Christmas Is Definitely Here

Everywhere in the world, the most awaited season of love, giving and sharing is being celebrated in one way or the other depending on the country's religion and cultural background. In the Christian world, Christmas is a joyous season to celebrate the birth of Christ. In my native country, the Philippines, once the calendar months start with the "ber" ending like September, you will start seeing the first signs of this holiday season. Radio stations start playing Christmas songs in the airwaves. The malls and residential homes start putting up holiday decorations. Most of the children start making lanterns or locally called "parol" for their school's projects. Likewise schools and corporate offices start planning their own Christmas parties. Gift giving is the most prominent way of celebrating Christmas. Even if on tight budgets, we still manage to buy something for our loved ones and friends. Going into the 9 days before Christmas, "Simbang Gabi" is the center of activities. I missed going to mass at dawn before sunrise specially the yummy native delicacies right after.

In the city that I lived now, which I considered my second home, Christmas season is celebrated quite differently. Yes, the signs are definitely present with all the decorations that you can see in the malls and residences. Shoppers filled the malls for gift-giving and definitely for themselves, too. In this country where there is total religious freedom, you can see that each of the religious congregations celebrate this season in their own special way. "Holiday Season" is now acceptable just like when you call this "Christmas Season". However you call it, this is definitely the most awaited and important season of the year.

Here's wising you a "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" to one and all.

Please check out this link for pictures that I got from Bellagio's Botanical Gardens:http://lemueljon.multiply.com/photos/album/73/Christmas_Time_In_Las_Vegas_2009