Advent Wreath to revive the true Filipino spirit

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has called on all
Catholic faithful in Pangasinan to hang "parol" (lantern) in front of
their homes this coming yuletide season in place of the Advent Wreath
to revive the true Filipino spirit in celebrating the coming of the
Lord Jesus.

In his recent Circular 2011/35 posted in the website of the
Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, Archbishop Villegas called on the
hanging of what he called "Parol ng Halina" to help "our people
celebrate meaningfully the advent season in truly Catholic and in
truly Filipino."

His circular was addressed to priests, deacons and religious priests
in the archdiocese for their consideration.

Archbishop Villegas clarified that although the Advent Wreath came
from the Protestant traditions of Europe, which was adopted by many in
the Catholic Church in the Philippines, he is offering the "Parol ng
Halina" as an alternative that, he said, may be more relevant and
meaningful for the Filipino Catholic.

The Archbishop said the parol which is usually designed as a star,
reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, is perhaps the most popular
symbol of the Filipino Christmas tradition.

It calls to mind, he said, the search of the wise men in the Gospel of
Matthew 2:2 which states: "Where is he who is born King of the Jews?
For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him."

"The parol can also help us to remember the account of creation in the
Book of Genesis "God made the two great lights: the greater light to
rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the
stars."

The archbishop said "the parol may also help us reflect on the promise
of the Lord to Abraham our father in faith 'I will multiply your seed
as the stars of the sky, and will give to your seed all these lands.
In your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed.'

Villegas said the star, specifically the six pointed star, has been
used to symbolize King David and modern day Jews use this as well.

The archbishop said that in consultation with liturgists who advocate
for Filipino expressions of the Catholic faith, he wants to offer the
"Parol ng Halina" as an alternative to the European advent wreath.