Happy Birthday, Jesus!

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

“Merry Christmas!”

We would all exclaim as the clock struck twelve midnight on Christmas Eve. Just then, our uncle would play “Merry Christmas Polka” on the LP player. We would all dance and sing around, “Come on and dance the Merry Christmas Polka...” for some good ten minutes until we’ve danced around with everyone. Laughter, singing, and so much love filled the air.

After the final replay of the song was done, all of us - my grandparents, together with my dad’s eight brothers and sisters, and their families - would gather by the altar and sing...

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you

On the altar was a well-dressed image of the Child Jesus (Santo Nino)...

Happy birthday, happy birthday

All the kids would be at the foot of the altar with a birthday cake and a single lit candle...

Happy birthday to you

We would all then blow the candle and shout,

“Happy Birthday, Jesus!”


This was how we’d always welcomed Christmas at my father’s parents’ house in Santa Cruz, Manila. All the dancing, singing, and merriment would then be followed by a delightful Noche Buena feast, lovingly prepared by our grandmother. The kids always wanted to finish right away, so we could get on with the opening of presents and Christmas games.

I am so thankful for how we were raised: knowing that the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the Messiah. We sure did have Christmas celebrations when we received just a few gifts, or when we only had two dishes, instead of an entire feast, for Noche Buena. But every single year, we did the Merry Christmas Polka and the birthday cake for Jesus. So early on, I’d always known that the best things in life are free. The number of gifts may change, the types of dishes too... but the joy of being with your family and celebrating the birth of Jesus - that was the best feeling, and it never cost a single cent!

When I had my own family with Edison, we talked about how much from each of our own Christmas family traditions we got to integrate into our very own family. I told him that if there was one thing that mattered the most to me, it was the Happy Birthday song for Jesus. So ever since Edward’s first Christmas in 2002, we’ve carried on this wonderful family tradition.

In his book Family First, Dr. Phil McGraw says that one of the five factors in creating a phenomenal family is establishing meaningful rituals and traditions. I believe that this is important in order to raise happy, joyful children. I, for one, wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything; I have thousands of unparalleled memories woven into the meaningful Christmas and summer traditions that we had growing up.

God knows, I only want the best childhood memories for Edward and Alison. Just recently, I’ve been developing a strategy on how to top last year’s pretty great Christmas celebration that we had as a family. However, with Edward in Kindergarten and Edison back in business school, we won’t be able to spend the same amount of money that we did last year to buy gifts. I began to worry about what kind of memory this Christmas would impress upon our children.

One morning, after I woke the kids up to get ready for school, Edward told me, “Our hearts have to be ready for Christmas, Mommy, so that Jesus can be born in our hearts…” I was stunned. Tears began to well up in my eyes. How could I forget?

The number of gifts may change, the types of dishes too... but the joy of being with your family and celebrating the birth of Jesus - that was the best feeling, and it never cost a single cent!

“Sapat nang si Hesus ang kasama mo - Tuluy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko!” (Apo Hiking Society)

From our family to yours, we wish you all a blessed Christmas!

Happy Birthday, dear Jesus! May I never forget the most important tradition/legacy that I can leave my children: to celebrate Your birth and Your presence in our lives!