Christmas in the Philippines
Hi there! Christmas in the Philippines is a very special time of the year when everyone gets really excited and happy. It is usually celebrated from the start of September all the way to January!
During this time, people decorate their homes with brightly colored lights and Christmas trees. They also put up "parols," which are star-shaped lanterns made of bamboo and paper. The parols come in different colors and designs, but they all represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to Jesus’ birthplace.
One of the things that makes Christmas in the Philippines so special is the Simbang Gabi, which means "Night Mass." Simbang Gabi is a series of nine early morning masses that take place from December 16th to 24th. People wake up really early in the morning to attend these masses, and there are usually different foods and treats being sold outside of churches like bibingka, puto bumbong, and tsokolate (chocolate).
Another special thing about Christmas in the Philippines is gift-giving. People exchange gifts with their family, friends, and neighbors, and it's not just the act of giving that matters, but the thoughtfulness behind the gift. Kids also go caroling, which means they go from house to house singing Christmas carols in exchange for small amounts of money.
Finally, on Christmas Eve, families gather together to celebrate Noche Buena, which means “Good Night.” They share a delicious feast and stay up late singing and playing games. Then, at midnight, they attend Misa de Gallo, which is a special midnight mass, to welcome in Christmas Day.
All in all, Christmas in the Philippines is a time of joy, love, and togetherness – a time to be thankful for the blessings of the past year and to look forward to the new adventures that the next year will bring.
During this time, people decorate their homes with brightly colored lights and Christmas trees. They also put up "parols," which are star-shaped lanterns made of bamboo and paper. The parols come in different colors and designs, but they all represent the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to Jesus’ birthplace.
One of the things that makes Christmas in the Philippines so special is the Simbang Gabi, which means "Night Mass." Simbang Gabi is a series of nine early morning masses that take place from December 16th to 24th. People wake up really early in the morning to attend these masses, and there are usually different foods and treats being sold outside of churches like bibingka, puto bumbong, and tsokolate (chocolate).
Another special thing about Christmas in the Philippines is gift-giving. People exchange gifts with their family, friends, and neighbors, and it's not just the act of giving that matters, but the thoughtfulness behind the gift. Kids also go caroling, which means they go from house to house singing Christmas carols in exchange for small amounts of money.
Finally, on Christmas Eve, families gather together to celebrate Noche Buena, which means “Good Night.” They share a delicious feast and stay up late singing and playing games. Then, at midnight, they attend Misa de Gallo, which is a special midnight mass, to welcome in Christmas Day.
All in all, Christmas in the Philippines is a time of joy, love, and togetherness – a time to be thankful for the blessings of the past year and to look forward to the new adventures that the next year will bring.
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