Annualy, every 22nd and 23rd of October, we are celebrating the true birth date of our Lord Jesus Christ as told us by Mahal na Ingkong. The 25th of December which is being celebrated primarily by the Roman Catholics, and other Christian denomination and sects was in fact the day when the son of the pagan Roman god was born, Mithra. Roman Catholic Church, in their effort to convert the pagan Rome, christianized their festivals. They put Christ to be celebrated on the same day, and with the decree of the Emperor, people followed suit. Gradually, the celebration for the pagan god was replaced or substituted by the birth of the Messiah, the true Son of God. The same thing was done to almost all of the pagan festivals in Rome and in its colonies. This was the way how the Roman religion made its way to the hearts of the people. They baptized or christen the pagan festivals and substituted their icons, symbols, and meanings with the Christian meanings and names of Saints, hence came the Patron Saint of almost all events, places, dates, ages, and profession.
THE NAME NOEMI
The name "Noemi" was one of the,if not the only, names of the child Jesus. The book Martir ng Golgotha told us that it was the name that our Blessed Mother used to address her son when he was being searched after being lost for three days; he was found with the doctors and elders in the temple of Jerusalem. Mahal na Ingkong told us that the name Noemi was Jesus name so as to hid his identity from the searching Roman soldiers who were tasked to behead children ages 2 below. Noemi was the name of the child Jesus and he was born on the evening of October 22.
OCTOBER 22-23
There are at least two types of Calendar being used these days, the Lunar and the Solar Calendars. The Lunar Calendar follows and counts the appearances of each new moon to calculate days, month, and years. While the Solar Calenda based its count to the movement of the sun. Hence, Lunar or Luna for the moon, this is where we got the day of LUNES or Moon-day or simply Monday.
It is said that in the ancient time, there were ten months in a year which was modified later on into twelve, inserting the names of Julius and Augustus, both Cesars of Rome. With this insertion October, November and December which were supposed to be the 8th, 9th, and 10th month of the year were also adjusted accordingly.
KASAYSAYAN NG LAHI
The highlight of the festivity was the re-enactment of the birth of Jesus through the melodrama entitled "Kasaysayan ng Lahi" which were being prepared by the National Auxiliary and with participations of other regional auxiliaries. The Kasaysayan ng Lahi narrates the Salvation History from the fall of Lucifer, the creation story, the temptation and driving our of the first couple, Adam and Eve, from Paradise, to the Patriarchs, to Joseph the dreamer, Moses, the Judges, the Kings, the Prophets until the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Everyone is invited to watch this wonderful presentation.
"KARACOL OR ATI-ATIHAN"
Karakol or Ati-atihan is the next highlight of the event as several Auxiliaries, painted with black or charcoal, dressed in tribal attire, dances with the beat of drums, whistles,and cheers while other sealed servants raised and danced their Sto Nino images during the procession. In this event, some of the 'bulilit' or child spirit of the sealed servant also joins the celebration by manifesting themselves in little voices and honest to goodness children's behaviour. This is a must see event for all.
And of course, the event would not be complete without the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and confessions. VIVA SENOR NOEMI, VIVA... GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO ALELLUIA!
