Among the many countries in the world, Philippines is distinctly known to have the longest Christmas season. Preparations for the holiday start as early as September because Filipinos consider the months ending with the syllable ‘ber’ as Christmas months. The celebration ends on the Feast of Epiphany or Three Kings which is celebrated on the first Sunday after New Year. Christmas is a time for Filipinos to set aside their personal problems and for once give in to the spirit of giving and sharing. The history or background, customs and traditions and also the attractive decorations make the country’s holiday season unique and interesting.
Christmas is translated as ‘Pasko’ in Tagalog. Pasko is derived from the Spanish words Pascua de Navidad.
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It is a series of novena which starts from December 16th and ends on December 24th. This is locally known as Simbang Gabi which literally means ‘Night Worship.’ Filipinos go to church at three or four o’clock every morning and afterwards have breakfast together. This specific tradition is the most cherished during Christmas because it shows deep devotion to God and this increases the anticipation of the Nativity of Jesus. Filipinos also believe that if a person attended and completed the nine masses, he or she can make one special wish that will be granted by God. Also after mass, it is tradition to buy and feast on puto bumbong (a sticky rice pastry), bibingka (rice cake) and salabat (ginger tea) or tsokolate (chocolate). These are sold right outside the church and along the streets. The next tradition is the ‘panunuluyan’ which is very similar to posadas in Mexico. This is observed in provinces throughout the country. It reenacts the journey of Joseph and Mary in search for a shelter while Mary was pregnant. Another Christmas tradition is the monito (male)/monita (female)- the Filipino version of secret Santa. Groups of friends, family, schoolmates or workmates draw names as early as December 1st and the chosen name would receive their gift. The most exciting part is keeping their identities a secret. The presents are usually given on a Christmas party where the …show more content…
It is the season that brings out the best in everyone. It is more than just a celebration because it is a blissful way of welcoming the coming of our savior Jesus Christ. As one united nation bonded with faith in God and love for family, this season signifies a very special occasion as it is the time when we share precious moments together with our loved ones. Filipinos love Christmas but it does not mean that we should only get excited and prepare for the activities on the month of December, it means that we should feel the Christmas spirit all year round and do good deeds each day of our lives. Celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is the best time to bask in the glow of the Filipinos’ merry spirit and experience the famous brand of hospitality. As Filipinos would greet anyone on the street, a “Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!” (Merry Christmas and Happy New
Christmas is a holiday filled with tradition, family, and happiness, but what most people don’t know is that Christmas is celebrated all over the world, not just the United States. Latin American countries are especially passionate about Christmas. The way Hispanic people celebrate changes throughout each country. Each one has its own unique Christmas culture. In this essay I am going to write about some of these different countries, and tell how each one is similar and different in showing their Christmas spirit.
Christmas is a holiday celebrated by most of the world. Christianity is very popular in the US and Hispanic cultures. In the US, Christmas is celebrated with going to Church on Christmas Eve, spending time with their families, and many other things. People also reenact the nativity scene, sing Christmas carols, and do
Another food is stuffed turkey and roasted stuffed pig. During Miranda(a event where a pig gets fried) a Christmas party in thrown with family, friends and neighbors. Also, families decorate Christmas trees. On Candle day, which is December 7th, candles are lit in window sills and and in streets to celebrate December. Most of these candles are red and blue. On the 16th of December families, neighbors and friends pray for 9 days. Santa does not exist in Colombia, instead Jesus gives them presents. A way that children hope to get presents is on the day before Christmas Eve, children write notes to baby Jesus and put these notes in the pesebre (nativity). These notes also can be called Carta Niño Dios. On Christmas, which is the 25th, they eat leftovers from Christmas Eve. On Christmas people in the U.S. eat ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, ham, stuffing and bread. In the U.S. people decorate Christmas trees with ornaments and lights. Families also hang stockings above fireplaces, bed posts, stair cases, window sills, door knobs and other places. Also, some children leave out cookies for Santa, they also write letters to him. It is believed that Santa Claus eats cookies that are left out for him, and he leaves presents under the Christmas trees for all the good boys and girls, and if you don’t be nice you get coal in your stocking instead of candy. Also, a tradition that started in 2005 is Elves
Las Posadas is a Mexican holiday that is like Christmas for the United States. It was originated in Spain and lasts for nine days. This holiday begins on December sixteenth and ends on December twenty-fourth. This is also a catholic holiday but most people in Mexico celebrate it. This holiday was thought to be started in the sixteenth century by “St. Ignatius of Loyola or Friar Pedro de Gant in Mexico.” In Mexico they have a tradition where they put a candle in a paper lampshade. Then they would take the lampshade with the candle inside it and went outside to sing a song, allowing Joseph and Mary to be recognized and allowed to enter the world. This is still a tradition today but one thing has changed from around when it was started. It, for some people, celebrated it in a church instead of the family’s home. There is a thing that is common for both the United Stated and Mexico. They both sing Christmas carols, they go along to houses or in a church and sing Christmas songs. On these days the children will break piñatas to get the candy and prizes inside. They also so another thing ...
