A lot of people consider Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year”. If we look into the real essence of this season, this is most definitely true for Christmas is all about sharing love, spreading goodness and living out our faith in honor of a child who is the reason for the season.
“Christmas is a holiday generally observed on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians worldwide, and many of its popular celebratory customs have secular themes and origins.”
Through the years, the spirit of Christmas has evolved and has become too commercialized, too expensive and extravagant. These days, we tend to associate Christmas with various icons such as Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, even Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Others focus much on the idea of it being a time for giving gifts and organizing parties.
No matter how differently people perceive it, we cannot deny the fact that both young and old alike continue to look forward to this season of love and happiness. For the not-so-young, it is a time to bring out that child-like wonder and feeling in us. Moreover, it is a time for healing and forgiveness, a time to be happy and reunite with family and friends.
We, parents, have the important role of keeping the real spirit of Christmas alive in the hearts of our children. Especially with the realities of economic and financial difficulties nowadays, having our children focus on the very essence of the season, rather than the material gifts and extravagant celebrations, can guarantee an even more meaningful Christmas for them.
One way to do this is to teach them to value traditions which focus on preserving the very essence of the season.
[previous|page|next]
1. Light up your home with the authentic Christmas symbol of Hope: The “Parol”.
A staple Christmas décor in every Filipino household, the Parol is indeed a symbolic display of the season. Parols are ornamental star-like Christmas lanterns from the Philippines. The shape is said to be inspired by the star on the Nativity of Jesus that guided the Magi to the manger. It also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos' hope and goodwill during the Christmas season (wikipedia).
With Christmas Trees starting to become an expensive item these days, having a parol for most Filipino families is often enough. One way for your children to appreciate this symbol is to get them to create their very own “parol”. They can choose whatever color or material they prefer to use. Hang them in various parts of your house.
Parents may check out the www.craftsforkids.com website for their how-to guide on making paper parol star craft.
2. Find the best place in the house and set up a “Belen”, to remind everyone of the real essence of the season.
Another, famous Christmas symbol is the “Belen”. The word, “Belen” is derived from the Spanish name for the town of Bethlehem. It is often a miniature depiction of the Nativity scene, showing the child Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph, an angel, farm animals, shepherds and the 3 kings.
As a child, I often wondered why in spite of the many beautiful Christmas decorations at home, my mom put so much effort into putting our Belen in the best and most lighted place in the house. Growing up, she has taught me that it’s okay not to have a Christmas tree or mistletoes but never, ever forget the “Belen”. This is a tradition I keep to this day with my own family. The Belen is always the first to be displayed in our home to usher in the holidays.
Involve your child in setting up your “Belen”. Give him the chance to choose the best spot in your home. Share with your child the nativity story while referring to the characters in your “Belen”. This could even be your Christmas bedtime ritual. www.biblestoryguy.com is an online bible stories for kids. Search for “The Story of Christmas” for a new way of re-telling the nativity story is through an interactive, online site such as this.
[previous|page|next]
3. Complete the 9-day Christmas Novena Masses (Simbang Gabi). Attend the Misa De Gallo and reflect on the “Christmas Story” as a family.
Most people actually start to feel that Christmas is just around the corner soon as “Simbang Gabi” begins. Most churches in the Philippines celebrate mass at 430 in the morning, starting December 16 up until December 24. This novena eventually culminates into the Misa De Gallo or the Christmas Eve mass which is often celebrated few hours before midnight to welcome Christmas Day. It has been common beliefs that after completing the 9-day novena mass, one’s wish would be granted.
For older children who can afford to wake up early for these masses, it would be good to encourage them to come with you and go to mass as a family. Ask them to write their non-material Christmas wish which can be used to motivate them to complete these 9-day Christmas novena by offering their wishes.
Help them to come up with their wishes... it could be for grandma or grandpa’s health or for either daddy or mommy based abroad to be able to come home for Christmas, and others.
Have breakfast together as a family after the mass and treat your kids to famous native delicacies such as the “bibingka” or “puto bumbong” or to a hot “pandesal” and hot chocolate combo. Share insights on the “real” Christmas story over breakfast.
