December 24, 2009

The eve of Jesus' birth

Tonight, thousands of Filipinos will gather in churches for the Christmas Eve Mass, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. When I was a child, I remember that it was truly a midnight Mass; nowadays, most churches celebrate it at 10:00pm. The cribs in nativity scenes in churches have remained empty throughout the Advent season, and it will be during tonight's Mass that the image of the baby Jesus will be installed. The custom used to be widespread in homes too, but no longer, as it means having to create a little ceremony for it. This almost life-size nativity scene, or part of it rather, is in Harbour Square beside Manila Bay.

Harbour Square nativity scene
In case we all get too busy tomorrow, I would like to greet you all now a blessed Christmas!

29 comments:

  1. Philip G.December 24, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    maligayang pasko ms. hilda

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  2. J.C.December 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    Dear Hilda,

    Merry Christmas to you and family. May you be blessed with abundance in the coming new year.

    The nativity scene featured on your blog today is beautiful.

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  3. b.c.December 24, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    beautiful Nativity scene :)

    Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family in 2010!

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  4. ALL ABOUT...Portland Oregon Real EstateDecember 24, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    Beautiful! Merry Christmas Hilda.

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  5. GeorgeDecember 24, 2009 at 12:31 PM

    This is a beautiful nativity scene. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

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  6. EbieDecember 24, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    OMG, the Nativity scene is beautiful! Your shots make it look like life size!

    May you and your family enjoy the holiday season.

    Merry Christmas!

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  7. EkiDecember 24, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and your family too, Hilda! And have a great holiday.

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  8. Elaine YimDecember 24, 2009 at 2:07 PM

    This scene truly depicts what Christmas is all about. Hilda, Merry Christmas!

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  9. JTG (Misalyn)December 24, 2009 at 3:23 PM

    Happy holidays Ms. Hilda.

    A blessed day to you and to your family.

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  10. OlivierDecember 24, 2009 at 3:42 PM

    magnifique scène de noël. Je te souhaite un Merry Christmas.

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  11. UnknownDecember 24, 2009 at 4:32 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and family!

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  12. hadvDecember 24, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Pasko! Pasko!! PASKOOO!!!!

    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR GIVING COMMENTS!! THANK YOU!! :D

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  13. VPDecember 24, 2009 at 5:25 PM

    Beautiful nativity scene, the tradition is the same here for who still care to observe it.
    Have a nice Christmas Eve and a Merry Christmas!

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  14. brattcatDecember 24, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    And to you, too, Hilda, a joyous Christmas and a wonderful new year!

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  15. cieldequimperDecember 24, 2009 at 9:06 PM

    That's a splendid crèche. Happy Christmas to you and yours Hilda!

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  16. Cezar and LéiaDecember 24, 2009 at 9:14 PM

    Wonderful picture dear Hilda!
    Merry Christmas!
    Léia , Cezar and & little Luna :)

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  17. HalcyonDecember 24, 2009 at 10:04 PM

    That's a beautiful creche.

    Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas to you and your family!!

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  18. LoisDecember 24, 2009 at 10:22 PM

    At my church (Episcopal) we start our Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist at 11:00 pm so that it is timed to end right at midnight, while we are singing Silent Night while holding lit candles as all of the lights in the sanctuary are turned off. It is quite moving. Christmas Day is also my son's birthday and ever since he was little he waits for me to lean over at midnight and wish him a happy birthday. It always makes me a little teary-eyed. Merry Chirstmas Hilda and thank you so much for all of your kind comments on my blog this year. I have really enjoyed yours!

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  19. nobuDecember 24, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    Beautiful.
    Have a nice holiday!

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  20. Leif HagenDecember 24, 2009 at 10:26 PM

    What a wonderful Christmas creche and a special tradition as we celebrate the true reason for the season! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours! I have really enjoyed your blog this year!

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  21. JillyDecember 24, 2009 at 10:31 PM

    This is wonderfully luxurious, Hilda. Beautiful. Wishing a very Merry Christmas, Hilda, to you and yours.

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  22. bertNDecember 24, 2009 at 10:45 PM

    Merry Christmas! Keep on posting.

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  23. UnknownDecember 25, 2009 at 12:17 AM

    Merry Christmas, Hilda!

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  24. KaoriDecember 25, 2009 at 12:47 AM

    Gorgeous nativity scene! Wish you a merry and joyous christmas too!

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  25. TussyDecember 25, 2009 at 1:29 AM

    Beautiful as always.

    Have a great Christmas!

    You Got a Posty
    My Bangkok Through My Eyes!

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  26. JamesDecember 25, 2009 at 2:06 AM

    Your photo is beautiful. Happy Birthday to Jesus and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  27. Albert Lázaro-TinautDecember 25, 2009 at 2:51 AM

    Very interesting your blog! And very nice photos.
    Regards from Barcelona: Merry Christmas and a happy 2010!!!

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  28. FrankDecember 25, 2009 at 5:38 AM

    How gorgeous and magnificent on this Christmas Eve.

    Thank you Hilda for the many gifts and treasures you have given me all year: you city and country and especially your brilliant way of capturing and sharing it all in photos and words. I am most grateful.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS.

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  29. AnonymousDecember 25, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    It is this probably one of the first moments when love became visable.

    May you all have a wonderful Christmas time.

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