As a Christian myself, I have been looking forward for this season every year of my life...I remember our family reunion every 25th of December, where my family and all my relatives come to our ancestral house to celebrate Christmas together. We'll have lunch together, have some fun games, singing contests (yes, we are a clan of songbirds) exchanges of gifts, chats and exchanges of funny stories. Everyone is excited to see each other as most of them have come from other towns or provinces and very seldom that they do visit their hometown. I remember, during childhood, how I feel so excited to see my cousins, whom I only see during this day and how I loved playing with them..
Years gone by so fast that now, I am actually spending my Christmas in the desert, an Arab region where Christianism is recognized but Islam is still the dominant religion..I am just happy that in this country I'm staying right now, there is a Catholic Church that you could attend the "Simbang Gabi" which I think should be called "Simbang Umaga" since it is an early Morning Mass. This muslim country is quite open that you could actually see Chrismas decors in shopping malls, such as Christmas Trees, Santa Clausand his reindeers, etc. They are so open to Christian religion, that on Christmas Day, Muslim people are greeting us "Merry Christmas!" Yes, you heard it right! =) It is actually fascinating to hear them greeting you with that, but at the same time, it will remind you that you are in your office on Christmas Day!
Oh yeah, we have work on Dec.25! It's not an official holiday in the middle east, off course. That is where I would start thinking of how happy my relatives are celebrating the holiday in my grandma's house, while I am in my office desk working. You start to reminisce the past, where you feel special during Christmas as your parents, aunts and uncles, godmothers and godfathers, are giving you Christmas presents.
But as any OFW, I have to stay strong and focused. Even if it's hard to fight homesickness, I have to face the fact that everything is different now. Thank God for internet though, the world became so small, that I could actually check the photos and watch videos of the gathering once my sister or one of my cousins posted it on their FB.
Now, I will be spending Christmas again in the Middle East, but I'm used to it. So i'll just buy shawarma to celebrate it, lol =p
