The Times Advocate, 2007-12-19, Page 2020
Times–Advocate
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas customs from around the world
Have you ever wondered which coun-
try has the most festive traditions sur-
rounding Christmas? The Philippines, a
predominantly Catholic country, has
earned the distinction of celebrating the
world's longest Christmas season.
Christmas carols are heard as early as
September and it is only after Epiphany
that the Christmas decorations are
removed.
Traditionally, Christmas Day in the
Philippines is ushered in by the nine -day
dawn masses that start on Dec. 16.
Known as the Misa de Gallo (Rooster's
Mass) in the traditional Spanish, and
these masses are also more popularly
known in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or
"Night Mass". The Simbang Gabi is the
most important Filipino Christmas tradi-
tion.
These nine dawn Masses are also con-
sidered as a Novena by the Catholic and
Aglipayan faithfuls. This refers to the
Roman Catholic and Aglipayan practice
of performing nine days of private or
public devotion to obtain special graces.
In some parishes, the Simbang Gabi
begins as early as four in the morning.
Going to mass this early for nine consec-
utive days is meant to show the church-
goer's devotion to his faith and heighten
anticipation for the Nativity of the Lord.
In traditional Filipino belief, however,
completing the novena is also supposed
to mean that God would grant the devo-
tee's special wish or favor.
After hearing Mass, Filipino families
partake of traditional Philippine
Christmas delicacies, either during
breakfast at home or immediately out-
side the church, where they are sold.
Vendors offer a wealth of native delica-
cies, including bibingka (rice flour and
egg based cake, cooked using coals on
top and under), puto bumbong (a purple
sticky rice delicacy which is steamed in
bamboo tubes, with brown sugar and
coconut shavings as condiments), salabat
(hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick
Spanish cocoa).
Christmas Eve
For Filipinos, Christmas Eve on
December 24 is the much -anticipated
Noche Buena -- the traditional Christmas
Eve feast after the midnight mass.
Family members dine together around
12 midnight on traditional Noche Buena
fare, which includes: queso de bola
(Span. literally "ball of cheese"; edam
cheese), "Tsokolate" (hot chocolate
drink) and hamon (Christmas ham), and
some would open presents at this time.
In different provinces and schools
throughout the Philippines, Catholic
devotees also reenact the journey of
Joseph and the pregnant Blessed Virgin
Mary in search of lodging for the soon-
to-be born Jesus Christ. This is the tradi-
tional Panunuluyan, also called
Pananawagan and Pananapatan.
This street pageant is performed after
dark on Christmas Eve, with the actors
portraying Joseph and Mary going to
pre -designated houses. They chant wika
wika bang bang, a traditional folksong
that is meant to wake up the owner of
the house as the actors ask for lodging.
But the couple (actors) are turned away
by the owners, also through a song.
Finally, Joseph and Mary make their
way to the parish church where a simu-
lated manger has been set up. The birth
of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with
the Misa de Gallo, together with hallelu-
jahs and Christmas carols. Everybody
celebrates this tradition happily yet
solemnly.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day in the Philippines is pri-
marily a family affair. Prior to the ticking
of 12 midnight on Dec. 26, Misa de
Aguinaldo is being celebrated. It is usual-
ly attended by the whole family. Misa de
Aguinaldo is the Holy Mass celebrated to
signify the Birth of Jesus Christ, the
Roman Catholic Church and Philippine
Independent Church (Aglipayan) in the
Philippines' main means of celebrating
Jesus Christ's birth.
Misa de Aguinaldo is also celebrated at
dawn or in the morning immediately
after sunrise before 10 AM, this schedule
is preferred by Filipinos
who choose to celebrate
Christmas Eve with a
night -long celebration of
Noche Buena.
Preferably in the morn-
ing, Filipino families visit
members of the extended
family, notably the elders
in order to pay their
respect. This custom has
been an age-old tradition
in the Philippines called
Pagmamano, this is done
by touching one's fore -
Activities for the holidays
NC—In addition to the traditional holiday activities,
families may be looking for some fun physical activi-
ties that the entire family can participate in. Don't
forget how easy it is to get out and spend quality time
together without having to spend a lot of money.
Sledding
• Bundle the kids up with mitts and scarves and
head to the closest hill to enjoy an afternoon of sled-
ding. Sledding is a perfect outdoor activity for all
ages that is both fun and physical.
• Invest in some winter "fun" equipment, includ-
ing snow tubes and snow racers. Younger kids will
enjoy snow tubes.
Ice skating
• Take your entire family to your favourite, local
skating rink, for an afternoon of ice skating. Ensure
little ones have proper safety gear, such as a helmet
and knee pads.
• Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and some holi-
day baking as a treat during breaks off the ice.
Holiday baking
• Get the entire family together for an afternoon of
baking. Make sugar cookies and let the kids help by
using holiday cookie cutters and decorating them
with sprinkles and icing.
• Package cookies in holiday printed cellophane
4,7›,
NOTICE
Huron County Administration Centre
in Goderich will be closed
Tuesday, December 25th,
Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 and
Tuesday, January 1st, 2008.
We would like to wish you and your families a
Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
Warden John Bezaire, Larry Adams, CAO ,
Huron County Council and Staff.
bags and tie with a decorative ribbon or assemble in
festive storage containers, perfect for last minute gift
giving.
Gift wrapping
• Once all of your holiday shopping is finished, gift
wrapping is an activity the entire family can take
part in.
• Make some hot chocolate or warm apple cider,
put on some holiday music and get into the spirit of
the season.
• When picking up your holiday necessities such as
gift wrap and ribbon, ask the kids to choose the holi-
day wrapping paper they like best, along with a few
inexpensive ornaments. The ornaments can be
affixed to the top of a present for added presentation.
Host a holiday open house
• Invite friends and family to your home for some
holiday cheer - to make it less expensive invite
friends to bring their favorite dish. If someone offers
to bring food or beverage, take them up on it!
People really do want to just spend time together and
help share the load.
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head to the elder's hand saying Mano Po.
The elder then blesses the person who
paid respect. Aguinaldo or money in the
form of crisp, fresh -from -the -bank bills is
given after the Pagmamano, most usual-
ly to younger children.
A Christmas Lunch usually follows
after the Pagmamano. The lunch is heav-
ily dependent upon the finances of the
family. Rich families tend to prepare
grand and glorious feasts that consist of
Jamon de Bola, Queso de Bola, Lechon
and other Filipino delicacies. Some poor
families choose to cook simple meals,
nevertheless still special. When the fami-
ly is settled after the lunch, the exchange
of gifts is usually done. Godparents are
expected to give gifts or Aguinaldo to
their godchildren.
When nightime falls, members of the
family usually take part in family talks
while listening to favorite Christmas car-
ols. Some may opt to have a glorious
Christmas feast for dinner.
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Wishing you a
Merry Christmas
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