Simbang Gabi

Today marks the start of the Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi is a nine day novena in preparation for Christmas Day. A lot of people attend the masses and complete it because they are praying for a particular wish to be granted.

I have fond memories of Simbang Gabi, I first attended the Simbang Gabi when I was in 2nd year high school with my Lola Edith. In our parish up to this date, there is an anticipated Simbang Gabi and two dawn masses for the Simbang Gabi to accommodate the many parishioners of St Joseph’s Church. The schedule for the dawn masses is one mass is at 3:00 am and the other is at 4:00 am. My Lola and I would attend the first mass.

I initially wanted to hear mass with my cousins at 4:00 am but decided against it later because I know that they will not be able to complete it because it ‘s really hard to get up in bed very early. I know that with my grandma with me there’s no chance that she’ll missed any of the masses plus I don’t want her to be walking alone to church. I desperately wanted to complete the Christmas masses because I was asking for my mother’s healing; that was the time that the cancer cells spread to her left arm. God granted my prayers and I had my mom with me for three more years

I practiced attending the Simbang Gabi Masses all throughout high school and when I was in college I opted to attend the anticipated Simbang Gabi which was at 9:00 in the evening, this time I was with my father and Lola Edith.

When I started working, I wasn’t able to complete the masses already because of my work schedule.

But for this year, I am having my own schedule of Simbang Gabi, I’m going to hear the masses at 6:00 am before I go to work which I started already this morning.. I’m attending nine masses not only because I’m praying for a particular intention but as a thanksgiving to God for the many blessings He has poured upon me and my loved ones.

The gifts have been wrapped, our house has been decorated for the season and even the menu for Christmas Day has been planned out already, attending the masses is for the preparation of my heart for the birth of my Savior.