Proem
MERRY
CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND SUNDRY!
Technically
speaking Christmas is a religious festival observed by Christians. However, today's
Christmas celebrations have many aspects that have no relation to religion and
Christianity.
I
was born in 1946. After the passage of sixty years I would try to relate my observations
how Christmas celebrations have changed in Bohol.
The
Religious Aspect
Today
most Christians still go to church during Christmas. The Roman Catholics still
have their Holy Masses at dawn. The "Belen" or Nativity Scene ensemble
was started by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 and can be considered religious.
The
giving of gifts in imitation of the Three Magi who gave gifts to Baby Jesus can
also be considered religious. The singing of Christmas Carols is in the borderline
of being religious. The display of a "star" is religious when referred
to the "Star of Bethlehem." To greet someone a "Merry Christmas"
is also in the borderline of being religious. There was nothing merry or happy
in the Biblical story of Jesus' birth. The Christians considered it merry because
they have a savior.
The
Non-Religious Aspect
The
Christmas tree and its decorations, except the tiny bells, are non-religious.
The Christmas card, the "series lights," the Christmas party, and the
Christmas salary bonus are all non-religious practices during Christmas. The caroling
by children and the pastores are non-religious.
Santa
Claus, the reindeers, the sleigh, and most American practices we adapted are non-religious.
When
I Was Small
When
I was small our most important Christmas decoration was the Christmas Tree and
the Garland
or wreath with a candle. The garland is no longer displayed because it is now
attributed to decorations during wakes of the dead.
In
Roman Catholic homes, the Belen or Nativity Scene was the most important decoration.
Those who went on caroling will kneel and sing before the Belen. If the household
has no Belen, it means that they do not want to accept carolers.
Children
would do ambush caroling, but most of the time they would be shooed away because
they could not recite properly neither would they kneel before the Belen. Nowadays,
the rule has change. The Children are the only ones allowed caroling. The old
ones must ask a permit from the DSWD or municipal authorities.
When
I Was Young
In
the 1950s and 1960s there was a revival of the pastores. There were many dance
troupes that will sing and dance in the street in front of a particular house.
Eventually it was considered a menace that municipal ordinances were passed banning
pastores from the streets. By the 1970s the pastores practically disappeared.
Now
there is a move to revive the pastores but it is now performed in schools and
official shows. It is no longer the spontaneous and indigenous expression of a
dance form.
By
this time the "series bulbs" came into vogue. The old lantern or parol
(Sp: farol) ceased to become home decorations.
It
was also during the 1970s when Christmas parties came into earnest celebrations.
In the 1960s the Christmas parties were only celebrated in schools. If there were
parties done by organizations, it was always a formal ball complete with rigodon
de honor. By the 1970s, Christmas parties were celebrated everywhere and informal.
Nowadays you could no longer see the rigodon de honor and the younger generation
do not even know what it is.
Nowadays
Nowadays
there are still traditional Christmas practices celebrated but much have changed
within the last 60 years.
Nowadays
carolers will send you a letter that they will visit your house. The carolers
will ask for money. It is completely opposite to the American way from where we
get the practice. The Americans will announce that they will visit you and you
will expect that the carolers will be the one to bring the gifts and not ask for
money. Our nearest practice to the American way is to bring gifts to prisoners
and orphan homes.
Nowadays
the most awaited event is the Christmas salary bonus. It was President Ferdinand
Marcos who decreed as compulsory the granting of 13th month salary or Christmas
bonus. In my research only one in one thousand will remember President Marcos
when they receive the Christmas salary bonus. The younger generation does not
even know the great controversy elicited by the Presidential Decree of President
Marcos.
The
Christmas salary bonus has changed the over-all picture of Christmas. Instead
of a religious observance, people go on a spending spree to emphasize the mundane
aspect of Christmas instead of the religious aspect.
Society
always changes. I am just writing for posterity my observations how our Christmas
practices have changed through the years. | 
