December 16, 2007

Posadas begins in Mexico. This Christmas celebration lasts nine days, with processions of "pilgrims," parties and pinatas. Similarly (and most likely transplanted from Mexico), in the Philippines the holiday season begins with Simbang Gabi, a nine-day preparation.

Tips for the day

A traditional Christmas symbol in the Philippines is the Parol, which is normally hung outside windows. Traditionally, the parol, a stand-in for the Star of Bethlehem, is made from bamboo sticks tied to form a star shape, and on which colored paper is pasted. Here's a site that tells you how to make a simple parol

Inner Advent & Inner Christmas

Christmas is a season, most traditionally the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany on January 6. So many people these days seem in a hurry to celebrate the season before Christmas, but I cherish the idea of maintaining a seasonal festival of 12 days. Counselor and writer Lynn Jericho encourages the process of Inner Christmas — a process of meaningful and enriching self-reflection from December 25 and January 6, the Twelve Holy Nights. It's designed for people of all faiths and traditions. You can view a movie and sign up for daily emails that she will send during the traditional 12-day period, each with a theme to encourage personal reflection. She also provides ideas for observing Inner Advent.

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