This Christmas is quite different from Christmases past. For one, there is a guarded feeling about it and around us as we found ourselves reeling from COVID-19. Large gatherings, the ones we usually have during Christmas, are discouraged if not prohibited. We are asked to exercise self restraint and caution vs. gatherings that may spark infections at this time of year. Yet, we find ways to make up for these restrictions. "Tuloy ang Pasko!" as we say. It is a defiance to the gloom brought about by the pandemic, and reflects our hope of the latter ending soon.
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After all those months of restrictions, we decided to put up our parol (Christmas lantern) in October, even before Halloween. To be honest, we had never removed our lantern for a couple of years but then had to make some house repairs after quarantine was eased. We removed the lantern from our balcony and tested it to see if the lights were all functioning. They weren't and we had our parol repaired before re-installing it way before Christmas. Anyhow, we like to joke about the Christmas season in the Philippines beginning when the first month ending in 'ber' arrives. I got this parol around in 2016 in Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga. It replaced an older one that was damaged and which hung from our old home.
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It felt great to hear Christmas Eve Mass from the Sacred Heart Cathedral (Yamate Catholic Church). It brought back a lot of fond memories. I served in both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses there in the 1990s. I did one reading for Christmas Eve Mass and two during the Christmas Day Masses, when most people were at work and few if anyone volunteered to serve (December 25 is not a holiday in Japan). I usually took the day off from my laboratory. I have a fond memory of one time I came to school after church. My sensei reminded me that it was Christmas and told me to go home or be with my friends. He laughed as we shared some wine that evening before we called it a day.
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We have two belens at our home. This one that we got at the Padre Pio shrine near Eastwood is set-up at our living room and is a permanent fixture there.
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This second belen we acquired last year (2019) and we intend to set-up during Christmas in order to preserve it. We have another, older belen, which was a gift from our Ninang Mila when I was still single and residing in Yokohama. It is made of crystal so we chose not to bring it out while our daughter is still quite clumsy. She turns 7 in January though and perhaps next year, I will bring out this belen.
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From our family to yours - A Blessed Christmas! May we all find peace, love and hope in this celebration of life!
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