Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Mercado: Once upon a time By Ram Mercado First Person
CHURCH bells will toll quite early on Saturday dawn, the start of "simbang bengi" that culminates in the traditional midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
In the past, with their communities not yet energized in their time, churchgoers must have groped their way to church in semi-dark, the streets unlighted and daybreak still many cockcrows beyond. In our youth in old Mexico there were very few places in Pampanga with electric power. Streetlights were very few and far between.
Today, youngsters in our urban communities rarely walk going to the church and feel the exhilarating breeze of early dawn. In our time the caress of moonbeams as we trail young girls our age in discreet distance was sheer heaven youngsters now do not see a full moon while in their vehicles with halogen headlights.
Families from the Catolico cerrado compelled their children to attend the ten-day masses as a tradition of religious fervor rather that as a thanksgiving or penitence. There being no television yet, people went to bed quite early, usually at 8 p.m. Remote villages were in total darkness as mothers darned clothes in the flickering light of a kerosene lamp.
The young boys were put to sleep earlier, bundled in dilapidated sweaters called sambra by the old folks. The night wind howled in the fields, bringing with it a sense of peace to the barrio.
On the way to church, alone or in the chance company of other boys, one would pass the only town bakery, the sweet smell of newly-baked pan de sal stirring hunger. In the church patio the ubiquitous vendors, with their kerosene lamps spewing black smoke, displayed their ware of puto lasun and panara. Nearby the bibingka stoves burned coal in slow ember. The bells would soon ring in the mass with the choir bursting in a liturgical song in Latin.
The priest celebrated Mass, his back facing the faithful and if he spilled the ceremonial wine, as old Padre Canilao did in awkward hands, one did not see it. His sock- less feet in black slip-on shoes sometimes showed when he genuflected, but the church goers were only focused on the infant among the static cows and sheeps in a ramshackle barn by the altar.
We did not know Santa Claus by that time, except as a cutout cardboard figure that dominated the Christmas decorations. Sleigh bells were heard over the radio; reindeers were unseen but only imagined, and we, night carolers, sang "dasing trudas no."
Today's youngsters get confused with the Santa myth, which endowed them a materialistic culture. Our children have grown up expecting Santa to grant even their fantastic wishes. Most often they get them courtesy of indulgent parents.
With this "malling" culture and "Xmas" consumerism brought about by the Santa legend, everyone goes overdrive in last-hour attempt to purchase/produce gifts, new clothes and shoes, jewelry for the rich, cash presents and even tours to make the season truly meaningful.
I supposed parents would teach their children to be good for its own sake, but Santa Claus prefers it otherwise, one must behave well to be rewarded.
Santa Claus is everywhere and is seen in more places that the Image of one for which Christmas was meant. Santa beats Jesus in media exposure, in wider reach-out to young children, and in the manifestation of charity.
Children hang up stockings by the door to receive Santa's presents rather than get God's blessings. The man in red competes with, or becomes the co-equal of the Babe in the manger.
Nowhere in the giant lantern festival in San Fernando, for instance, is Christ included even as a peripheral figure in the fantastic show.
The tremendous display of lights drowns out the Baby Jesus, that's how we remember the celebrant.
What ought to be a season of grace, turns out as raucous partying, wild festivities, and a paganistic ritual to the Yuletide. In the typical abode, the Santa is the dominant symbol, a weird observance of the natal day of the Child who seems not welcome in his own party.
By fleshing out Santa's omnipotence, we teach children that other than God, someone is all-knowing, who can see you while you're asleep, who knows when you're awake as he "knows if you had been bad or good".
It is understandable why the wise demand that we put Christ back in Christmas.
Parents must take the blame for making their children believe that Santa will reward them based on their conduct, when for all eternity, the Almighty rewards and blessed us on what we let Him do for all of us by our love.
The nine-days of simbang gabi focus that message. It is what Christmas must be about-faith, hope and charity.
Advance Merry Christmas greetings to my readers.
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President Arroyo will host a cocktail affair for select local media workers tonight at her Clark guesthouse. By her regular visits to the province, I admire her for being proud to be a Kapampangan. She deserves our people's encouragement, support, and affection.
