When it comes to celebrating Christmas and New Year, there is nothing better than Filipinos. Attractive, happy, as if there is no problem feeling, forget the pain you went through, get up again, calm and tender, also known as Filipinos who love to celebrate the month of December around the world. After all, you can feel the spirit of Christmas in the Philippines starting in September. When the 'ber' months hit the calendar, Filipinos start decorating their homes, establishments, and streets with enormous Christmas Tree trees with lots of light and ever-changing colorful lights, selling gifts for family, friends, children, and relatives, as well as games for children, siblings, and friends who have returned to the province to be with their loved ones. December is the happiest month.
What do you do every December?
Mass of Gallo - Simbang Gabi, also known as Misa de Gallo, is a solemn Christmas practice that shows how Filipinos value their faith. Simbang Gabi is essentially a novena of the morning mass that starts from the 16th of December and will end on Christmas Eve on December 24. The Simbang Gabi is the mass held in the churches to accommodate the large number of people who want to listen to missing panggabi. It is also a bonding for a family, friends, or cousins. These are nine consecutive mornings or evening worships in preparation for the birth of Jesus to redeem mankind. Simbang Gabi ends at the dawn of December 24. This is followed by the midnight Christmas Eve Mass thanksgiving on Christmas Day or the birth of Christ Jesus.
Carolling -is truly one of the most lighthearted Christmas traditions in the Philippines. A few weeks before Christmas Day, children, as well as adults, travel to villages with unique handmade musical instruments or improvised musical instruments. So if there is no purchase of equipment, those who play the musical instruments work individually (such as tambourines made of aluminum bottle tops and drums made of used milk cans, squeezed bottle caps, pans, or basins), expecting a small coin from households after singing their Christmas carols. No matter how much amount, children, or caroling people are happy. Sometimes when they are not given the disgust they just go through the words "thank you, thank you, your cheap"! simultaneously running or leaving.
Parol- We can say that as Christmas approaches each family begins to decorate their home; there is a Christmas light, Christmas tree, and a lantern. The lantern symbolizes the abundant festivals in the Philippines. Lanterns are made from a variety of materials and recyclable materials that we only see on the street or in garbage cans that can still be used to make lanterns.
Giving - This is the happiest part of our life is receiving the simple gift we are happy with. Make sure all of us have been busy with the left and right Christmas party with our family, friends or relatives, friends we have not been with for a long time, and most of all, every family has a party every Noche Buena. Most of us are still busy finding gifts for our children or loved ones. Godfather and godmother's toys, clothes, and crisp money.
Noche Buena - Celebrated on Christmas Eve, Noche Buena is a feast where family members gather and eat together at a traditional Christmas feast at midnight. Most Filipino families in the Philippines will celebrate their annual reunion during Noche Buena, as this is the usual time for everyone in the family. Aside from eating together, Noche Buena is also the time for families to open their Christmas presents. One of the reasons why Christmas is more meaningful and happy in the Philippines is because it is the time when the whole family is complete, especially those who have relatives working abroad. OFWs return to the Philippines while others working in the city return to their province to be with their loved ones on Christmas day. It is truly a joy to celebrate Christmas in the Philippines not only because of the happy traditions and gifts received. We must remember that Christmas is not just about material things but it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
But all this has changed because of the amount we have gone through this year. There is a ban on the social gathering, social distancing, wearing a face shield or facemask, it is also difficult for the people we love to go home. All our movements are limited but let us not forget to celebrate them all even just indoors. Because the Filipino is cheerful, courageous, generous, and loving.
I do not want to say "Merry Christmas" because we know that not everyone celebrates Christmas because of our beliefs or religion. Let us respect each other. So all I can say is "Happy Holiday BCH community".
To make our holiday even better, I hope @MarcDeMesel @RogerVer @georgedonnelly @Omar and the owner or readcash team can read a sweet letter😅!
Again, Happy Holiday!💕❤
Merry Christmas,😁