IT'S 6 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Did you know that Jingle Bells was the first Christmas song in space?
It's a favourite song for many people, but did you know that Jingle Bells has a special accolade? In 1965, it became the first song to be played in space. That's right, not just the first Christmas song...but the first song ever! During the Gemini 6A space flight, it was broadcast as a prank from the astronauts to those down below.
Alongside this, did you know that Jingle Bells was originally a song written for the American holiday of Thanksgiving and not Christmas? Its original title was 'The One Horse Open Sleigh'.
Source: https://www.happybeds.co.uk/blog/10-unknown-christmas-facts
Warm season greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 7 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Our Favorite After-Misa De Gallo Treats
As a rice-eating country, kakanin or rice cakes come a dime a dozen in the Philippines, but only a chosen few–two, in fact–have the recognition of being Christmas icons.
Puto bumbong is memorable for its striking violet hue, thanks to a purple variety of heirloom rice called pirurutong. Though this glutinous rice (malagkit) features in traditional puto bumbong recipes, modern iterations have featured other types. The rice is soaked overnight, then steamed inside bamboo tubes locally called “bumbong ng kawayan.” Filipino kitchens typically serve it with grated coconut and brown sugar.
Bibingka differs from other rice cakes because its texture is spongier. It feels more like a regular cake compared to the sticky, gelatinous quality of its kakanin cohorts. Malagkit rice is ground into a batter called galapong before it is baked in banana leaves over coals. It is usually topped with grated coconut and salted egg, but modern versions have showcased more creative permutations, like chocolate, ube, and pandan.
Traditionally, puto bumbong and bibingka are sold outside the church premises after Simbang Gabi, a set of early-morning masses celebrated in the nine days leading up to Christmas. Simbang Gabi, or Misa de Gallo, has been a Filipino custom since Spanish colonial times.
According to a feature on NoliSoli, Simbang Gabi days meant waking up early and working longer hours. Filipino farmers would load up on kakanin after mass and before the day’s labor. There is no written record on how bibingka and puto bumbong came to be most associated with the Christmas season. However, in the article, culinary maven Glenda Barretto noted that the farmers needed to consume something quick and convenient. Originally, these rice cakes were enjoyed with salabat (ginger tea). However, it became the fashion to eat them with hot chocolate when the Spaniards developed a chocolate culture in the 16th century
IT'S 8 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Did you know How Did Simbang Gabi Begin?
Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Christmas tradition. It is a series of nine dawn masses on the days leading up to Christmas. It begins on December 16 and ends at midnight on the 24th of December, when a midnight mass is held.
This tradition was introduced by the Spanish friars to allow the farmers to hear mass before going to the fields early in the morning. The masses can start as early as 4 in the morning. Simbang Gabi is also known by its popular Spanish name, Misa de Gallo, or "Mass of the Rooster.''
In the olden days, the church bells started ringing as early as three o' clock, waking people up so they could get ready for the four o'clock dawn mass. The Roman Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.
Source: https://holidappy.com/holidays/Filipino-Christmas-Tradition-Simbang-Gabi
Warm season greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 11 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Did you know that Rudolph was a marketing gimmick?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared in 1939 when the Montgomery Ward department store asked one of its copywriters to create a Christmas story for kids that the store could distribute as a promotion. In the first year alone 2.4 million copies were distributed and late in 1949 Gene Autry recorded the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". The adorable movie featuring the island of misfit toys and Herbie the elf hit the airwaves (and our hearts) in 1964.
Also, Rudolph was almost named Rollo or Reginald and his crew also had lots of other names. They've previously been called Flossie, Glossie, Racer, Pacer, Scratcher, Feckless, Ready, Steady and Fireball.
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2972/surprising-christmas-facts/
Warm season greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 12 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Did you know that there is a hidden meaning behind the "12 Days of Christmas" song?
There's a theory floating around claiming that during a time when Christians were punished for worshiping openly, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song was used to secretly pass on the ideology of Christianity. Per this theory, each gift on the list symbolizes a different aspect of the Christian faith:
The Partridge in the Pear Tree is Jesus Christ.
The 2 Turtle Doves are The Old and New Testaments.
The 3 French hens are Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues.
The 4 Calling Birds are the four gospels and/or the four evangelists.
The 5 Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament.
The 6 Geese A-laying are the six days of creation.
The 7 Swans A-swimming are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.
The 8 Maids A-milking are the eight beatitudes.
The 9 Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The 10 Lords A-leaping are the ten commandments.
The 11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles.
The 12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/a29212592/12-days-of-christmas-meaning-facts/
Warm season greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
