The Christmas season is the most favorite time of the year to millions of Christians around the world where traditions have evolved and refuse to yield to the trappings of the modern era.
Filipinos in the U.S. could not have but feel emotional and nostalgic thinking of how different Christmas is celebrated in their home county. The signs begin to manifest when the months end in “ber” and the frenetic preparations commence. The Philippines is said to be a country that celebrates Christmas the longest.
While Christmas in the Philippines conjures up memories of time honored traditions introduced to its shores by foreign influences, the practices and symbolisms still persist and have been embellished by touches of modernity,
In their adopted county the Christmas scenery is almost similar – a warm house fully decorated, Christmas tree, light and families, and friends coming together to enjoy sumptuous meals- except for snow.
Paying Homage: Pilgrims from the U.S. marvel at the slab in Golgotha, Jerusalem where claimed as the place where Jesus was given customary burial treatment. Christians worldwide will celebrate His birth on December 25 amid the tumultuous state of the world that He offered Himself to save.
The Philippines’ Christmas traditions are representations of the deep and religiosity and fervor brought about by foreign influences.
The observance of the tradition of the nine-day devotion called “Simbang Gabi” has endured for more than 400 years. The prelude pre-dawn celebration of the Mass where the faithful brave the coldness of the morning to hear Mass tells of profound piety and religiosity of the people.
Catholic churches in hundreds of different locations in the Philippines, and even at the corridors of malls and shopping centers are venues for the celebration of the Mass with the participants hoping to earn Divine favor for their petitions..
Simbang Gabi is considered as one of the oldest Catholic traditions and traces its origin from Mexico in the 15th century with the granting of a petition by a certain Father Diego de Soria to hold the celebration of the Mass out the church perimeters owing to the large number of attendees which the church was unable to accommodate.
Simbang Gabi traditionally starts on the 16th of December and culminates on the 24th where church bells peel as early as 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. to invite the pious to hear The faithful endures the coldness of the morning harboring big hopes that by completing the attendance to the ritual they will have their prayers answered.
After Mass, attendees reward themselves with a variety of native delicacies with bibingka and puto bumbong always being the top favorites.
Over time, Simbang Gabi has undergone some adjustments that took into consideration the realities of the modern time. Many parishes in the United States celebrate “Simbang Gabi” at around 7 o’clock in the evening, not just in the morning to accommodate the needs of people with varying work schedules.
The Catholic leadership has encouraged their flock to attend Simbang Gabi Masses as the practice as “it a great source of spiritual nourishment in preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ”.
The hanging home-made lanterns (parol) by the windows is another tradition that has persisted for centuries. It is not only a decoration, but a work of art” that symbolizes oneness with the community spirit of celebrating and honoring the birth of Jesus Christ,”
The parol-making tradition began after the Philippines was Christianized. The word parol has its origin from the Spanish farol, which means lantern which originated from the Mexican piñata which like the parol is decorated with crepe paper, the most commonly used materials.
Originally from Italy, the piñata took a journey to Spain, Mexico and finally to the Philippines when the Spaniards brought Christianity to its shores.
The parols were used originally to illuminate the way of the church-goers on their way to attend the traditional Misa de Gallo.