In the early days of the Philippines, Christmas Eve was the most special occasion for the Filipinos. There were many traditions that made Christmas very special.
Filipinos usually prepare for christmas in a very religious way. They used to go to church straight for eighteen days before Christmas. They should complete these days by attending everyday. This kind of tradition was called, "simbang gabi." The mass was about the story of the crucifixion based on the rosary. People used to be serious about this. Some used to cry every time they sing the sad songs for jesus, which was part of the fellowship. After the mass, everyone wouldgot to the small stores which was located all over the sidewalks of the church. They were selling different kinds of rice cakes and the famous "puto bumbong." It was made up of sticky rice with a coconut dip. These kinds of food were not really served in the usual days, only in the holiday season. That is why Filipinos always look forward to Christmas because in that simple way, they could feel the spirit of the holiday season.
As years went by, this tradition had faded away. People got tired of going to church in the morning. The eighteen days before Christmas has been forgotten. Some people went to church just to sleep and some teenagers went to church but never listened to the sermon. They just stayed outside and hang around with their friends and never really tried to feel the spirit and importance of being in church.
It was not the tradition that faded away,it was the people who used to respect and enjoy this tradition. some thought that nowadays, "sombang gabi" was not important anymore. There were many crimes and evil things that was happening in the world. That is why Filipinos forgot everything about living in a godly way. They thought that it was okay not to be involved in this kind of tradition because people changed. Modern world and modern lifestyle had taken place over these people's minds.
Back then, Christmas was then best day of the year. ... A week before the big day I would never be able to concentrate in school. ... I remember playing with my toys and games for days on end. ... That was my Christmas as a six year old kid. ... Through out my eighteen years, I started to realize who Jesus Christ is, what he did, and why Christians celebrate his birth. ...
Just before I was about to go into the second grade, my mother decided she would remarry, a sixty year old man she had known since she was eighteen. ... During the start of my senior year, my Nana had a stroke in October; it was one of the hardest days in my life again. ... A few days before Christmas, my Nana went home to be with Jesus. ...
Sometimes the men would have to pack enough food to last them several days when marching. ... On Christmas day Wells wrote, "Our coffee is rye and in small quantities at that. The boys have gone out to see if they can find a hog or beef for Christmas dinner," (The Diary of Seth James Wells). ... On some days Seth James Wells is provided with little or no food at all. ... On one January night Wells wrote, "About midnight it began to sleet and rain, and before the morning our blankets were completely soaked. ...
Charles and Catherine had 10 children before they split up in 1858. ... She was born in 1819 and she inherited the throne of Great Britain at the age of eighteen when her uncle William IV died in 1837. ... Children 11-18 were allowed 12 hour days. Children 9-11 were allowed 8 hour days. ... For example, in 1843 Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. ...
I put it on my Christmas list and my father had no trouble finding it for me. ... While planning the wedding, Lily decided to act on a long‑held fantasy of stripping her way across America ‑‑ before she got married. ... Eventually, she discusses her days in San Francisco, her disillusionment with the industry, and leaving it angry. ... So she decides to quit on her own terms before forces beyond her control decide the matter for her. ... Indeed, she wonders, "Had I known at eighteen that I'd still be struggling to sort out stripping more than a decade later, would I ...
At the age of eighteen Dickens fell passionately in love with Maria Beadnell, a pretty and careless girl. ... He published A Christmas Carol in December 1843, the first of five widely popular Christmas books. ... Carton was deeply in love with Lucie and is always telling her that he loves her so much that he would do anything for her but Lucie ends up marring Darnay, a few days after their marriage when they were on their honeymoon, Dr. Manette has a fall back and cobbles shoes for nine straight days. ...
He was grateful for a chance to sleep after a hard day of fighting the attack on Chancellorsville the day before. ... The Federals, or Union, with their leader as General Winthrop, were told to meet the rest of their company, with General Farnum in charge, at Little Bethel before sunrise. ... They ended up with fifty-three wounded, five missing, and eighteen dead, with the South having only ten wounded and one dead, Private Henry L. ... Sherman wired President Lincoln, "I beg to present you the city of Savannah as a Christmas gift." ... Grant on April 9, eight days after Sherman'...
before sinking into a troubled unconsciousness." ... At Christmas time he put notes in all his cards asking people to go with him but, of course, he gets no replies. ... Later, Bill remembered that when Katz returned home from Europe he had gotten heavily involved with drugs and alcohol and even went to prison for eighteen months. ... He extended its planned length to well over 2000 miles, and before it was finished he had walked every inch of it. ... It would be four days before they walked across a public road and eight days before they came to a town. ...
A few days before Christmas 1924, Hitler was released from prison after nine months. ... On Election Day September 14, 1930, the Nazis received over eighteen percent of the total, and were thus entitled to 107 seats in the German Reichstag. ...
