By Kiera De Guzman

Picture this: a cool December evening, Bellarmine Field aglow with shimmering lights, the air filled with soft laughter as students and faculty wander through campus, and each night the echo of voices rises in unison for Simbang Gabi at the Church of Gesù — a chorus of shared hope and quiet wonder painting the season with warmth and unity.

For many universities, Christmas might be a holiday break. But at Ateneo, Christmas becomes something more profound than just a season of festivity. It becomes a feeling, a rhythm, a heartbeat shared by every student, teacher, custodian, and alumnae/alumnus who walks through the gates during Christmas. 

When December rolls around, the Ateneo de Manila University campus transforms into something magical — not just with lights, decorations, and parols, but with a spirit uniquely blue and white. 

The Real Meaning of Christmas

For many Ateneans, the holiday season truly begins not with decorations or parties, but in the quiet glow of candlelight and the harmonized voices at the Church of the Gesù. Simbang Gabi, a cherished Filipino Catholic tradition, made heartfelt on campus people together for daily Masses in the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

What starts as a devotional practice blossoms into communal nights of prayer, reflection, and shared purpose — a spiritual thread that weaves the entire Ateneo community into the heart of the season. 

“As a member of the SHS Ateneo Liturgical Ministry, I have served and continue to serve at the altar for the Simbang Gabi masses in the Gesu,” said Jaden Junio from 11-Grande, “To me, these celebrations have become anchors of my faith, reminding me of the true reason why Christmas is celebrated.”

For many Filipino Catholics like Jaden, Simbang Gabi isn’t just an annual Christmas tradition but instead a celebration and devotion to the coming of Jesus. At Ateneo, this practice carries a deeper echo of meaning, drawing together family, friends, and even alumni who return to their alma mater to walk under the soft glow of decorative  lights and familiar hymns, reminding everyone that the true spirit of Christmas lies in community, love, and celebrating Christ alongside the people we cherish most.

“Here in Ateneo we have been teaching students on how to see the real meaning of Christmas,” emphasized Ms. Ayn Capili, an English teacher and a mother to a Grade 1 Atenean. She goes on to reflect on how this understanding plays out in the classroom and beyond. “From every subject, I see it in how my students prepare for their TD Christmas party. They look forward to it not just as a celebration, but as a way of giving back to each other.” 

In Ateneo, students are guided not only to celebrate the birth of Christ but to live like Christ in their daily lives. Through moments of intentional formation in compassion and generosity, where students learn that the heart of the season lies in sharing joy and service with others — a lesson that resonates long after the holiday decorations come down.

“In grade 1, they have ‘Bigay Puso’ partners, where they exchange toys and it’s a really beautiful thing to witness within my students and my son,” Ma’am Capili had mentioned, illustrating how acts of generosity and heartfelt giving are encouraged even among young learners.

This simple practice reflects how the school instills generosity, empathy, and a spirit of giving from the very beginning of a student’s journey, showing that even young Ateneans are learning to live out the season’s deeper meaning through thoughtful and joyful acts of sharing.

Tis’ the Season to be Jolly 

And as Ateneans are guided to understand the true heart of Christmas, there’s a particular kind of magic that seems to fill the air, a joy that reflects what a genuine Ateneo Christmas is all about.

This spirit of generosity isn’t only felt in liturgies and celebrations, it’s lived out through traditions that bring the community together in service and gratitude. One such example is the event organized by the Junior Sanggunian, “Under the Mistletunes: Sa himig ng Pasko,” dala’y mahika ng saya’t pagbibigyan, a fundraising initiative that honors custodians, staff, and non‑teaching personnel, reminding everyone that the true meaning of the season lies in uplifting those who serve the community with dedication and heart. 

