Whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on the streets, I remember the child in a manger as he sleeps. Wherever there are people giving gifts exchanging cards, I believe that Christmas is truly in their hearts.
Let's light our Christmas trees for a bright tomorrow. Where nations are at peace and all are one's in God.
Let sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday. This season may we never forget the love we had 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.
This is the song popularized by Jose Mari Chan. Jose Mari Chan is one of the pillars of Filipino music. Though he is known for his love songs, he is also the king when it comes to Christmas songs that every Filipino child can sing the lyrics, “Let sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday” without knowing the song’s title. Due to his music’s positive Christmas messages and soothing melody, Jose Mari Chan Christmas songs are played in malls throughout the Christmas season. Again, it’s a season.
When I was young, we always do caroling. I was always the leader because I was the eldest among of them. I have a very loud voice which is good when singing. And we always sang this song, it was one of our favorites. There were times that we were being chased by dogs. Sometimes we earned a lot but most of the time, less but at least we had fun.
What is Christmas?
Christmas is celebrated every year on 25th December. It is mainly the festival of Christians. It is when Mary gave birth to the messiah Jesus Christ. But in today’s time, the festival of Christmas has surpassed the religious boundaries and become a symbol of the holistic culture. The winters in December carry a festive feeling.
C - stands for Christ. God's greatest gift to humankind.
H -stands for the Hope. No matter how hard life is, there is life without end.
R - stands for the Revolution. He began turning hate in to love, war into peace, and everyone into everyone's neighbor.
I - stands for Israel, the land where He was born.
S - stands for the Salvation. In darkest hour of life, He give us light(salvation).
T - stands for Thanks - thanks to the Father for the gift of His Son. The best way to say thanks is to make room for Him in our hearts.
M -stands for Mary who gave birth to Jesus Christ. She will help to bring Him to birth in us also.
A -stands for Angels who at His birth sang: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to all people on earth!” - the sweetest music ever heard on earth!
S -stands for the Star that led the wise men to Bethlehem. Now Christ is the star we follow. His is the light that will guide us through the night until the sun of eternal day dawns upon us!
How do we celebrate Christmas?
Christmas season happens during “ber” months – months that end in “ber”- therefore, from SeptemBER to DecemBER. Temperatures starts to drop in tropical Philippines during the “ber” months and the cold nights remind people that Christmas is coming. But why that long? The long Christmas season gives Filipinos enough time to prepare on how they will be spending their Christmas vacation, from booking their flights to working overtime to save more money for Christmas gifts. Most of all, the long Christmas sets the mood for giving, charity, and love for one another that will climax on the dinner table during the festive Noche Buena on Christmas Eve.
People start putting their own Christmas decorations from plastic Christmas trees to Christmas themed curtains and throw pillows. Then, the streets are lit with Christmas illuminations, turning the Philippines into a country of lights with some residents sparing no part of their outdoors from Christmas lights. Gaudy or not, it can be a feast for the eyes!
And on Christmas eve, families gathered to have a festive meal. Kids wait until midnight for exchange gifts( the best part of Christmas). And also to wait for Santa Claus. I was 5 years old when I found out that Santa Claus isn't real. And it was our LOlo who gave us presents every Christmas. Sad, knowing that Santa do not exist but happy knowing that our Lolo loves us so mush and gave us presents.
And on the day of Christmas, children will go visit their "Ninong and Ninangs" for their gifts or presents. Christmas is a day for the kids because it is when they have more money than adults. lol!
Christmas Amidst Pandemic
How are we going to celebrate Christmas that we are now against Covid19 Pandemic? Now that we need to follow health protocols to protect ourselves against Covid19, there are still ways to celebrate Christmas. We can do online caroling to our families and Ninongs and Ninangs. Then they can send their cash presents through Gcash or Coins.ph. We can also have online reunions through Google meet or Zoom.
We may not be able to celebrate Christmas just like before, but what's more important is that we have our family . After all, Christmas is all about LOVE. HAPPINESS, and FAMILY.
"Christmas spirit is more powerful than we could ever imagine. People needs Christmas to remind themselves of how good they can be."
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Christmas is considered one of the greatest and happiest Christian holidays. It is celebrated in the circle of those closest to it, and the only guest on this day is a layman who comes in the morning to bless the family.