Christmas Pinoy Stayl

It is truly that Christmas is the most celebrated feast in the world, double it in the Philippines! The celebration of Christmas in the Philippines officially starts on 16th of December until the Feast of the Epiphany on 6th of January. With all the glittering parols, energy consuming Christmas lights, and the ear shattering Christmas songs played in the Malls, no one can deny the spirit of Christmas even as early as September. 

So why Pinoy's Christmas celebration unique?

Simbang Gabi

Traditionally, Christmas Day is ushered by 'Simbang Gabi' or the Rooster Mass. It is a series of 9 early morning masses stating on December 16th. The morning breeze, the aroma and the whistle of the cooked Puto Bungbong in the street complete the spirit.

Parol

Parol or Lantern is a must in every Pinoy home. Every streets, Shopping Malls, schools, building is adorned by colorful decorations. It is sometimes an all-year house decor like ours!

Christmas Caroling
Once the Simbang-Gabi starts, children (and adults) formed a group to hop from one house to another singing traditional songs like Jingle Bells, We wish You A Merry Christmas, and other popular songs.

Monito-Monita

In keeping the tradition of gift giving, Filipinos has their version of Kris Kringle, the exchange gifts Pinoy style.


Here are some Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To your opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.


The Origin of Christmas and Epiphany

The origins of the celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany, as well as the dates on which they are observed, are rooted deeply in the history of the early church. There has been much scholarly debate concerning the exact time of the year when Jesus was born, and even in what year he was born. Actually, the Church is not sure about the real birth of Christ. It is like they just go with the flow, with the tradition. They estimated that Christ was born in springtime, somewhere between the years of 6 and 4 BC.

The most commonly accepted conclusion is that Christmas originated in Roman culture that celebrated the winter solstice on December 25 (the solstice is the point where the sun’s ecliptic, or apparent path in the sky, is at its furthermost northern and southern point, occurring by our calendar around June 22 and December 22; in the northern hemisphere, we note these days today as the beginning of Summer and Winter). This was a pagan celebration of the birth of the sun (Natalis Solis Invicti ) as it once again began its annual journey back north from its southernmost point through the heavens. This marked the change of seasons that promised springtime and renewal of the earth.




***credit to Aliztravelzone for the picture.