Christmas Is Near

Ever since September people have been telling me that Christmas is near.  It is almost a type of greeting.  You can even hear people playing Christmas music beginning in September.  That is why it is said that the longest Christmas season is in the Philippines. 

People here call the months from September to December the "burrrrrr" months because they end in the sound "ber" or "burr".  This is also when it starts to get cold in Manila.  Instead of being around 100 degrees during the day it is only around 80 degrees!

Now it is getting so cold I need to cover myself with a sheet at night and close the windows to keep out the chilly winds.  Christmas is really near.

Next week on December 16 the Catholic Church in the Philippines begins "Simbang Gabi".  These are masses celebrated in the early morning around four or five o'clock.  Thousands of people participate in order to prepare for Christmas.

At these novena masses we priests are allowed to wear white vestments instead of the more somber purple of Advent.  Christmas songs are also sung.  From December 16 there is a festive atmosphere.  Advent is already over and the Christmas season is beginning.  As far as I know, the Philippines is the only country in the world that has such a liturgy. 

Anyway, Christmas is near-- really near.  Advanced Merry Christmas!!!