It's fun caroling......

 Filipinos love singing. So no wonder that during the Christmas season their love for singing find a platform in Christmas caroling. Our Paskong Pinoy is not complete without the spectacle of Christmas street carolers.  Caroling is an enduring and beautiful Filipino Christmas tradition. Once the month of December comes, or sometimes even earlier, carolers will be on their feet singing carols to spread the spirit of Christmas joy through songs.

Children like to form groups and enjoy hopping from one house to another every night singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and traditional Filipino Christmas songs like Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Pasko na Naman, and Namamasko.

Filipino ingenuity comes naturally with the handmade musical instruments made from bottle tops for tambourine, or drums fashioned out from used cans or biscuit tins. The children are happy with whatever amount from the generosity of people shared with them for singing Christmas carols. Usually, they appreciate the gesture by singing.... "Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you!"

Even Church organizations, clubs, groups of friends and other adults raise funds through their yearly caroling. Most of these strolling minstrels are well equipped with their musical instruments like guitar, drums and tambourine. They also practice their songs weeks ahead and they are ready to sing with all their heart to spread the joy and warmth of the Yuletide Season. Some of these groups give a letter in advance to inform the date and time of caroling, as well as the beneficiaries of their funds. 

SOME TRIVIA:

Some say there is no definitive history behind Christmas caroling. Where they originated, who wrote them, and how they evolved in unclear. Caroling is an oral tradition passed down from generation to generation. 

Nonetheless, some historical accounts claimed caroling is rooted in feudal societies, where poor citizens "sing" in exchange for food or drink for supper.  Another theory is that carolers traveled door-to-door because they were originally allowed to perform in churches. But these are but stories and they don't have clear factual basis.

But regardless of its actual origin, our Paskong Pinoy is definitely bleak without the usual Christmas carolers, like during the pandemic. So let us be generous and welcome our Christmas carolers from the generosity of our hearts in the spirit of the Christmas Season. For "God so loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son." (Jn 3:16) This is the meaning and essence of Christmas for us who believe.

We wish you a Happy and Beautiful Christmas caroling. Namamasko po!

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

 A New Liturgical Year in the Advent Wreath

We begin a new Liturgical Year for the Church in the Season of Advent. This is the time to prepare our hearts to receive Christ once again, in His coming at Christmas. Let us reflect upon our lives in anticipation of His second coming, at the end of time. 

The Advent Wreath is perhaps the most common Advent symbol and is also one of the most popular tradition for the home. In Churches and chapels, homes and offices, we see a beautiful symbolism of Advent in the Advent Wreath.  It is made up of various evergreens in circle, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, depicts the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found only in Christ, the eternal Word of the Father.

The Advent Wreath has four candles, which refer to the four weeks (or four Sundays) of Advent. Each week represents one hundred years, according to tradition, to sum up to the four thousand years from the time of Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior. Each candles is lit on each Sunday of Advent.  The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord's first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.

The color of the three candles is purple and one is color rose. The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifice, and the good works the faithful undertake at this time in preparation for Christ's birth.

On the third Sunday of Advent, the rose candle is lit, and this Sunday is called "Gaudete Sunday", or the Sunday of rejoicing. It is so because the faithful are now at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas Day.

These are the meaning of each of the candles on the Advent Wreath:

First Sunday of Advent - "The Prophet's Candle":  It symbolizes hope to remind us that Jesus is coming and in remembrance of the prophets, primarily the Prophet Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ.

Second Sunday of Advent - "The Bethlehem Candle": It symbolizes faith which reminds of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and Christ's birth in a manger in the City of David.

Third Sunday of Advent - "The Shepherd's Candle": It symbolizes joy and reminds us of the joy of the fulfillment of the promise of God to send a Savior by the birth of Jesus. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent - "The Angel's Candle": The fourth Sunday of Advent symbolizes Peace with the Angel's Candle reminding us of the message of the angels: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."

The Advent Wreath is a beautiful way to enter into reflection alone or with our family. Slowing down during the hectic rush of the season and bringing family together around the Advent Wreath can be a source of peace, grace, and blessings shared with one another throughout time.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!