The countdown to Christmas day started at the stroke of midnight Friday ushering the greatest story of mankind ever told, the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25, a Sunday. This early the atmosphere is festive all over as Christmas lights and other holiday paraphernalia competing for attention whether in houses, public plazas, parks, public buildings, places of worships and what have you. This year’s Christmas is made more excited what with the millions of pesos flowing into the economic mainstream as a result of the government’s generosity. Practically all fringe benefits that come with the occasion like Christmas bonus, cash gift, 13 th month pay, extra bonus, name it, any government official and or employee has it. Not to mention workers in the private sector who are also at the receiving end of all sorts of Christmas benefits their employer can afford to give.

Pooling all these benefits coming from public and private sectors would easily be transformed into an enormous windfall resulting in malls, or any place selling general merchandise teeming with shoppers to beat the so-called Christmas rush. But before the people are lost in the frenzy of Christmas shopping and partying, let them be reminded that Christmas is not all there is to mundane considerations. In fact, before the whole of Christendome get lost in the revelry, it would be prudent to remind the faithful that Christmas is all about the second coming of the child Jesus. This explains why dawn masses are held since the start of the nine-day novena to usher in the birth of Christ. In whatever language whether” misa de aguinaldo” or “simbang gabi”, it all mean the same thing to the faithful that Christ is coming to town on December 25.

MISA DE GALLO

Misa de Gallo   (literally rooster's mass) is the name given in Spanish to the mass celebrated at midnight (or a bit before) on   Christmas Eve . It is also known as "Misa de los Pastores" (Shepherd's Mass in Spanish). Pope Sixtus III   (5th century AD), introduced the custom of celebrating Christmas in a night vigil to Rome. At midnight "just after the cockcrow", ad praesepium (before the crib) in a small oratory located behind the high altar of the   Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore . The discrepancy with today's time for the cockcrow is due to the fact that ancient Romans set the cockcrow at the start of the day, i.e. midnight. In Spanish-speaking countries the custom is still upheld, specially in Latin America. In Venezuela it is also known as "Misa de Aguinaldo", referring to the traditional Christmas music known by that name.   Misa do Galo  is the   Portuguese   phrase for the same mass. Some television channels   broadcast the Pope conducting the midnight mass in Rome. Other regions, such as   the Philippines , the prayer is done early in the morning on   Christmas Eve , and it is the last day of a nine-day ritual known as   Simbang Gabi . Completing the nine days culminating with the Misa de Gallo is said to make a wish come true, and many Filipinos believe this centuries-old promise to this day. One of the customs related to the Philippine Misa de Gallo is the selling of traditional Philippine food, such as   puto bumbong   (a purple colored rice pastry, seasoned with grated--coconut and brown sugar),  tsokolate  (a hot chocolate drink),   bibingka   (flour and egg cakes cooked on top and under), and   salabat , or ginger tea, which are sold by vendors to the faithful outside churches.

SIMBANG GABI

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass. Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

ORIGIN

Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass. During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.

SIMBANG GABI NOW AND THEN

The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.

SIGNIFICANCE

Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.