For the Filipinos, Misa de Gallo, Simbang Gabi or the Pre Dawn Mass is the start of the Christmas Celebration. It is celebrated yearly on 16 up to 24 December. Our history book says that the Spanish priests during the colonial period started the tradition of conducting the dawn mass so that farmers could attend Christmas Eucharistic celebration.
I have a fond memory of the ‘Simbang Gabi’ as a child. I would often try to complete the 9 day dawn mass because of the belief that wishes could come true. The belief is childish and innocent. We should cherish this value and do away with the materialistic Christmas.
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