Filipinos Celebrating Christmas and Wishing for Peace and Goodwill Around the World

by Edwin Quinabo

As the world falls under the specter of two ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe, the illumination of the Filipino parol (Christmas ornamental lantern) is a needed symbol to restore hope over despair, light over darkness, and peace over conflict.

The phrase “peace on earth and goodwill to men” commonly wished upon during Christmas comes from the Bible Luke 2:14, where the angels announce the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds in the fields. The angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

To Christians this is an important declaration that Jesus’ birth signaled a time for peace and goodwill – associating peace with Christmas.

In the poem “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which was written during the American Civil War, the poem begins with the line “I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, goodwill to men!”

The beloved Christmas song “Silent Night” is a hymn of peace, a testimony of the Savior who brings peace and joy into the world. The song’s imagery of silence and stillness reflects quiet peace.

It’s understandable that the phrase peace and goodwill to some is welcomed with cynicism because of mankind’s history fraught with violence and wars. Its usage in Christmas greetings has lost its shine for many.

To date, the war in the Gaza and Israel has resulted in more than 17,000 deaths in over a month. According to the New York Times, the total number of Ukrainian and Russian troops killed or wounded since the war in Ukraine began in 2022 is nearing 500,000.

For millions of Catholic Filipinos, they are drawing inspiration for peace this season in the Christ story.

James Pagdilao, Hilo, quotes John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that we may not perish but have everlasting life.”

Pagdilao said, “this is the basis of the gospel and Christmas marks the birth of the only son of God to fill this promise. My daily life is in Christ, so not only does this apply to my daily life, but it is also my life and the reason I choose to serve in ministry to spread this message to others.”

On peace on Earth, he said “world peace will always be important to me. And during a time of joy and cheer I am sure that a peaceful resolution to these conflicts would make the holidays even more meaningful.”

Judy Ilar, Waipahu, said, “in my opinion, the world will have its peace only when every single human being decides to follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Only then will evil be eradicated.”

Marilyn Cadiz, Ewa, said “Wars will probably always be a part of human existence, but they still do not diminish our hope for peace and for it to be a value we hold deeply. It is true that the world historically has had plenty of wars, but I don’t believe that the nature of humans is one rooted in conflict and war. Historically, we’ve had more time of peace and cooperation than of war. But the lingering danger in modern warfare with nuclear weapons is it takes only one all-out nuclear war to end it all for mankind.

“This is why I believe it’s still very relevant and important to promote the hope for peace, even if it is mostly heard during Christmas time,” said Cadiz. “If you look at the history of protests, the largest ones that people are passionate about to protest in the streets, are those calling for peace. You can look at what’s going on in the world today; we see massive crowds on all continents calling for peace. The truth is wars are the exception to humanity, not the rule which really is a state of peace,” said Cadiz.

Start with peace in our personal lives
While finding solutions to global conflicts is political and often complicated, in the spirit of peace and forgiveness during the holiday season, at the very least some Filipinos said we can look at our own lives to see where we can bring harmony and peace in our relationships.

Pagdilao said, “there is somebody I’ve known my whole life who did nothing but support me during my times of need both professionally and personally, and I hurt her significantly with my actions in this past year. This remains one of if not my biggest regrets. “It would mean the world to me to get started on the pathway to mending our relationship and obtaining forgiveness. I know this will take time and patience, and she was my partner in crime for the holidays at parties and throughout the year, so my hope is that someday we can get back to how we used to be, and she never forgets how much I love her,” said Pagdilao.

Ilar said, “It’s difficult to mend a relationship when the other party is not willing to take the time to heal a relationship. At that point, I just decide to forgive a person in my heart and wish them well and not allow any ill feelings to take root or harbor in my heart towards them. I strive to live a peaceful life and the way I do that is to live a quiet life, mind my own business and work hard and be grateful to God what has given me.”

Cadiz said she hasn’t spoken with a close family member in two years due to a fallout over another member of the family. “We no longer live in the same city which makes it easier not to mend our rift because we no longer must see each other at family functions. But during Christmas and other significant days, I do think about this person.

“I’ve never stopped loving this person and do not harbor any ill feelings. But I think it’s a waiting situation as to who will waive the proverbial olive branch. In my heart of hearts, because I have no anger or hatred, and I have love for this person, I’m okay with the way it is. Maybe one Christmas when we are in the same city, we will embrace each other and make our peace officially.”

