Yesterday was my first time to celebrate Christmas outside the Philippines, and away from my family.
Christmas here in Japan is not a national holiday as I used to back home. Most Japanese I know don't have a religion. They practice sometimes Buddhism/Taoism rituals as they are accustomed of but they usually use Christian (Catholic) rites when marrying.
They did celebrate Christmas though, but only the pageantry of the commercialism the western culture had brought here 150 years ago. Christmas here is just Santa Claus and lights.
On the eve just before the sunset, all of Minato Mirai's buildings (including our office building) raised their blinds. This is the yearly tradition of the complex they call Illumination. At first I taught that is because they want us, inside the buildings, to see the lights surrounding the city, but the main purpose of that is for the audience outside will see bright lights coming from the inside of the building. And because of that, the whole complex is full of visitors flashing their cameras here and there. Suddenly, it feels like home. Feels like the shopping districts of Manila on Christmas eve full of busy last minute Christmas shoppers. But then again, they celebrate Christmas yet not understanding what to celebrate about.
But fortunately, the Catholic faithfuls here celebrate Christmas. Not as festive as it is back in the Philippines but at least they have all the essentials in our spiritual needs.
We attended the bi-lingual (Japanese/English) Christmas Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Maur International School which is presided by no less than Diocese of Yokohama Bishop Raphael Masahiro Umemura and the priests serving the Sacred Heart Cathedral. There, carols are sung prior to the mass, including Filipino Christmas songs. Many Japanese who are not yet baptized Catholics joined the mass. A clear picture that spreading of the Word is in full action here. (It has been a tradition here, I think, that those who are not yet baptized can still attend mass, queue on the communion line but instead of receiving the Holy Sacrament, they bow their heads and the priest/minister bless they by laying of hands
on them)
My batchmates then celebrated the traditional Noche Buena at Fred's apartment few moments after the mass. A simple meal.
My key person and my immediate group leader allowed me to have an A.M. leave on Christmas day so I had a chance to attend the English Christmas mass at the cathedral.
After office, my closest friends in the office (Anna, Alfons, Cess, and Ate Cathie) and I went to World Porters to have our Christmas Dinner at Festa Garden, and eat-all you-can restaurant. Sulit ang pagkain, masakit nga lang sa bulsa.
Overall, this is one experience I will never forget. Not the usual merry making, simple yet full of hope, joy and true friendship. Christmas back home will always be the merriest. But one thing is for sure, here or home, we celebrate Christmas because of a sole reason: The One True Love offered to us by Our One True God.
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