Some Philippine Christmas songs from youtube to anticipate the Christmas season and celebrating the birth of Christ
Christmas is a week away, and here in the Philippines, the practice is to attend mass for nine days before Christmas. This is called "Simbang Gabi"
.....so what is Simbang Gabi?
MANILA -- Attending "Simbang Gabi" or Misa de Gallo (dawn mass) for nine consecutive days is one of the most distinctive traditions of Christmas in the Philippines. From December 16 to 24, Filipinos from all walks of life make an effort to wake up every dawn to attend the novena masses which start as early as 4 a.m. to pray to God for a healthy life, successful career, stronger family ties, among others....
The mass is before dawn, so the farmers could attend mass before they go to work.
After the mass, here in our town, usualy people gather at the plaza and eat a small meal (and the boys flirt with the girls) before returning home.
no, we don't have a McD near our plaza (just Jolibee and the local food vendors). But in the Philippines, God is part of the family, and eating with family is part of the way we celebrate God as father, Jesus as kuya (older brother) and Mama Mary.
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