What was Christmas Like Back Then...

Whenever I hear Christmas songs, a chilly feeling would run down my spine. Christmas songs never fail to enchant me and bring me back to my childhood days.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire....

We never roasted chestnuts when we were young, and we didn’t even have an ‘open fire’. As a young child, I’m more familiar with peanuts and kornik which I would usually buy at the back of ND Girls where I studied. Life was very simple back then. I never knew there were more to the world than how I saw it as a child.

My mom said I was very independent even as a child. At kindergarten, my parents would usually pick me up from school. I was 5 years old when I went to Junior Nursery. One day, the teacher dismissed us early and instead of waiting, I went home by myself. My mom was so surprised to see me that she reprimanded me. Just the same she was very proud of me. Day after day, I grew up to be a very studious girl. Mom said after school I’d read my books first without their prodding, before I even play with my friends.

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir...

One of my memorable experiences in high school was when I joined the choir. I love to sing. I am attracted to people who sing too. No wonder I found myself in a choir at a young age. I feel like I am able to express myself when I sing. It’s a form of release. Those good old days will be with me forever.

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow...

I went carolling too. I was allowed to go carolling with my friends. We made use of soft drink caps hooked together in a string as tambourines. Even if I lived among Muslims in our village, I remember singing Christmas songs for them too and we were very happy to receive a peso or two.

We’ll find it hard to sleep tonight...

Eating together with my family was the best time of all. We’d sit together sharing Spaghetti and Fried Chicken. We laugh together, we sing together and play together. My father would light a Christmas fountain and we enjoyed watching whistle bombs fly, even the sinturon was a delight when used before New Year’s eve. After high school, Noche Buenas were never the same... and now that we have our own families, we seldom gather around together for Christmas eve. I miss those days,but......

"Jolly Old Saint Nic"

Even as a child, I look forward to Christmas Day, especially the night before Christmas when I hang my socks on a Christmas tree and wait for Santa Claus. On Christmas eve, my parents would tell us to sleep and they would wake us up at 12 midnight, to see the gifts supposedly delivered by Santa Claus. Every time I'd ask how come they didn't wake us up when he's here, their usual reply is " He's in a hurry, he needs to deliver all the gifts to little children in the world". It took a long time before I realized that my parents were "Santa Claus", I was already 10 when I found out. You see, I was born in a poor family but I appreciate very much this Christmas tradition. I saw the spirit of generosity and love in my parents and no matter how small the gifts were, to me, they were precious.

When I was older, I found out that Santa Claus is St. Nicholas and that we could ask for his intercession when we need money. I cherish this tradition in the family and I want to do the same for my children. How many families still cling to this tradition?

I thought it would be nice writing here a short history about who St. Nicholas is.....

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

When he died, his relics were brought to Bari (Italy). Particularly, after the tenth century, he has been honored by the whole Church. His feast is celebrated every December 6.

Come December 6, let us ask his intercession so that we have enough money to buy gifts for our children and friends.

Read more about St. Nicholas at http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38.

Thirty-one days before Christmas

Christmas is coming!!!

But I cannot feel the spirit soaring in the air these days. If before Christmas lights adorn the streets, I barely see a glitter on street lamps. The global crisis is reaching its peak and I really don't know if Christmas will ever be the same again.

This is the reason why I decided to write blogs before Christmas. Everyday, I will write touching stories of life and love and remember Christmas in the Past and Christmas Now...