Christmas was the most festive season when I was growing up.  House decorations and strings of light start coming out of storage boxes as early as September!  Stores began filling up with decorative items and radio stations were playing Christmas music. The Christmas tree came up by late November or early December.

All Saints’ day and All Souls’ day were the only days that came between the start of preparation and Christmas day itself. It was important to remember the lives of the Saints and the dear departed through prayers. Afterwards, it was all about preparing for the celebration of Christmas.

Christmas carols were sang by children roaming the streets. A few pieces of coins and maybe some treats were enough to make them happy. The most generous households become popular with children and adults alike.

Misa de Gallo, a 9-day vigil leading to the celebration of the midnight Christmas mass, started on the 16th of December. My active participation with the Misa de Gallo started when I became a guitar player for the chapel choir at 13 years old. The mass started early and waking up early at 13 years can take a toll on the day’s activities. It was never an option though not to participate.

Christmas eve mass was always the most anticipated. First, it was Christmas eve!  Second, it was worth celebrating the completion of 9 days of vigil at 3 o’clock in the morning. Lastly, there was noche buena. At 13 years old, I think it was the last reason that the most important!

On Christmas day, family and friends came around for a visit. Our house became the hive of activities. Family and close friends were expected to arrive. The most cherished visitors though were the indigenous mountain people who came and traded goods during Christmas. They were coming back so regularly that personal relationships were established. We remember fondly the children who came with them and saw them grow up through the years. One particular little boy came back one day as a strong young man and greeted us like family members.

I was looking at my children and know that they have had several Christmas seasons under their sleeve.  They had been accumulating memories over the seasons and I was wondering if they share the same perception. I tried to give them the same wonderful experience I had and I hope that they remember that the season of Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ.

What wonderful experiences do you have of the Christmas season?  Thanks for reading!