christmas in our family kicks off in September (the start of the “ber” months) and continues until the Feast of the Three Kings, every 1st Sunday of January. No wonder, the Philippines holds the record for the world’s longest Christmas celebration.
Since I was a child and even now that I am already a senior citizen, Christmas remains to be my favorite time of the year. I always look forward to doing the different Christmas activities that have become traditions and part of my holiday celebration, growing up.
Putting up our Christmas tree, belen and other decors was always a bonding moment for our family. We usually did it on a weekend, so everyone was free from work or school. We would have the Christmas songs by Frank Sinatra, Ray Conniff or Bing Crosby as our background music while we decorate and my grandfather builds our wooden fireplace and manger. Back then, we make our own “parol” (Christmas lantern), from bamboo sticks and crepe paper. The highlight was topping the tree with the star and turning on the Christmas lights. It was always a joyful moment.
December 16 signals the start of Simbang Gabi (dawn mass). The Simbang Gabi involves attending dawn masses for 9 consecutive days, from Dec 16 to Christmas Eve. Believing that completing it will make our prayers and wishes come true, we didn’t mind waking up very early to attend the 4 am mass. The chance to eat the delicious Christmas delicacies, “puto bumbong” and “bibingka” after the mass, with my friends and cousins, was the extra come on.
I got to display my love for singing (it just didn’t love me back), during our caroling, which also starts mid-December. Equipped with our DIY musical instruments, my cousins and I will go around our neighborhood singing both English and Filipino Christmas songs. We would already memorize who was generous in giving money and who will always say “patawad” (sorry), so we would skip the latter. A treasurer is assigned to safekeep our daily “earnings” and equally divide it on Christmas Eve. It’s as if we received our bonus and 13th month pay. That’s what I used to buy gifts for my family members.
Christmas and New Year’s Eves are celebrated and observed in our family. We would really wait and stay awake till midnight to have our Noche Buena (Dec 24) and Media Noche (Dec 31), as a family. Our usual staple includes ham, hotdog, queso de bola, salad, spaghetti and our homemade cocoa drink. At the struck of midnight, we gather around the Christmas tree to have our exchanging and opening of gifts, followed by Noche Buena. On the other hand, before Media Noche, we play and watch the fireworks in our neighborhood. Our fave merrymakers then were lusis (sparklers), watusi, baby rocket, trompillo, fountain and torotot.
Come Christmas Day, we would be in our finest Christmas dress, ready to visit our Ninongs (godfathers) and Ninangs (godmothers), after the mass. No appointments needed, they already expect us, their inaanaks (godchildren) to drop by any time of the day. We eagerly wait to see our godparents, at least once a year, and receive their aguinaldo (gifts), which may be in cash or in kinds. Some were extra generous in giving aguinaldo, even to the companions of their godchildren. The cash received would be an addition to my allowance.
These were all part of my Christmas, growing up. They all made it fun, memorable and meaningful. As such, I made sure that most, if not all, continued to be part of the Christmas tradition of my own family. I was just sad, though, that my own children, growing up, did not get to do the caroling and Simbang Gabi (due to safety issues), and experience lighting the fireworks (due to LGU restrictions). But the absence of such did not stop them from knowing and honoring who truly matter: Jesus Christ and our family!
A Merry and Blessed Christmas to all!!!
