As Christmas draws near, Filipinos rise before sunrise to take part in Simbang Gabi, one of the country’s most enduring Catholic traditions. Celebrated from December 16 to 24, the nine-day series of dawn Masses—also known as Misa de Gallo—serves as a spiritual countdown to the birth of Jesus Christ and a reminder of faith amid the holiday rush.
Why Simbang Gabi is Held at Dawn
Simbang Gabi dates back to the Spanish colonial period in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Parish priest Julius De Sagun explained that Misa de Gallo means “Rooster’s Mass,” referring to the early hour when roosters crow at dawn.
The practice began as a pastoral accommodation for farmers and laborers, allowing them to attend Mass before heading to work. Rome later granted a special indult permitting these early Advent Masses, making Simbang Gabi a tradition uniquely rooted in Filipino faith. Another name, Misa de Aguinaldo or “Gift Mass,” highlights the grace received during the novena, though both terms refer to the same nine Masses.
How Simbang Gabi Prepares the Faithful for Christmas
Each Simbang Gabi Mass reflects salvation history leading to Christ’s birth. Readings focus on key moments such as the Annunciations, the Visitation, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Themes of waiting, hope, obedience, and faithfulness are emphasized throughout the novena.
Unlike Sunday readings, the scriptures from December 16 to 24 remain fixed each year, guiding the faithful toward Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when the Church celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming human.
More Than Tradition, a Way of Living Christmas
Beyond rituals and superstition, Simbang Gabi is a spiritual journey meant to deepen faith. The white vestments worn during Christmas Masses symbolize joy and God’s victory entering the world, while the veneration of the Santo Niño reflects a Filipino spirituality rooted in humility and closeness to God.
Simbang Gabi, De Sagun reminded, becomes meaningful when it leads not just to celebration, but to lives transformed by Christ.
