Christmas is a
very special holiday in the Philippines. On the first day of the "Ber" months (September to December), radio stations begin to play Christmas songs. People
set up their Christmas trees and start decorating their homes with colourful lights and lanterns. Christmas
is the most awaited celebration before the year ends.
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| Our Christmas Light Display |
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| Lantern - a symbol of Christmas |
Christmas
celebration is always a family event. During this season, members of the family
that have been away for some time find time to visit their relatives and spend Christmas Eve together.
Here in Canada, if immigrants don't have their family with them yet, friends and fellow
Filipinos are the closest to family they'll have.And they are lucky if they have several fellows in the community to somehow make them feel at home.
Every year in our small
town of Kipling in Saskatchewan, all Filipinos have a gathering on Christmas Eve. Every household
brings food which will be served on the Noche Buena. In addition to that,
several parlour games are also
prepared for everyone to enjoy. The traditional gift-giving is always a part of
the celebration and the kids are the lucky ones because they receive the most number of gifts from
their Ninong and Ninang (godparents).
No doubt Christmas is a very joyful tradition with family and friends. But we should not forget the reason of this festivity - that is to remember and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
No doubt Christmas is a very joyful tradition with family and friends. But we should not forget the reason of this festivity - that is to remember and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
