Yeay, happy December friends. December morning breeze. It’s cold outside.
Did you notice? WordPress has again activated the falling icicles in our posts. It’s lovely, isn’t it?
I’ve been looking forward to December. I guess it’s actually the best month of the year, a joyful season to celebrate and to bring joy to others too. Trite as it may sound and no matter how commercialized the celebration of Christmas has become, it is still the best season to share, to bond with families and friends and to remember the sacrifice Jesus has made for mankind. It’s the season of faith, the season of joy and the season of togetherness.
I remember some old Christmas past. Back in the province when we were younger, Christmas was celebrated solemnly, attending the midnight mass and having Noche Buena later. Although it was way, way different from how we celebrate it today, it was the best. Mom would prepare a simple Noche Buena meal of pancit bihon, suman and hot chocolate. Dad would bring home lots of apples and quezo de bola and a big box of old clothes donated by the high school students of the university (UST) where he used to work and mom would distribute them to our neighbors. My uncle would cook binungey, a delicacy native to Pangasinan. It’s made of malagkit (sticky rice) and coconut cream cooked in bamboo and is lined up over fire and charcoal. I think that’s the best there is in cooking rice cakes. You just have to cut the bamboo in half to get the cooked malagkit inside.
Back then, we didn’t have exchange gifts at home but Mom and dad would buy us simple toys to play with. The grade school days were the same when Christmas comes near. We would find a robust tree outside and decorate it with hand-made paper strings, cut colored paper made into small parols and stars, candies and occasional plastic decor brought by our teacher. Exchange gifts are of simple things like hand towels, bath soap, pencils or box of candies. We were happy receiving gifts that way.
Nowadays, celebration of Christmas has become a little extravagant. Instead of simple gifts, we give gadgets, expensive toys, and the like. Gone are those days when a box of candies would suffice. Christmas wouldn’t be one without ham, pasta, meat recipes, sweets,cakes and what have you.
I hope we would always remember why we celebrate Christmas. I hope we would always remember the little child born on Christmas day.
I agree it’s the best month of the year (next to my birthday month i guess..hehehe.., allow me to be a little selfish) …It’s simbang gabi season and i’ll be hearing that Pasko Na Sinta Ko song once again.
“I hope we would always remember why we celebrate Christmas. I hope we would always remember the little child born on Christmas day.” – Thanks for this beautiful line. It’s worth thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeay, thanks Joel. I know, I am looking forward to Simbang Gabi too. Basta sa akin no matter how simple the celebration is, parating masaya ang Pasko. Of course our birthday month would always be a treasured one.Have a blessed Thursday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. Likewise, have a blessed thursday to you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! How many more days to go? Malapit na.
LikeLiked by 1 person
24 more days, and my gosh malapit na rin ang Miss Universe, hehe, i’m super excited…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy December! I enjoyed reading about your memories. Everything sounded delightful and delicious!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks a lot Kitty 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t agree more Arlene. Putting Christ back into Christmas.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Miriam:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely post and I loved the last line 🙂 Really enjoyed hearing your Christmas memories xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. That’s so nice to know Samantha. I truly appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Insightful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Aina 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am excited for Christmas, too! For 2 years now, I work on Christmas eve but that does not make the happiness less 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the visit Meg and for commenting here. Christmas is a season of joy, let’s all be happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finally, you have your beloved December, Arlene. It has been a long wait for you, but now you can count down those days until Christmas.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know Pete. It’s 23 days to go before Christmas. I hope your celebration would be a happy one too.
LikeLike
Well it will be a celebration of sorts, Arlene. Not sure how happy it will be!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just enjoy the season of giving 🙂
LikeLike
November is the only month I dislike in Sweden so I love it when December comes. All our neighbors has lights o various kind, indoors and outside. And so do we
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is the same all over the world. We always have those lovely decor when Christmas comes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always interesting to learn about Christmas traditions, especially food traditions, in other cultures. May you have a holiday full of light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot for your comments. May you have a blessed celebration of Christmas too.
LikeLike
My Christmas is going to be a little strange this year. The first without Dad. Wishing you a wonderful festive season. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, sorry to hear about that Jo. I hope it would still be a happy one for you.
Thanks a lot for dropping by.
LikeLike
I am glad you told me that WordPress put up those icicles. I thought something was wrong with my Mac. LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, they put it up every year.
LikeLike
A lovely reminder of what Xmas is really about… and you’re so right – we have become very extravagant in recent years… I’m definitely ‘cutting back’ this year… not quite ‘Scrooge’ though yet.. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a blessed Christmas Wendy. We can always choose to celebrate in a simple way.
Thank you for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m definitely keeping it much simpler this year and simply enjoying some lovely time with my family! What could be better.. I hope you have a wonderful Xmas too Arlene.. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so happy it’s December haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oo nga, panahon para magsaya 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person