"Simbang Gabi" a Filipino Christmas tradition, is a series of nine (9) dawn Masses, the Mass starts as early as 4:00 a.m. It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December, which is the midnight Mass.
This tradition was introduced in the 17TH century by the Spanish friars to allow the farmers to hear Mass before going to the fields early in the morning. Simbang Gabi is also known by its popular Spanish name as the Misa de Gallo, or "Mass of the rooster.''
In the olden days, the church bells started ringing as early as three o' clock, waking people up so they can get ready for the four o'clock dawn Mass.
The Roman 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.
Shortly after the Mass, traditional delicacies awaits the church goers and are sold in stalls right outside the church, Favorites like bibingka, puto (rice cakes), puto bungbong, suman sa pasko, suman sa ibos, usually served with tea or coffee. Hot pandesal (breakfast roll ) are also very popular.
Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so, but it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. The Simbang Gabi is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord,as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn Masses, wishes will be granted.
The Simbang Gabi tradition is also practiced by Catholic Filipino communities who are living elsewhere in the world. No matter how or when this celebration takes place, the Simbang Gabi provides a strong indication of the depth of Catholicism among the Filipino people.