Noche Buena, Misa de Gallo, Aguinaldo
Cadiz mentions the Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) is when the entire family would gather. “Growing up our family would celebrate Noche Buena after attending the Misa de Gallo (midnight Mass). But when we grew up and had families of our own, that tradition became too late for the young kids, so we’d still have the Noche Buena on Christmas Eve but attend Christmas Day Mass on our own with our own families.”

Popular Noche Buena menu items are lechon (roasted suckling pig), ham, Filipino spaghetti, embutido (steamed meatloaf), leche flan (Filipino version of crème caramel), arroz a la valenciana (paella that includes include chorizo, chicken, prawns, squid, and mussels), bibinka/puto bumbong (rice cakes). Added to any of these, for Filipino families in Hawaii, the Noche Buena potluck usually would include some local favorites like platter sushi, assorted poki, and lumpia. Often turkey would be the main entrée in place of lechon, which is reserved for New Year’s Eve.

Cadiz adds of Noche Buena, “It was fun, though, growing up and staying up super late and into the morning. After Misa de Gallo and Noche Buena, we’d open our Aguinaldos (money in envelopes), and Christmas presents.

Today she said the children only want Aguinaldo instead of surprise presents. It is not as exciting because the children want money in envelopes so they can buy whatever they want. Or they prefer to have a gift card. The element of surprise is lost in the young generation with presents. They ask for what they want for Christmas.”

Pagdilao said, “Our family practices the Filipino Christmas tradition of having turkey or ham as an afterthought. Instead, we have all of the delicious Filipino foods that make life worth living, with the addition of several ‘bussin’ desserts from my other cousins. Our Christmas consists of finding out the last minute where it will be held, then trying to arrange carpooling, arguing about who can and cannot drive at night, and ends up with everybody happy, full bellies, and singing Christmas songs.”

Ilar said, “We keep it simple. No more gifts. We just enjoy each other’s presence, share a meal as a family and enjoy reminiscing and laughing.”

Simbang Gabi
One aspect of Christmas in the Philippines and to Filipino families around the globe is that it remains anchored in religion and spirituality versus the commercialism dominant in other cultures.

The Christ story of love and sacrifice – that God gave his son for mankind’s salvation — is what inspires Filipino Catholics to practice the Simbang Gabi each Christmas season. Starting on December 16 and ending on December 24, Filipinos attend daily Mass in preparation for the birth of Christ on Christmas day.  

Today the Simbang Gabi (night mass) in the Philippines is held in the late night or early morning like 3 a.m. But originally, the Mass would start at the crack of dawn as early as 4 a.m. to accommodate farmers who typically headed to the fields before sunrise to get as much done before the blistering heat kicked in.

For Filipinos who attend each of the 9-consecutive days of Simbang Gabi, they believe God grants them one wish. Cadiz said she heard how Simbang Gabi is vibrant in Philippine cities. Many businesses are open all evening and into the morning during Simbang Gabi because church goers want to eat street food and have coffee before or after Mass.

Even though it’s dark and normally a time that everyone would be asleep, the cities during Simbang Gabi dazzle with white, green and red lights strung around trees and trim the edges of buildings and churches.

Time of Joy
There’s no place like the Philippines for Christmas, many Filipinos say. For one thing, it is celebrated the longest in the world, beginning in September and through January of the next year with the celebration of the three kings who visited the Christ child in Bethlehem.

Cadiz said, “my explanation why in the Philippines Christmas is so fully embraced and taken to the next level is Filipinos are very happy people. It’s a society that thrives on having good times and gatherings as a top priority.”

Pagdilao said, “Christmas is not only the celebration of the birth of Jesus, but also the one time of year where there is near universal happiness and joy despite the increased stress in our professional and personal lives. It is the most important season to spend time with your loved ones and spread the joy to everybody else, so it means a lot.”

Christmas message
Pagdilao’s Christmas message he wants to share is, “Tell your loved ones how much you love them. If you can’t spend the holidays with your family this year, please call them to tell them how much you love them. To everybody who is going through the holiday Blues, Jesus loves you, and I love you. You aren’t alone and you are loved infinitely by our Savior. 

Ilar’s message, “Jesus is truly the real reason for this Christmas holiday. I pray that everyone will draw closer to Jesus and to know him better in the coming New Year. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. Our relationship with Jesus is the only relationship that will count in eternity.”

Cadiz said, “I am praying for world peace and that children be safe. It’s never naive to hope for world peace. Christmas is a time of miracles, and we can dream. After all, Jesus –  the reason why we celebrate Christmas — came into the world to give us a message of hope and salvation.