Reading for a Jewish/Filipino Christmas

Our Christmas tree ornaments, which include little dreidels.

Ours is a mixed household: the Ginger Ninja is Jewish, and I’m a Filipino Catholic. Although she’s from a tradition that doesn’t celebrate Christmas at all and I’m from what could arguably be called the culture that celebrates Christmas the most (a good chunk of the Philippines takes three weeks off — the two weeks prior to and the week after Christmas — for all the festivities and family activities), we work it out.

In the spirit of the season, three articles about Christmas from each culture. First the Jewish stuff:

• A Jewish look at Christmas: A convert appreciates it even more now — “Christmas causes problems for lots of people. Some come from troubled families; some are non-Christians. When I joined Jacob’s tribe nearly 20 years ago (translation: converted to Judaism), my relationship to Christmas changed. Unexpectedly, it got stronger.”
• Irving the Snowchicken is Coming to Town: One family’s solution to the Jewish/Christmas dilemma. Be sure to read the comments, which get a little lively.
• What Do Jews Do on Christmas? JewFAQ’s answer, which includes the greatest military/culinary mind ever, General Tso.
• Five Christmas Songs Written by Jewish Songwriters…including one written by “Mr Schorofsky” from Fame!

…and now, the Filipino stuff:

• Philippines: Longest Christmas Season in the World. A Global Voices Online entry compiling a number of Filipino bloggers’ entries on Christmas.
• Christmas in the Philippines, as described in Wikipedia.
• How to Make Your Own Parol. A parol is the traditional Filipino Christmas lantern shaped like the Star of Bethlehem.