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
IT'S 15 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Did you know the Origins And The Real Purpose Of The Parol?
Used to decorate homes and buildings, the parol is easily one of the most iconic symbols of the Filipino-style Christmas season. It’s also surprising to know that early Filipinos based the parol on the Mexican piñata.
The piñata itself originated from Italy, found its way to Spain, and then reached Mexico before finally coming to the Philippines. Additionally, during Spanish times, the parol was more than just a decoration; they were originally intended as lamps which lit the way for churchgoers attending early morning Masses.
Source: https://filipiknow.net/facts-about-christmas-in-the-philippines/
Warm greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 16 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Did you know that Simbang Gabi Was Once Banned In The Philippines?
It’s hard to imagine Filipinos celebrating Christmas without the time-honored tradition of the Simbang Gabi (also known as the Misa de Aguinaldo). However, colonial Filipinos did miss nine years of Simbang Gabi services from 1680 to 1689 due to a Vatican decree which was implemented by Manila Archbishop Felipe Pardo.
The reason for the issuance of the decree—which was also implemented in Spain, the Azores, and Mexico—stemmed from the churchgoers and choirs’ habit of singing Christmas songs in their native tongue. At the time, singing in the vernacular was only allowed during the entrance and recessional songs. The decree deemed this practice as perverse and ordered the suppression of the services.
After Pardo’s death, however, the clergymen—with the notable exception of the Discalced Franciscans—resumed the practice.
Source: https://filipiknow.net/facts-about-christmas-in-the-philippines/
Warm greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 21 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!
Did you know that Christmas wasn't always on December 25?
While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the actual date of the big event is lost to history. There's no mention of December 25 in the Bible and many historians say Jesus was most likely born in the spring. Some historians posit the date was originally chosen because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god Saturn with celebrating and gift-giving.
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2972/surprising-christmas-facts/
Warm greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 21 DAYS BEFORE CHIRSTMAS!
Did you know that Christmas wasn't always on December 25?
While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the actual date of the big event is lost to history. There's no mention of December 25 in the Bible and many historians say Jesus was most likely born in the spring. Some historians posit the date was originally chosen because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god Saturn with celebrating and gift-giving.
Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2972/surprising-christmas-facts/
Warm greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 23 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
Here are some interesting facts about the Filipino Christmas 😊
Simbang umaga
It is said that complete attendance of the Simbang Gabi (masses at dawn) would mean that whatever you prayed for would come true. But beyond this haka-haka (theory), strict Catholics would make it a point to attend the series of masses that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as the Misa de Gallo.
The tradition of the early mass came from the Spanish colonial period as a practical compromise for Filipino farmers who would work before sunrise to avoid working under the heat of the sun. Simbang Gabi starts from the Dec. 16 to Christmas Eve.
From 1680 to 1689, colonial Filipinos missed nine years of Simbang Gabi services because of a Vatican decree implemented by Manila Archbishop Felipe Pardo. The decree was also implemented in Spain, Azores, and Mexico, and was issued due to the churchgoers and choirs’ habit of singing Christmas songs in their native tongue. At the time, singing in the vernacular was only allowed for the entrance and recessional songs.
Source: https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/25/post-mortem-fascinating-facts-about-the-filipino-christmas
Warm season greetings from:
Dover's Boarding House
IT'S 24 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
DID YOU KNOW?
Filipino Christmas traditions are a big part of the culture, partly due to 90% of the country being Christian (with 80% of those being Catholic). In total, 4 months of the festive season are celebrated, from September to the end of December. The Christmas season in the Philippines is the longest-running, globally. Gifts are given, food is lovingly cooked and eaten, and families get together to share in their love for each other. Many traditions are thrown into the mix, ranging from traditional western ones like decorated trees, to faith-oriented ones like Midnight Mass.
Source: https://www.worldremit.com/en/blog/community/christmas-in-the-philippines
Warm season greeting from:
Dover's Boarding House 🥰
