Christmas in the Philippines

Night Mass (Simbang Gabi)

Filipinos can withstand anything

Graphic Interpretation of Resilient Filipino Spirit by yours truly

Filipinos start to celebrate the Christmas Season as early as September. You will notice houses with several Christmas Decorations, streets lighten up with colorful lights and Christmas songs fill the air. This is the most awaited time of the year not only here in the Philippines but all over the world. There seems to be a different feeling when Christmas is fast approaching. Different cultures have different traditions of celebrating this Yuletide Season.

In the Philippines, there is a tradition with deep roots that is also observed by different countries mostly by Roman Catholic and most especially by the Filipino people during these holidays. It is the “Simbang Gabi” (Night Mass) which is a special Mass that is celebrated from December 16 to December 24. Contrary to its name “Night Mass”, this special Mass is celebrated early in the “morning”.   However there are anticipated “Simbang Gabi” Masses as well held on the night of December 15 which is more convenient to those people working during this long holidays.

This Dawn Mass and Night Mass are celebrated for nine consecutive days which symbolizes the preparation of oneself through religious sacrifice for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is long been believed that if you completed these nine day novena, your wish would come true.

I remember attending “Simbang Gabi” in my younger years because of that belief which will make my wishes come true. But as I grow up and mature, I had a change of perspective about this special Mass. Now, I celebrate “Simbang Gabi” to give thanks to our Lord and Creator for the blessings that He gave and will continue to give. It is my gift to our Lord for his upcoming birthday so-to-speak. 

Simbang Gabi or Night Mass Gospels

Infographic by yours truly

How did this tradition started?

Since the early time of Spanish era, “Simbang Gabi” has long been observed to accommodate Filipino farmers who work in the fields before sunrise to plant crops during the Christmas season. The Spanish Clergy would notice that their parishioners who attended the Night Mass are all exhausted from the day’s work so to compromise, they would celebrate it early in the morning before the parishioners would tend to their farm.

Today, Filipino parishioners have two options on when to celebrate “Simbang Gabi”. They either attend at night on December 15 to December 23 for an anticipated Mass or early in the morning from December 16 to December 24. Either ways, as long as you keep the very essence of this deep rooted custom and religious sacrifice, it does not matter at all.

“Simbang Gabi” 2013

For this year, the Philippines had a very challenging year on top of the daily challenges every Filipinos have to face. More than the festivities, the sincerest prayers and thanksgiving, be it over a single piece of bread or a long buffet of gourmet dishes, what is more important is what is inside our hearts when Christ will come on Christmas Day. Wherever and whatever each Filipino has in their lives, they are still grateful for having this year’s “Simbang Gabi” and the long awaited Christmas Day.

Maligayang Pasko sa lahat! Merry Christmas!