... Religious Customs, History, Legends, and Symbols from around the World; Supplemented by a Bibliography and Lists of Christmas Web Sites and Associations. Detroit, Mich: Omnigraphics, 2003. Print.
What about other countries though? Is the Christmas season all about giving and receiving gifts? Are children in Spain rewarded by Santa with gifts and toys on Christmas Eve? In this essay we will look at what Christmas season means in Spain, and what traditions are prevalent in their culture. We will also look at the Christmas related traditions of Americans, and how those compare and contrast to those in Spain.
Christmas has consumed itself. At its conception, it was a fine idea, and I imagine that at one point its execution worked very much as it was intended to. These days, however, its meaning has been perverted; its true purpose ignored and replaced with a purpose imagined by those who merely go through the motions, without actually knowing why they do so.
Of all religious holidays that have been adopted by secularists, one of the most popular would be Christmas, originally meant to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. With the exact date of Jesus' birth unknown during ancient times, Christmas was initially assigned to January 6th, but was changed to December 25th under the influence of the winter solstice (Nothaft 903). Peculiarly however, is the universal celebration of Christmas al...
On this day many take the time to remember when the three wise men followed the star of Bethlehem and arrived bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. This is the day the children look forward to the most. Instead of writing their Christmas letters to Santa the children write it to the Wise Men. The evening of December 5th the child traditionally place their shoes in the doorway where the Wise Men will pass by. The children then wake up to find gifts left by the Three Wise Kings. On this day it is also a tradition to eat La Rosca de Los Reyes Magos. The Rosca is a sweet bread that is decorated with different candied fruit. It is shaped like a wreath and baked inside is a little figure of baby Jesus. Once the sweet bread is cut everyone who is at the celebration will get a slice and whoever has the slice with the figure of baby Jesus gets the privilege of hosting a dinner for everyone on February 2nd. Where Tamales with Atole is prepared and served. This day is filled with lots of fun and surprises.
In Brazil, the sea plays a special role during this time as Christmas is celebrated with the music of the waves. Countries like Bolivia and Ecuador celebrate with their traditional delightful music to give a sense of pleasure during this season. In Colombia, big cities like Bogotá, parks and city streets are illuminated with strikingly beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. In El Salvador and Nicaragua, people prepare their traditional food and at midnight, there is an awesome show of fireworks and estrellitas (little stars), which enhances the beauty of landscapes and beaches. Feasts and parties continue till midnight.
Although Santa has become the main staple of the Christmas season it is important to remember the true reason for the season. Jesus’ birth is what December 25 began as until Saint Nicholas day merged with it. Even though the character that has developed and encountered extremely drastic changes, he has almost always been a giving generous figure in society. “Santa is ‘an invention of the advertising industry’ and ‘a representative of consumer society,’ according to Bonifatiuswerk der deutschen Katholiken [Boniface of German Catholics], which seeks to restore St. Nicholas to his proper place in the Christmas season” (Sweas).
In Greece The Greek Christmas, or Christougenna, pays respect to the Nativity of Christ while also incorporating popular superstitions. On Christmas Eve, Greek children go from house to house knocking on doors and singing Greek songs that tell of the arrival of the Christ child. The family celebration focuses on a Christmas Eve dinner, which, in the Greek Orthodox tradition, follows several weeks of fasting. According to legend, mischievous, often hideous looking elves called Kallikantzaroi wreak havoc in houses for the next 12 days. Burning incense or leaving a peace offering is supposed offer some protection against the elves. Most families decorate a small wooden cross with basil and dip it into a shallow bowl of water. This is believed to give the water holy powers. The water is then sprinkled throughout the house to keep the mischievous spirits away.
Colombia has the second highest number of national holidays and many of the holidays are based around the Catholic church since 90% of the population is Catholic.Easter is one of the biggest celebrated holidays in Colombia because it has to do with Christ's resurrection. On Easter people carry a wooden carvings of Jesus crucifixion,death,and resurrection through 1 mile route through the city of Popayan. Some of the other important holidays are in December and they celebrate them by lighting up the city with candles,raising Christmas trees ,people often gather together to pray,they attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve,and eat a big meal on Christmas day,but they do not have a Santa they only have Jesus to bring them
Today it seems as though Christmas has fallen victim to materialism and commercialization. Rather than it being a time of loving and giving, it has become a stressful season of greed. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it is important for us to recognize the true reason of the season, and celebrate in a fashion that exemplifies that reason.
The magical atmosphere of Christmas is flourishing with these very special and wonderful Christmas Markets around the world, where people can enjoy the beautiful Christmas Carols, huge Christmas Trees, amazing decorations and lights, tasty food delicacies for Christmas, as well as unique Christmas gifts that they can buy from the Markets.