Day 193 - Countdown to Christmas

After we consumed an enormous breakfast at Auntie T's, LV picked us up to take us to her home for the family Christmas celebration. Along the way, we picked up R, J, and their respective families. By the time we arrived at Del Monte, there was a lechon, about four bags of other foods, nearly ten kids, and half as many adults crammed in the van. The kids were piled two deep on some laps. All of them were grandchildren of Auntie N, and we suspect a little sibling rivalry in the carpooling scheme.

Almost the first order of business once we arrived at LV's was an equally enormous Christmas lunch - lechon, dinuguan, fruits, sweet potato tops, bread, spaghetti...Afterwards, none of us were very much good for anything more strenuous than playing video games, napping, or reading. Soon though, a horse and two ponies arrived, and all the kids - plus Cz and me - piled out to go riding. The horse was a little feisty, and frightened the children, so I had her almost entirely to myself. Even Cz was cajoled into riding one of the ponies, once he was assured that this particular pony would not run, even if every other horse was taking off around her. Sure enough, as the tiny black pony (the kids' favourite) and my horse cantered back to the house, Cz's trusty mount walked along, calmly nibbling grass whenever it grew tall enough towards her mouth.

Hot and sweaty, we returned to the house and claimed the bathroom for showers. Mass wouldn't be for another 2 hours, but with all the people in the house, we figured that we should claim it when we could.

Christmas Eve mass was held at 6PM in an open-sided church building. It was full to capacity and beyond. Bats and geckos had their own Christmas feast on all the bugs drawn to the light spilling out in all directions from the church. I never thought I would spend a Christmas where mosquitoes would be a consideration! Most Christmas Eve services that I have been to are joyful , but in a restrained 'proper' sort of way. This one was joyful in the way some Southern Baptist churches are joyful. The church teemed with small children, and a troupe of them read the response prayer in relay. After nearly every carol, bells and noisemakers of all sorts would be rung. A Christmas tree and a manger flanked the altar. The Christmas tree was decked out with all sorts of ornaments, even some clumps of detergent 'snow'. The manger held all the traditional figures, but was further endowed with multiple strings of red and green lights, some blinking. The young acolytes, a whole team of them, swung incense and carried candles up and down the aisle and around the altar. I'm not sure what that was all about, but it felt special.

Most years, there would be multiple Christmas Eve services, but this year there was only going to be one. Because all the different groups who would usually be going to their own masses were coming to this one, the congregation spoke many dialects. Rather than choose one dialect over the other, the priest spoke the mass in English. His English was halting, but he managed the whole service. Like any good minister, the homily was place specific, recounting a story of a family moving house by bus (everyone travels by bus around here) who were so concerned over their household goods that they forgot their child.

When the service ended, we all piled back into the van to head back to LV's for Christmas dinner. Which was yet another feast. Afterwards, the children played games, watched movies, and bounced around waiting for midnight. Because, midnight is officially Christmas. And 'Officially Christmas' means time to open presents. Only a few kids and most of the adults (me included) conked out. As the clock ticked down, the noise and excitement built so that soon the whole house was awake. On the stroke of midnight, G, LV's husband set off round after round of fireworks to much cheering and "Merry Christmas"-ing of the adults, and much "NOW can I open my presents?" of the kids. All around the neighborhood, we could see and hear similar flashes, booms, and cheers. It really felt like a celebration.

Back in the house, a midnight 'snack' awaited us. We ate to the tune of new toys being tested, and with frequent interruptions to be shot with light-up guns, watch neon helicopters fly, and cheer on our video game experts. Finally, the gunslingers and gamers started to tire out, and one by one, we all managed to get to bed. With so many people in the house, bodies came to rest nearly everywhere - every couch, every bed, even most of the floor space was occupied.

Even with the crowd and all the ages present - three to seventy-seven - there was not one tantrum or major fight. Just a whole lot of family that seemed happy to be celebrating together.