Just as in the United States, Christmas is beginning to be seen and heard here in the Philippines. It is about three weeks until Advent begins, and there are stores with Christmas decorations, Christmas music on the radio and commercials and shows about Christmas on the television, even some homes already twinkling the Christmas spirit. I am sure it will be in full swing before long. Just about everyone I have told that I will be here until February has, after a moment of thinking, excitedly said, "You will be here for Christmas!!" I have heard stories about the 4am Christmas novena at the Cathedral (that's right, I said 4am... these people LOVE getting up at the crack of dawn!!), Christmas caroling, visiting poor barrios on Christmas day, and more. But there is a good reason, I think, for all of the early Christmas craze here.
I have never been one to want to hear Christmas music or see anything Christmas until at least after Thanksgiving, but even a week or two before Christmas would be better! My Grandmother told me that as a child, they never saw their decorated Christmas tree until Christmas morning, and she continued that tradition for her own family. My grandparents would go to midnight mass on Christmas, then come home to decorate the tree and the house, prepare for the morning and eat a early morning Christmas breakfast (like Filipino early!!) Then they would go to sleep for a few hours until their children awoke excitedly in the morning. In my own home, my mother would begin decorating for Christmas around the middle of December and we would get our tree a few days before Christmas. Everyone has their own way of preparing for and celebrating Christmas. This year, the young children, scholars and adults alike are all super excited about celebrating Christmas... and it has nothing to do with me!!
Two years ago, on November 8th, Typhoon Yolanda hit in the southern part of Samar. That is a few hours from here, but Borongan felt the effects of the powerful super typhoon and suffered after it hit as well. There was no power for most of Samar that year until about early January, that included December 25th. Not only was the power out, but the homes here suffered damage, and many, many people suffered losses of family members, property, and possessions. December 25th came that year, as it always does, and was observed with mass, but there were no celebrations. The work that needed to be done within the Oikos community and especially in barrios to the south, elapsed all celebrations.
One year ago, in early December, typhoon Ruby hit. Most of the Oikos homes were flooded and there was so much damage and destruction here in Borongan, including another Christmas with no power. Not only that, but the sisters and the children and mothers they care for were all living in my current house, Nazareth Home. It was crowded and noisy all the time, so I am told, and dark!. With so much work to be done and so many hardships not only in Oikos, but in all the homes around Borongan, another Christmas went by without a celebration.
So I would imagine you can understand the excitement here about Christmas! Everyone, from the young children to the oldest folks here are keeping their fingers crossed and their prayers storming heaven that no typhoon comes so that the traditional Christmas festivities that I have heard so much about will happen this year. The rains have begun, as it is November and we are well into the rainy season now, it does not stop the hustle and bustle of life here, but typhoons do. Please join your prayers with ours that there will be no Typhoon Grinch to take the festivities and merriment of Christmas away. You know, for some people, just saying the word "Christmas" brings a twinkle to their eyes... the kids' eyes here are twinkling with hope. I hope nothing comes along to take that twinkle away!!
On a side note, never before in my life have I ever heard frogs croak as loudly as they do here. I wish I had a tape recorder so you could hear them. It is almost obnoxious! At Providence Home, especially in the quiet of the night, the unbelievably loud chorus of croaking and ribbiting is like listening to an orchestra of first-time musicians trying to play Beethoven... it just doesn't gel with the night music of the crickets and other night creatures that make their soothing noises outside while I am safe from them inside. It is pretty funny, for about 2 minutes, then I want them to stop so I can sleep!! xxoo
