Christmas in our Hearts

9 days to go before Christmas and for the Filipinos, the excitement of the people can be felt anywhere. And speaking of 9 days, I attended a mass early in the morning this December 16 because there is this Filipino Tradition that has been practiced for a long time already called Misa de Gallo or often called as “Simbang Gabi”. It is by attending 9 Novena Masses early in the morning.

Many of the people want to complete the 9 Eucharistic Celebrations because it is said that once you complete all of them until the 24^th of December, your wish will come true. Sure you’ll be enthusiastic too right? Think about it, your wish will come true and all you have to do is wake very early in the morning, attend 9 masses, try not to sleep during the mass and that’s it. Anyways, as I attend the first mass, there are a lot of people, like they even bring their own chairs so because the church’s chairs are already full even if some are tired or still sleepy they are still eager to join the mass. I am amazed by this tradition because this can create a better relationship to God.

The good part of it too is about the food, there is a delicacy here in the Philippines specially in Cebu called “Puto at Sikwate” it is basically a sweetened rice cake and a hot chocolate drink. Once the mass is over, you eat the rice cake with the chocolate drink and your breakfast is already done. It is the best combo early in the morning.

Excitement and joy are felt for the Filipinos during this time of the year, and just like Jose Marie Chan’s famous song, Christmas is in our Hearts. Happy Holidays Everybody!