“I think that the essence of giving back to our community really reflects how I think the spirit of Christmas is here in Ateneo, because we all work towards putting in our efforts and time and knowledge into making our community, society and world a better place. and I think that’s the true joy of Christmas because it’s a holiday that highlights the importance of giving and receiving,” Mai Ruelo from 11-Brebeuf, a member of the junior sanggunian expounded, highlighting that through music and shared purpose, this event shows how Ateneans translate the season of giving into real, lived action — extending care beyond themselves and celebrating the people who help make campus life possible.

“For me, being an Ateneo student has many different aspects,” she said, “First, my Christmas story here is very centered around Catholicism and God’s coming. It is through Jesus being born that humanity essentially was saved. To bring that spirit to this event is to have that saving presence or to emulate Jesus in the sense that he spent his whole life giving back towards us, hence how he was seen as a savior.” 

This reflection underscores how Ateneans are encouraged not just to learn about Christ, but to be like Christ, living out the values of self‑giving and service that are integral to Jesuit education’s vision of forming men and women for others. 

“Second, I think that in the Filipino way, the holidays are definitely a symbol of coming together as a family,” she continued, “and in a way, Ateneo has become a second family for so many of us here. This event is meant to be an opportunity for us to get together.”

Her observation reflects a beloved aspect of Filipino Christmas: a season of unity and shared celebration, where families and communities gather — whether in church or at home — to strengthen bonds and create meaningful memories together. 

“Third, Cura Personalis. The Junior Sanggunian did a reflection earlier this morning as of Monday, where we highlighted the importance of learning how to receive,” she explained. “While Christmas is often highlighted as giving back to the community, we highlighted there that it’s also important to learn how to receive with grace. Because it’s an exchange.”

In Jesuit education, cura personalis means caring for the whole person: mind, body, and spirit, as a way of honoring each individual’s dignity and uniqueness. This value calls Ateneans to be attentive not only to the needs of others, but also to their own capacity to receive support, kindness, and gratitude in return.

In this light, Under the Mistletunes became more than a fundraiser but it became a celebration of community and gratitude, designed to honor custodians, staff, classmates, and the wider Ateneo family for all they give and share. “So this event in a sense was made to appreciate our community, our custodians and staff, our classmates and everyone in Ateneo,” she said. “I feel like this event has become a reflection of being grateful in our community.”

As the Christmas season unfolds at Ateneo, what emerges is more than a series of events — it is a living expression of the community’s heart. From Simbang Gabi and classroom reflections on giving and receiving, to student‑led initiatives like “Under the Mistletunes,” that honor those who serve, the campus becomes a place where faith, gratitude, and compassion meet. 

“In my opinion, Christmas in Ateneo has a unique ‘flavor’ to it. From the highly regarded Simbang Gabi masses in the Gesu, to the simple advent wreaths in every classroom, the very origins of Christmas have always been present, never being sidelined by commercial trends,” Jaden Junio reflected, showing how an Ateneo Christmas feels genuine and rooted in tradition.

“In addition to this, there is a sense of camaraderie to be highlighted in Christmas celebrations. After all, we are all ‘Ateneans,’ and it’s that feeling of group belongingness that transcends age, social and economic status, academic proficiency, etc., that truly binds us together, especially during Christmas,” he reflected, capturing how community and connection are at the heart of an Ateneo Christmas. 

Like the line from our Alma Mater song, “Win or lose, it’s the school we choose; this is the place where we belong,” the spirit of an Ateneo Christmas is rooted in belonging. Sung with pride at events and games, this phrase reflects a deep sense of loyalty and unity among Ateneans that goes beyond success or circumstance. No matter where life leads them, many still carry with them the memory of shared moments, values, and community — a testament to how Christmas at Ateneo is not just a celebration, but a homecoming of hearts.

This is the magic that lingers long after the season ends, a reminder that the essence of Christmas lives not just in celebration, but in how we live and give to one another each day. In the glow of Christmas lights, the laughter of classmates, and the shared moments of reflection and joy, is where the true spirit of an Ateneo Christmas — one of love, generosity, and community — shines brightest.