4. Enjoy the merry season by spreading happiness and cheer through Christmas Carols.
In older times, caroling children were given gifts such as dried fruit, eggs, nuts or sweets; during the 20th century this was gradually replaced with money gifts — ranging from small change in the case of strangers to considerable amounts in the case of close relatives. Caroling is also done by marching bands, choirs, school students seeking to raise funds for trips or charity, members of folk societies, or merely by groups of well-wishers.
Music has been a Christmas tradition for generations. We all have our own favorites. Personally I love listening to holiday songs for it never fails to make me nostalgic about my very own childhood Christmas memories.
As parents we can teach our children a variety of songs which they can sing during family reunions, Christmas parties or even joining in your town or community’s caroling activities. Some of the popular Christmas carols for kids are Twelve Days of Christmas, Joy to the World, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Classic Christmas carols which kids would also love and best reflects the true meaning of the season are, Away in a Manger, Silent Night. Holy Night, The First Noel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Give Love on Christmas Day.
Have fun bonding with your family by playing a game of “name that Christmas carol” during dinner time together or while driving for an out-of-town Christmas holiday.
[previous|page|next]
5. Get to know the true story of Santa Claus – the Christmas symbol of giving
Perhaps the most famous and most commercialized Christmas icon is Santa Claus. Every person’s Christmas childhood memories, more often than not, involved a present from Jolly Old St. Nick. To enjoy the mystery of Santa Claus this season is not a bad thing for as long as we understand and teach our children what Santa Claus truly represents – GIVING and SHARING.
Santa Claus was actually based on St. Nicholas, a Bishop in the third century. Coming from a wealthy family, his parents raised him to be a devout Christian. Becoming an orphan at a young age, Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. As a young man, he was made Bishop of Myra and became known for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.
Santa had often been used by most parents to make sure that their children strive to be “nice” rather than “naughty” in order for Santa to give them their Christmas wish. I personally believe that the element of mystery as to “who is Santa Claus” and “if Santa is indeed true” will continue to be a Christmas tradition for generations to come. We parents can continue being our children’s “secret Santa” - ask your children to write a personal letter to Santa Claus by noting down the good things they have done this year like helping mommy clean the house, sharing a toy to a brother or a sister, visiting a sick grandmother, studying hard and getting good grades in school. After that, they can start to write their “wish list” for Santa. Ask them to write down a variety of gifts which you, as secret Santa, can choose to give. It is important as well to affirm your kids of the good things they have written down.
To add excitement to the mystery of Santa Claus, go to Disneyfamily.com and check out their “Discover Who Made Santa’s List” create your very own video message from Santa for your kids to enjoy. All you need is to send your child’s photo and enter his first name. I tried this and my son absolutely loved seeing his photo under Santa’s “nice” list in the video.
To add more meaning, you can also encourage your child to be someone else’s Santa, like donating his old clothes and toys to an orphanage or visiting a charity institution.
[previous|page|next]
6. Celebrate love with the entire family during Noche Buena.
The Noche Buena feast is the most anticipated gathering for families which is often celebrated after the midnight mass. For Filipinos, Christmas is all about family togetherness. Noche Buena, which literally means "Good Night", is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve.
A common Filipino Noche Buena would consist of hamon, lechon, fried chicken, quezo de bola, fruit salad and spaghetti, but in fact, even simple food shared with family would make for a memorable Noche Buena.
Get your children involved in the Noche Buena preparations to make it more special. Have them set up the dinner table with decorations they made themselves like a paper Christmas tree centrepiece. They can also help out in preparing the meals by helping you bake a cake or make dessert.
To add more meaning into the family dinner, you can ask your children to prepare simple Christmas messages which they can write in small cards they made themselves and place it on top of each family member’s plate. It can be a message of love or thanksgiving.
Make sure to capture all perfect moments with a still camera and video, most especially if you have a new-born baby in the family celebrating his or her first Christmas. And don;t forget to have your family picture taken.
Whether these traditions preserve the real essence of the season, promote happiness and cheer, spread love and share blessings, strengthen family togetherness… Christmas is and will always be all about love.
Love is the real essence of the season. Our love for our children will be the perfect Christmas childhood tradition they will forever carry in their hearts.
References: St. Nicholas Center.com / Wikipedia
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
