December 16, 1999
Thursday, PH
Dear Christmas Diary,
I have chosen this day (December 16) to start my Christmas journal because it may be the official time to start Christmas celebrations here in the Philippines. Well, we actually start it way earlier than today – by the time the “ber months” (from September to December) roll in, people start to unconsciously dream about festivities – that is the informal start of Christmas here. This is one reason why they say that Christmas celebrations is said to be the longest here. So the excitement, enthusiasm, and preparations of the people for the upcoming holiday is very much in the air long before today. Still, today (Dec 16) is a very special day because it marks the start of the nine-day midnight mass novena and I attended. I am actually proud and happy to say that I started my Christmas with God. It leaves me with a solemn feeling and a refreshed outlook in life.
As expected, the whole church was packed with people. My Mom and I arrived at the church 30 minutes earlier yet we were not able to find a seat. Yet as the priest appreciates the presence of many people, he seems to expect the diminishing of crowd on the days to come (I actually expecting the same). Still, he encouraged everyone to complete the novena and I can very well see that he is doing the best he can to attract more people to the church.
The place is ready for the occasion as the church seems sparklingly bright. The choir sounds angelic. The classic symbol of Christmas, the belen is set at the altar. Of course, the symbol of the advent is also present –the four candles that are lighted every Sunday until Christmas arrives. While the choir is belting out songs relating to Christmas and the salvation that advent brings, the final song for the night is Jose Mari Chan’s, ‘Christmas in Our Hearts’. Tagged as the official Christmas song in our parish, it is kind of cute how almost everyone joined in the singing once it plays.
Finally, I also discovered another first for today. I learned that December 16 is the official day for carolers. Sad to say, there seems to be less carolers these than during my childhood days. Also, the children today seem more engrossed to the idea of making money than savoring the Christmas spirit. They also mostly sing mainstream English Christmas songs. If they sing a
Filipino song, it would mostly be the song by Mr. Jose Mari Chan.
I miss to hear the funny Tagalog Christmas carols that my friends and I used to sing. We try our best to memorize those songs and really make an effort to practice. We used to ask for help from our tito’s, tita’s, and parents so we would know the lyrics of old Christmas songs. We also take time to learn even the not so famous American Christmas songs.
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