Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Samoa Islands — both east and west are in high anticipation for the coming of Christmas Day.

Since Samoa’s move across the international dateline several years ago, Jolly Old St. Nick has been distributing toys to good girls and boys in the independent county a day ahead of its neighbor American Samoa.  When Santa Claus lands his water sled drawn by 8 tiny dolphins on Pago Pago Harbor, he will have already visited our cousins to the west the day before.

Santa Claus—otherwise known as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle — has a long history steeped in Christmas traditions. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century, when Saint Nicholas walked the earth and became the patron saint of children.

“‘Twas the Night before Christmas” was instrumental in crafting the modern American version of Santa Claus. The poem describes St. Nicholas as “dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,” with twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks, a snow white beard and a round belly. Throughout the poem, Santa is depicted as a jolly elf bringing joy with his reindeer-led sleigh to both children and adults.

 As Christmas began to evolve into a family holiday leaving it pagan origins behind, the image of Santa changed as well. Now, his jolliness comes from the Christmas spirit, not feasting, and his rosy cheeks are the result of joy, not ‘spirits’.

Christmas is a special day for Christians, and especially locally — where church is intricately woven into the fine mat of the Samoan culture where beneath the tinsel and lights, gifts and rich food, is the observance of the birth of the baby Jesus — Christ the Savior.

This time of the year, many usually spend Christmas with families and friends, following church services. A tradition for the Methodist church is the “manuao”, which is carried out after Christmas Eve service where church members visit homes and sing until around 3a.m or 4a.m. Families usually provide gifts in return.

Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga says, “Christmas and New Years holidays are typically good times to be with our families,” and he announced that Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 as well as Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 will be observed as holidays in American Samoa.  ASG employees who are not required to perform essential services shall be excused from their duties.  While employees required to perform duties on those days will receive holiday wages in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

In a new turn of events, the governor said that beginning yesterday, Dec. 21, he asked directors where possible to place non-essential employees on a 50% staffing pattern through Jan. 3, 2024. “This will allow our employees opportunity to be with their families through the holiday season and hopefully returned with renewed spirit for the work we will all be doing in the next year.”

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said, “This season is a celebration of joy, peace, and hope, but most of all, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ,” in a message she released in celebration of Christmas.

‘A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed,’ (Proverbs 11:25 NIV). “May we remember charity, and take special joy in our families, friends, and many blessings this year. God bless American Samoa, the United States, and all our homes this Christmas.”

As residents have already started their holiday parties, they are reminded that police have started the usual holiday enforcement program, which includes roadblocks and runs through the New Year.

Follow these tips for the holiday season and beyond:

•           Always plan ahead. Designate a sober driver and arrange for an alternative way home just in case.

•           If you are hosting a party, always offer a non-alcoholic option for your guest so they can still have a good time eating and drinking with everyone else.

From all of us at Samoa News: “Merry Christmas American Samoa, especially our Toa o Samoa.” Please stay safe and healthy one & all as we take a break for Christmas so our staff can also spend it with their families. 

“For Christmas, may each and everyone of us be kind to one another and give of ourselves that which is best inside of us.”

Samoa News will return Tuesday, Dec. 26. In the meantime, news updates are abilable here on the website and our Facebook page.