Christmas in our Hearts – How Filipinos Celebrate Christmas

It’s Christmas once again. All of us have been waiting for this special occasion every year!

Christmas is a season of great joy. It is a time when God has sent and gave us His son Jesus Christ to show His undying love for us. So we celebrate it with returning His love to others – Jesus is love …..therefore Christmas is love.

Decorations - for us Filipinos, it starts every beginning of “ber” month. When September begins….Christmas carols began to play from all over…radio stations, malls, streets....even in our home. People started to decorate…hanging lanterns, Christmas lights, decorating Christmas trees….spirit of Christmas has come!

Karoling - we can hear children serenading homes (we call it “Karoling”) with christmas carols…giving them little amount of cash can make them smile. And sing “ Thank you, thank you, ambabait ninyo, thank you.” (Thank you it’s so kind of you).

Simbang Gabi - Mass of nine days to attend which we call “simbang-gabi” - starts December 16th and ends the night of 24th. We believe completing this nine days of sacrifice can make one wish come true.

Christmas Parties - we Filipinos are fond of parties…so attend all Christmas parties as you can…in offices, schools, friends reunion, family reunion on this coming Christmas. It’s also a time of seeing relatives and friends. This is also the time of listing gifts to be given to “inaanak” (Godchildren). It’s a time of giving – exchanging gifts and cards. It’s a little bit costly but the joy is worth it.

Noche Buena – midnight of the 24th. Preparing a whole lot of foods. Eating together with family and sometimes friends and relatives are coming over from different places. Excited part of it - is opening gifts under the christmas trees. Children would hang socks in Christmas trees and expecting a gift inside given by “Santa Claus”.

“Aguinaldo” (gifts) - for the kids this Christmas. Christmas is usually enjoyed by the kids, receiving gifts on the day itself (December 25th). Visiting house to house of relatives…make “mano” (honoring-gesture) putting elders hands in the forehead, same with hand-kissing. Elders will then give a little amount of cash (crisp cash) to them as a gift.

Christmas is love as I mentioned because it brings the family together.

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas to all!!!!!