The Gift of Giving During the Time of Advent and Christmas
Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran – Photos courtesy of the author
2025 flew by and it’s already Advent and the Christmas season.
Filipinos simply get into all-things Christmas. As kids in Pā‘ia during the tail-end of the Plantation days, we had Cook Pine Christmas trees decorated with bright balls and tinsel. I think my sister and I would get one new toy and we were happy about it.
My grandfather Lino fashioned a traditional parol with some bamboo he harvested and dried from a hedge in Ha‘ikū and some “Japanese” paper purchased from Pā‘ia Mercantile. He slit bamboo strips and then tied the flexible pieces with twine into two five-pointed stars which he then connected into a frame. He then carefully cut fitted coverings from the crepe-like paper which he then glued over the arms of the frame. After the glue dried, he finished by painting some designs on the edge of the star’s five arms and hanging ribbons from each of the points to complete the lantern.
I don’t think too many people make home-made parol anymore.
Some years ago when we used to hold a Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival, it turns out there are now commercial parol kits. You just decorated the coverings and voilà, without all the fuss, you had a parol. One of the Filipino stores in Central Maui even sells “Filipino stars” with lighting already included.
Over the years, I’ve tried convincing my spouse (a cradle Episcopalian from Texas) that Filipinos begin playing Christmas carols in early Fall because the Christmas season in the motherland covers the -Ber months (September, October, November and December). That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it (but she still doesn’t buy it). In her view, people should follow the holidays in proper seasonal sequence—lights should go up only after the Kahului Hongwanji Bazaar and All Hallows’ Eve. My mother still leaves some Christmas lights up on her house for the entire year.
I like the season but I’ve never been able to get into the rhythm of the best celebrators. I’m a bad Christmas card (or annual family update) sender so I kinda gave up trying. I’ve also been known to wait until the last minute to get gifts for folks on my list—people will just have to settle for bottles of selected adult beverages and t-shirts with quirky sayings printed on them from me.
As I’ve noted in the past, the major festive tradition followed by Maui residents—Christian or not—is our great generosity during the holidays. As we mark the third Christmas following the Lahaina and Upcountry tragedies, it’s good to hear about all the rebuilding that’s been completed. The State announced it started to allow some boating activities in Lahaina Harbor (which still needs to be rebuilt). And the lawsuits apparently are moving towards a settlement of sorts—probably far less than what people lost. Obviously, money and materials alone can’t restore what fires took away from so many in our community. But it’s heartening how Maui residents and local businesses continue to open their hearts for those with needs in our community.
And as Linus from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” reminds us, the meaning of Christmas is the hope that comes from such gifts of love:
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2: 1-14 KJV)
Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran hopped around in various positions in the Cayetano Administration before returning home to practice law. He served for a period of time in the Hawai‘i legislature representing Central Maui communities in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.