Yipee! Today is December 24. It’s one day before Christmas. Here in the Philippines, we’re celebrating a important day for every Filipino in the country and around the globe which is called “Noche Buena“.

Noche Buena, often translated as “Good Night“, is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve. Custom in Spain, the Philippines and Latin America dictates a traditional dinner with the family on this night.

In our country, Noche Buena usually comes after the entire family has attended a late evening mass. Often on the table are: lechón, pancit, fried chicken, lumpia, rice, adobo, among others for the main course; desserts include halo-halo, bibingka, rice cakes, puto bumbong, ice cream, pastries and cakes; drinks include soda, wine, beer, juice, and goat milk.

Since we’re talking about a day before Christmas.. Let me share to you a movie animation what just I watched ago, “The Flight Before Christmas“

The Flight Before Christmas is a movie about Niko, a reindeer boy in Lapland, who has heard that his father is one of the famous flying reindeers of Santa Claus. Niko dreams of being able to fly. His friend and mentor Julius, a squirrel, tries to keep an eye on the boy. One day Niko overhears how a pack of wolves plans to go to Santa’s place on Korva-fjell and eat all the reindeers there. Niko and Julius have a near escape from the dreadful pack and are joined by Vilma, the beautiful weasel. Chased by the wolves and their leader, the gruel Black Wolf, the three manage to get to the top of the mountain, where Santa resides. The Flying reindeer squad does not believe Nikos tale about the wolves nor that he is the son of one of them. But when the wolves finally arrive, Niko proves that he is fearless and therefore able to fly. Niko meets his proud father. The wolves are beaten and Santa leaves for his big ride on Christmas eve. He invites Niko into his troops of flying reindeers, but he refuses. Family and friends comes first.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

Technorati Tags: Christmas, filipino, Filipino Christmas, filipino customs, Noche Buena, Pasko, Pinoy Christmas, The Flight Before Christmas

Yay! It’s two days to go before Christmas.

I’m excited to exchange and receive gifts this Christmas. Because of this, I remember a song entitled “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.

According to Wikipedia, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide), are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day (December 25) through the morning of Epiphany (January 6). The associated evenings of the twelve days begin on the evening before the specified day. Thus, the first night of Christmas is December 25-26, and Twelfth Night is January 5-6. This period is also known as Christmastide.

The 12 days has its origins in the pre-Christian Scandinanavian Winter Solstice, in which the Midwinter Feast lasted at least twelve days hence the twelve days of Christmas.

Over the centuries, differing churches and sects of Christianity have changed the actual traditions, time frame, and their interpretations. St. Stephen’s Day, for example, is December 26 in the Western Church and December 27 in the Eastern Church. Boxing Day the first weekday after Christmas observed as a legal holiday in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and was traditionally marked by the giving of Christmas boxes to service workers (such as postal workers and trades people)in the United Kingdom; December 28 is Childermas or the Feast of the Innocents. Currently, the 12 days and nights are celebrated in widely varying ways around the world. For example, some give gifts only on Christmas night, some only on Twelfth Night, and some each of the 12 nights.

As I am browsing the net, I was suprised that there are claims that the song gifts had hidden meaning to the teachings of the faith.  It is stated that the “true love” mentioned in the song does not refer to the earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself.

The “me” that recieves the gifts refers to every baptized person.

The “partridge in a pear tree” refers to Jesus Christ.

The other symbols mean the following:

2 Turle Doves refers to The Old and New Testament

3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity (The Theological Virtues)

4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospel and/or the Four Evangelist (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

5 Golden Rings refers to “Pentateuch” - the first five books of the Old Testament

6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and The seven Sacraments

8 Maids A-milking refers to the Eight Beautitudes

9 Ladies Dancing refers to the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lord A- leaping refers to the Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping refers to the Eleven Faithful Apostles

12 Drummers Drumming refers to the Twelve points of Doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed.

Feel free to watch 12 days of Christmas song in an Emo way…

12 Days of Christmas Emo Way

Technorati Tags: 12 days of Cristmas, Christmas, Christmas Symbol, Emo, Xmas song, youtube, youtuve