Seasons Greetings
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A MAGICAL NEW YEAR!
Christmas is one of the most important Christian and cultural holidays of the year. But truly, what is the meaning of Christmas?
Christians believe that the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christmas is celebrated all around the world. In the United States when fall has given way to the chill of winter and white lights twinkle from house to house, people know that Christmas is near. Both the young and young at heart look forward to different activities such as visiting a Christmas tree farm and decorating the tree. Many enjoy taking a holiday card photo, decorating a gingerbread house, or making a wreath with the kids. If there is snow on the ground we love building snowmen, sliding in the snow, outdoor ice skating, and making hot chocolate. Don’t forget Christmas parties, holiday game night, holiday lights walk, feed the birds, writing letters to Santa, going caroling, winter hiking, and many more holiday activities.
In the Philippines, where over 80% of the nation is Roman Catholic, many Filipinos adhere to the Christmas tradition of midnight mass, also called misa de gallo or Simbang gabi in Tagalog. People also wake up at the break of dawn, around 3 to 5 AM to attend mass. The masses run every single day from December 16 until Christmas Eve. After midnight mass, there is the traditional midnight dinner waiting at home. Some favorite Filipino menus are the lechon or roasted pig, rice cakes, Filipino-style spaghetti, coconut salad, lumpia shanghai, embutido or meat loaf, pancit or noodles, and morcon (beef frank, dill pickle, carrot, and boiled egg slices rolled in a thinly sliced steak).
Christmas brings such joy to Filipinos. As soon as the month of September comes, Filipinos start decorating their Christmas trees and decorating their home with a Parol. A parol is the Philippines’ version of the Christmas lantern. It is a visual representation of the Christmas spirit, a symbol of the star of Bethlehem.
Filipinos love to have Christmas parties galore; a good time with their loved ones, and Christmas is one of the best excuses to throw parties. You will find Christmas parties everywhere during the Yuletide season in the Philippines. These parties come in many variations, such as office Christmas parties, church Christmas parties, family Christmas parties, neighborhood Christmas parties… you get the idea. We just love a good party! Each occasion comes complete with gift-giving, songs, games, and of course, tables laden with mouthwatering food.
When the New Year comes, families eat a midnight dinner called Medianoche. Filipinos believe that other traditions bring good luck and prosperous years. Such traditions include having a basket with 12 round fruits at the dinner table, wearing clothes with polka dots, giving out red envelopes, and scattering money in the house. Another popular practice especially among children is to fill up one’s pockets with coins and shake the pockets at 12 midnight. Such practice is believed to bring good fortune.
Making some noise is another way to welcome the new year. I will never forget when my dad gave me a saucepan and kitchen utensil and told me to make some noise. With ears covered, my brothers and I beat pans as loud as we could. We have looked forward to such a New Year’s tradition since then.
Under the ‘new normal’ and no matter how you celebrate Christmas and New Year this year, please stay safe and enjoy.
From the Silent Freedom Team to you and your loved ones, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Magical New Year!
R,
~Aurea
