As early as August I heard one radio station in Quezon City playing carols. While they say that Christmas is every time of the year, don’t you think that it was inappropriate to do that at that early? The host of the semi-religious program ignored my curious e-mail asking him why he was doing that but with no further shrill comments.
By custom, once the month ends in “ber”, viz., September, the long wait for Christmas is over in the Philippines. As days and weeks move further, the more carols are played in an increasing number of radio stations throughout the country that holds the record of having the longest Christmas Season in the world ending in Epiphany.
It is December and it’s getting “burr”. Yuletide spirit is here and I’m sure that by now, some exactly know where and how they spend Christmas; family members and relatives who come home from abroad or elsewhere, what gift to wrap for whom, the menu for the traditional Noche Buena the parties to give or attend to and for the more blessed, what to shop and where to shop.
In the years of my youth, (Here I am again, comparing my generation with the present.) where TV was a luxury item, no internet, computers, cell phones, cable TV and a less reliable technology, the thrust was strictly spiritual. Boys and girls are urged to and prepare piously for the coming of the Redeemer by attending the Misa de Gallo, the midnight Mass and contemplate on the birth of the Messiah, born in a lowly manger and gave His life for all so that we may live.
If there is a common wish at that time, it was a new dress or pair of shoes to be worn on Christmas Day. Grapes, oranges and apples, candies or chocolate are the favorite flavors in groceries while in some homes, traditional native pastries are made. Not to be forgotten are the staccato bursts of firecrackers almost 24/7.
Candle-light lanterns illuminate the street for nomadic carolers at night while candies, old Christmas cards, figurines and apples embellish some fresh Christmas trees.
Shades of commercialization were there but considered “bargain” or “sale” compared today where in big cities and in the neighborhood, state of the art technology and pricey goods make Christmas so expensive.
At a quicker pace, the Philippines is getting more Westernized in celebrating Christmas in a secular norm simply understood as shopping and gift-giving season.
When asked if one is ready for Christmas half a century ago, the expected answer is “Yes, I am regularly receiving the sacraments and doing personal meditation.”
Today, at least in the West, one responding the same question says “No, I still have to buy some gifts to complete my list and know whom to invite for a Christmas party.”
It looks like Christmas among the rich and powerful is losing its real essence while those suffering from poverty; not by choice but by force due to bad government and irresponsible government officials, Christmas is a time for them to identify themselves with Jesus who is poor, rejected and with the beasts of burden as His first guests instead of the “big shots”.
As December progresses, may this country come to accept that Christ is the meaning of Christmas and not secularism and materialism. -30-
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Photo Credit:
http://hackedgadgets.com/wp-content/_led_christmas_star.jpg
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