When I was in the elementary grade, together with my other brothers and sisters we were busy making Christmas tree. Although we don't have Christmas lights during those days but a small candle and devised decorations made of paper wax with some simple design of paper balls enough to complete the spirit of Christmas. We were celebrating this special occasion every year feeling happy and satisfied.

Then, father started making Christmas lantern made of bamboo with paper wax as cover and small candle inside to illuminate it during the night hanged in one of the windows of our house. Mostly this activity started last two weeks of November to give us time to prepare and think something more appropriate for the coming Christmas Day.

In the morning of Christmas Day, my father slaughtered pig in preparation for the night as our relatives started coming to join us in the evening. My mother are preparing suman, bibingka and other recipes to complete the meal for the night.

In the early evening, we all group together in our small sala singing Christmas song with a guitar in hand while our parents and relatives were talking anything while waiting for the Christmas Eve.

Then the most memorable night came. You can hear in a distance a sound of merry making. While our neighbors done so much activity for their own celebration, we started eating. We enjoyed so much especially when we were using firecrackers to complete the evening.

But what this celebration bring to us? What's the purpose of having this special day done repeatedly every year? One of the reason is that it is the time of reconciliation among friends, relatives, neighbors and other persons in conflict with for so many years of infighting. The other reason is that it is our customs and tradition we inherited from our ancestors which we continued celebrating until today. Other countries who celebrated Christmas Day, are doing the same with so much extravagance using fireworks display. There were even a contest for most beautiful lantern created with beautiful design that attracted spectators when it displayed.

This memorable moment can never erased in our memory. This will continue every year with so much merrymaking and spending because it is already part of our lives.

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