“Malamig ang pasko ko,” is what we hear from people who are single this Christmas. We cannot deny that spending Christmas with a special someone is something that most people look forward to. Pero sa iba, dahil walang special someone, they sulk away and do not gleefully celebrate the season. Pero kailangan ba talagang maging malamig ang pasko? Ang nobyo o nobya ba ang dahilan ng pagdiriwang natin ng nakapaespesyal  na araw na ito?

We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth and life of Jesus Christ. During this season, we are reminded that He walked this Earth to show us the perfect example to follow.  We remember that because He came, all men will rise from the dead, can be forgiven of their sins, and have the opportunity to return to Heavenly Father. When we embrace that He is the reason for the season, we will be reminded that His birth and life are enough reasons for us to be joyful, grateful and feel loved. His love alone is enough para mapawi ang kalamigan ng mga puso ng mga taong malalamig ang pasko. At ang pagmamahal na ito ay ipinaparamdam niya sa pamamagitan ng ating pamilya at mga kailbigan. His love is always available to us not just during the season but in every season of our lives.

Some may say na hindi ganoon kadali maging masaya ngayong pasko kung sobrang nasasaktan ka. That’s true. Hindi nga talaga madaling maging masaya but the Lord counseled us through Gordon B. Hinckley, “The best medicine for despair is service.” There are many ways that we can serve this Christmas and every service that we do is valuable to Him. Giving service will increase our love towards Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and as we are filled with their love, our capacity to love others will grow.

May the perfect love of the Savior fill and warm the hearts of those who are in despair. At sana mapawi ng pagmamahal na iyon ang lahat ng kalamigan ng pasko sa bawat puso ng mga tao sa mundo.

The post Kasama ka ba sa samahan ng malamig ang pasko? appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Christmas season starts on the 1st day of September

Filipinos call the season the ber months—which refers to the four months that ends with the syllable “ber”. The Philippines is known for having the longest Christmas season in the world. As early as September 1st, shopping malls and stores start selling Christmas items and advertising Christmas promotions. Filipinos begin to decorate their houses with Christmas trees, lanterns and lights. Christmas carols are played on FM radio stations and people start humming Christmas carols. Streets begin to light up with Christmas lights and people start counting down the days until Christmas.

Filipinos celebrate Halloween but it doesn’t overshadow the Christmas season at all. Don’t be surprised if you see a family watching a Halloween movie on a television beside the Christmas tree. Or when a 70-year old man asks the kids to sing Christmas carols instead of saying “trick or treat” before he hands out candies on Halloween.

And oh, Filipinos don’t celebrate a national thanksgiving day in November. Each town celebrates their own thanksgiving day at different times during the year. So there is no huge celebration that stands between September 1st and Christmas day.

Kids go from house to house singing Christmas carols

While Western kids go from house to house asking for treats during Halloween, Filipino kids do it during Christmas. They gather friends to go with them. Some bring aluminum plates and bang them with forks to create a drumming sound while they happily sing their Christmas carols. But not only are they asking for treats, but they also expect an aginaldo (Christmas money). Kids walk away happy even if they receive as little as 5 pesos. At the end of the night, they will gather around, count the money and treats, and divide everything among themselves. Don’t be surprised if you find them again at your doorstep the next night.

Christmas parol is a must-have in almost every home

A parol, Christmas lantern, is a five-pointed star made of bamboo strips and covered with cellophane or colored paper. It is the most popular Christmas decoration in the Philippines. Some people cannot afford a Christmas tree made of plastic so they make their own parols made of recycled materials such as used plastic straws and newspapers. A parol can be found hanging in mansions and humble homes.

Are there any other Filipino Christmas traditions that you know about? You are most welcome to share in the comment box below.

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