December for me is the most stressful month of the year both here in Denmark and the Philippines. But To counter act the stress I will start to post mostly about christmas traditions or what ever connected to Christmas or Yuletide (jul in danish).
In the Philippines Christmas is the most important of all holidays it is the time we spend time with our family. December is the nicest time to visit the Philippines because of the cooler climate, the wonderful christmas decorations especially the Christmas lanterns. But this is also the most expensive time to travel to the Philippines because it is the peak season, just imagine millions of Filipinos from all over the world rushing to go home to the Philippines to be with their families. They say it is the longest Christmas in the world since it starts when the month of “ber”. and ends up the Feast of the 3 kings around January 6.
The Nativity- The first Christmas
This picture was taken at the St. Anne’s Church. In Filipino we call it Belen or the Nativity.
But for Filipinos christmas means family. For millions of OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) families like myself this was always means sadness since it means spending the Media Noche (midnight dinner) without the rest of our family. First it was my mother who left us to work abroad then followed my Father then my sister and for such a long time it’s only me and my 3 siblings who celebrated christmas I think more than a decade. Most of the time we spent Christmas at our relatives but I remember that it’s was always reminding us that we are like outsider because our parents we’re not there.
Well so much for the sad memories. I look forward to this Christmas because after 25 years we will spent the Christmas as a family. Me and my family together with my youngest sister’s family will visit my parents, brothers and sister this Christmas although it is only a week long vacation surely it will mean a lot to us. It will realization of our dreams which can be traced back all the words of hopes and dreams to spend the Christmas together in the Christmas cards exchanges in the last 2 1/2 decades.
It is also a tradition here in Denmark to spend the christmas with the families during Christmas. They also go to the mass and eat their dinner just earlier than us usually around 7 pm and they also gather around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts.
Exchanging gifts is not the main center point of Christmas celebration in the Philippines but being with your family. First hear the Christmas mass in the church and wearing your finest clothes, kissing the hands of your parents or elders well, ok the modern way now is just kissing the checks or “beso beso” sharing whatever the family can afford to put on the table but the important thing is the family togetherness depicting the Nativity, The first Christmas. And I think that’s what’s the spirit of Christmas is all about.
How about you? Do you spend Christmas with your family?
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3 comments
Marlene
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 23:33 (UTC 1)
I miss my family in Davao this time of the year. Christmas in the Philippines is more cheerful compared to here. You’re right, the importance of family reunion is always present during Christmas in the Philippines.
filipinamom
Friday, December 5, 2008 at 23:31 (UTC 1)
@Marlene,
We cherish more to be with our family than opening gifts.Sometimes I think people here don’t appreciate what they receive just wait at the long lines in the stores after Christmas exchanging their gifts to something else or encashing it instead.
Magastos ang pasko dito dahil sa regalo.
catherine
Friday, December 12, 2008 at 10:58 (UTC 1)
Hej Ate Ana,
Have a safe and wonderful trip to Spain. Hope you will have a wonderful time spending your x-mas and new year with your whole family.
God Bless your family!!!
I will definitely miss you…Take care
Catherine