The Philippines shows the world how to celebrate Christmas

By Sarah Brown, CNN

Updated 1341 GMT (2141 HKT) December 5, 2012

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Christmas celebrations in the Philippines are the longest -- and most lavish -- in the world. These <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-887973">beautifully lit trees </a>in Makati City, Philippines were captured by iReporter Martin Javin.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

A long and lavish Christmas – Christmas celebrations in the Philippines are the longest -- and most lavish -- in the world. These beautifully lit trees in Makati City, Philippines were captured by iReporter Martin Javin.

Hide Caption

1 of 9

Christmas lanterns known as 'parols' light up many a Filipino mall, home or street, as seen in <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-887174">this image</a> by Christian Bordo. They were created in 1928 by an artisan to help villagers find their way to churches to pray.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

Christmas lanterns – Christmas lanterns known as 'parols' light up many a Filipino mall, home or street, as seen in this image by Christian Bordo. They were created in 1928 by an artisan to help villagers find their way to churches to pray.

Hide Caption

2 of 9

The parol lanterns are most likely nowadays to be powered by electronic lights, but <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-888450">their beauty</a> still caught the eye of iReporter Stephanie Masalta.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

Lighting the way – The parol lanterns are most likely nowadays to be powered by electronic lights, but their beauty still caught the eye of iReporter Stephanie Masalta.

Hide Caption

3 of 9

Some displays are more common than others -- this <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-888355">unusual candy house display</a> in Binan City intrigued iReporter Pauline Alvarez. "You can't help but smile at the sight of this. Isn't that what Christmas is about?" she said.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

A candyland Christmas – Some displays are more common than others -- this unusual candy house display in Binan City intrigued iReporter Pauline Alvarez. "You can't help but smile at the sight of this. Isn't that what Christmas is about?" she said.

Hide Caption

4 of 9

iReporter Aaron Banaticla loved this <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-887310">outlandish elephant light display</a> near his Laguna home, although he was at a loss to explain why locals had chosen the creature for their Christmas decorations.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

Pachyderms on parade – iReporter Aaron Banaticla loved this outlandish elephant light display near his Laguna home, although he was at a loss to explain why locals had chosen the creature for their Christmas decorations.

Hide Caption

5 of 9

In the Philippines, Christmas trees come <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-887845">in all shapes and sizes</a> -- this one in iReporter Miaflor Tatlonghari's image is at least 30ft tall and towers over Santa Claus's house in Santa Rosa city.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

Towering trees – In the Philippines, Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes -- this one in iReporter Miaflor Tatlonghari's image is at least 30ft tall and towers over Santa Claus's house in Santa Rosa city.

Hide Caption

6 of 9

A wacky Christmas parade with dancers, mascots and of course <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-889604">Santa Claus</a> caught iReporter Patricia Garcia's eye during a shopping trip to a local mall.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

Dancing around the Christmas tree – A wacky Christmas parade with dancers, mascots and of course Santa Claus caught iReporter Patricia Garcia's eye during a shopping trip to a local mall.

Hide Caption

7 of 9

Student Mae Anne Alejandro loves the <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-888354">delicious food </a>prepared at Christmas time in the Philippines. It's doled out at food carts and stands set up by Christmas light displays across the country.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

Food for thought – Student Mae Anne Alejandro loves the delicious food prepared at Christmas time in the Philippines. It's doled out at food carts and stands set up by Christmas light displays across the country.

Hide Caption

8 of 9

Above all, at Christmas time Filipinos are urged to think of others. iReporter Janoah Soriano captured this <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-887236">poignant image</a> of evacuees from areas affected by typhoons earlier this year now living in temporary accommodation. They recieved free Christmas gifts from a Christian charity.

Photos: Why the Philippines leads the world in celebrating Christmas

The season of goodwill to all – Above all, at Christmas time Filipinos are urged to think of others. iReporter Janoah Soriano captured this poignant image of evacuees from areas affected by typhoons earlier this year now living in temporary accommodation. They recieved free Christmas gifts from a Christian charity.

Hide Caption

9 of 9

Story highlights

The Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world -- from September to January
The festive season is marked by traditional masses, spectacular light displays and family gatherings
Traditional paper and bamboo lanterns known as 'parols' light up many Filipino villages and towns
Some villages organise contents for the best Christmas decorations

Where would you find the most Christmas spirit in the world? It's hard to say for certain, but if a global competition were to be held, the Philippines would have an excellent shot at winning.

The southeast Asian island nation has the world's longest festive season -- and pulls no punches in its celebratory zeal for the period, with lavish light displays, masses, and festivals held throughout the country from September until January.

One of the most populous nations in Asia, the Philippines is an overwhelmingly Christian nation. Approximately 90% of Filipinos are Christian and 80% of those are Catholic, an influence gleaned from the country's period as a Spanish colony from the sixteenth century until the end of the nineteenth.

Read: Five real-life winter wonderlands

As a result, while many countries concentrate on the commercial side of Christmas, Filipinos attend several masses throughout the Christmas season and faith forms an intrinsic part of celebrations.