Christmas celebrations!
By sweetie1026
@sweetie1026 (1718)
Philippines
November 29, 2008 8:23pm CST
I am from the Philippines and i am just wondering how is Christmas celebrated in your country? Here in my country, we celebrate it from December 16 with the early dawn mass or "misa de gallo", which is a 9 day novena of thanksgiving until Christmas Day. During this time there will be lots of native delicacies for sale infront of the church and we usually buy some on our way home to be eaten for breakfast. This is a very happy and festive time here in our country.Despite the economic crisis we are going through, people still find means to make this Christmas season merry, though it is not just this celebration which is important, but the birth of our Lord which we should be thankful for.So, how do you celebrate Christmas in your country? Thanks and Merry Christmas to all!
2 people like this
4 responses
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
30 Dec 08
Well sweetie, am also from the Philippines so I guess we do the same in so far as celebrating Christmas is concerned. I agree with you that despite the economic problem we should still celebrate and let the spirit of Christmas fill our hearts. I know this reply is little bit to late considering that Christmas has passed already but at least it is better late than never. Best to you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
1 person likes this
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
30 Dec 08
It is never too late. It is still the Christmas season and i am so grateful for your responses. Thank you very much and best to you too!
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
2 Dec 08
Hi Sweetie!
What a beautiful discussion!
India being a secular country we celebrate all the festivals with equal zeal and fervour. We have a large population of Christians here who celebrate Christmas in a grand way and we Non-Christians join them. Its such a beautiful unifying festival!
We have a Church very nearby our house. I go there often and during X-mas it's a wonderful sight to look at. With all those glitters, decors and color we feel so close to each other.
1 person likes this
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
3 Dec 08
Thank you, Mimpi. That is so nice to hear, that you join our Christian brothers in their celebration. It is also so great that you appreciate the way they celebrate and feel close to them.How i wish that all around the world people would just live in peace with each other. This is what i love most here in mylot, we get to know and discuss our different cultures and traditions and appreciate them. Surely, i would like to know more about your traditions and customs too. Merry Christmas, my friend, Mimpi!
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
2 Dec 08
Hi Sweetie! We are both Filipinos so I fully understand the kind of celebration you have discussed here. Of course Jesus should always be the reason for celebrating the Christmas season otherwise Christmas should not be called Christmas at all.
My mouth has watered with your mention of the native delicacies. Oh I love suman, the old suman that my late grandmother would prepare but now I can't taste them anymore because she's gone. But my Mom can also cook suman but also too old and weak to do suman. The native delicacies have replaced with modern fruit salads, tiramizu and the likes. I just wish the native delicacies will still be part of the celebration.
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
3 Dec 08
Yes, here they are still a big part of the Christmas breakfast table. The suman is a big part of our family tradition. It's preparation brings us all together. I am talking about the suman bulagta, which is best eaten with "latik" or "niyog" both with sugar. My granmother started it, then, it was passed on to my mother, then to my older sister but sadly she passed away last Febbruary. So now,maybe it will done by me with the help of the whole family. Preparing and cooking the suman requires tedious work. From the preparation of the banana leaf to the mixing and knotting and then the cooking which takes 12 long hours, to make the suman extra sticky and delicious to eat. It is one way of bonding with the family and enjoying the season, because we use firewood in cooking. There will be no sleeping while they're boiling, so there will be a lot of chatting and maybe card games to keep us awake. It is tiring but rewarding and it is what makes the holiday more fun.Merry Christmas!
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
30 Dec 08
Sounds like you celebrate in a rather joyful way. It is interesting to hear of the different methods and cultures of different nations of the world. In America I just basically put up a pretty Christmas tree with decorations and have some gifts to give.
My son really likes the holiday and believes in Santa Claus. We usually spend some time with the family and have a nice dinner. @sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
31 Dec 08
Yes, we do celebrate it joyfully. I think we have the longest Christmas celebration. Except for the dawn masses which we call Misa de Gallo, Christmas season often starts here, when the "ber" months starts. Like September, October until December itself. You begin to see christmas decors on display in stores, offices, almost everywhere. Even in the simplest house of the most ordinary family, you will find christmas lights or lanters or even christmas trees. People here are fun loving, that they can smile or laugh their troubles away. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! Thanks for the response.
