The Days of Christmas.

As the days inch toward Christmas, the Philippines is starting to slightly transform into a festive spirit. I’ve heard the claim that the longest Christmas season in the world is here, as Christmas carols and decorations could be found in the department stores as early as September. I’m not going to lie, I do enjoy every visit to the mall because of the carols. There are various Christmas decorations around the city, and the Christmas lights in the palm trees add an extra zip to the season. It is much different than at home, as the snow doesn’t need to be brushed off the trees in order to see the lights. The spirit of Christmas also seems much different here than at home - more about the arrival of baby Jesus, and less about Christmas "traditions" (I think that's what Christmas is supposed to be about anyways...if I recall). And then I saw the giant Santa Clause in the Bishop’s office, and I got confused…

This morning, I found myself awake at 3:00 AM and heading to Misa de Gallo with my siblings, which starts at 4:00 AM every morning for the nine days leading up to Christmas. This is a Spanish tradition, and it means “Mass of Dawn.” Why it starts at 4:00 AM is beyond me. Dawn clearly isn’t until 6:00 AM, since it was still dark by the time we returned home at 5:30. The belief is that if you attend Misa de Gallo for all nine mornings, your special prayer or wish will come true. Since I missed the first morning and probably will not attend the next seven mornings (that’s REALLY early), obviously my wish will not come true, although I find it difficult to believe that even if I attended all nine mornings that God would find a way to pay off my student loans or transport all of my friends and family to the Philippines. It was obvious by attending mass, though, that many people do hold Misa de Gallo very seriously. There were well over a few thousand people there—most were standing or seated outside on little stools or foldable chairs that they brought from home, watching the giant screens that were broadcasting the action from inside. As I looked around at all of the attendees, eyes were glazed over and heads were nodding in and out of sleep. Clearly there was a religious awakening going on, and I was left questioning what this “sacrifice” really means and if God really intended for people to walk through these nine days being overtired. It was so nice to return to my bed, finish watching Love Actually (for the Christmas spirit, of course), and fall back asleep.

December is also taken up by a series of Christmas parties that seem to occupy so much time and energy. Sunday night I accompanied my family to the Christmas party they have with all their friends. We rented out a local “sports complex” with two really nice pools, videoke (of course), and a place for eating. I believe there was also a driving range and tennis courts, but we stuck poolside. We had a ton of fun, and I got over the stress of singing videoke in front of my family for the first time. Even though my voice was shaky and I found myself laughing through most of it, it was accompanied by a few sad and lonely applauses at the end (just kidding, it was a huge round of applause—I think because it was over). The food was delicious, and I got some great swimming in. Man, it was cold though with a slight breeze and the temperature was down to 80 maybe! This weekend, I have three Christmas parties to attend, all at work. By next week, I should be tired to say the least!

You may be wondering if I am finding ways to celebrate here, being so far from home. To tell you the truth, even though I’m not usually a huge fan of Christmas, it is sort of difficult to be away from the White Christmas, the cookie baking, the Christmas trees, etc. Luckily enough, I received two Christmas packages so far this week, and they were both amazing! Since then, I’ve been listening non-stop to the Christmas music that arrived, enjoying the Christmas cookies and party mix that was sent, watching any of my movies that somehow remind me of the Christmas season, and reading a Christmas-themed book that arrived. You may think this is a little overboard, but I love it. The cookies arrived safe and sound, even though the box they were in was covered in ants. Thank goodness for Ziplock bags, though, and weak ants. They were my favorite—peanut blossoms (I think this is my first year where I haven’t baked them)—and even though they were smushed to crumbs and barely recognizable, having sat in the package for about a month, they were still so soft and delicious. The crumbs were put to good use by converting the cookies into a cereal. Easy. I’ve also finished all of my Christmas shopping to put me into the Christmas mood. I carefully picked out gifts for each member of my new family, and I can’t wait to spread the Christmas joy!

So although it’s not quite the same and not exactly a substitute for being surrounded by family and friends, it’s doable. In reality, I don’t like snow and cold too much anyways.