Simbang Gabi: Fostering Love and Peace Among Filipino Families 

Every December, Filipinos celebrate Simbang Gabi with their families as a Christmas tradition to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and await the birth of Jesus Christ. No Filipino Christmas is complete without attending the Simbang Gabi.

Written by: Tiffany Ocampo

Layout by: Ian Sullano

December 24, 2023 | 4:15 P.M.

Simbang Gabi is a cherished Filipino Christmas tradition that fosters a strong sense of community among Filipinos. Also known as Misa de Gallo or “Rooster’s Mass”, it is a novena — a nine-day series of dawn masses that lead up to Christmas Eve. The nine masses represent each month of the Blessed Virgin Mary carrying baby Jesus in her womb in anticipation of his birth. Families, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate and share the joy of the season.

This spiritual pilgrimage begins on December 16 and culminates on December 24. Filipinos wake up as early as 4 or 5 in the morning to observe the Simbang Gabi tradition, which lasts for about an hour and ends before sunrise. Attending the masses is a way to deepen one’s faith as they seek blessings for intentions and prayers. It is also widely believed among Filipino Catholics that if one completes the nine-day series of masses, their wishes and prayers will be fulfilled. 

Not only could Simbang Gabi be considered an opportunity as an answer to one’s prayers, in a theological perspective, the deep symbolism of the nine-day masses also represent the nine months that Mary has bore Jesus in her womb. Signifying the strength, obedience, and faith she put in God to follow His will. Christmas is not merely a celebration of Jesus’ birth, but also a commemoration of Mary’s sacrifice and willingness to obey the will of the Lord.

In the past, Simbang Gabi was held before dawn to allow farmers and fishermen to participate in them before they go to work early in the morning. The tradition of Simbang Gabi was introduced back when the Spanish missionaries arrived in the Philippines in the 16th century.

Nowadays, the tradition of going to mass early in the morning still continues. Churches are decorated with colorful lights and flickering lanterns to welcome churchgoers. 

There is also the nativity scene, the Belen, displayed in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The belen is an important feat of every Filipino Christmas. It is composed of Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the farm animals, and sometimes also includes the Three Kings or the three wise men and angels. As a nation that prioritizes family above all, the belen is a wonderful way to represent the values of the Filipino people and show the unity and love in Jesus’ family that fateful night He was brought into the world. 

After each mass, food stalls await outside the church, offering a variety of traditional Filipino delicacies such as bibingka (rice cake), puto bumbong (purple colored rice cake), and pan de sal (bread rolls). It truly is a time of joy and laughter among families to share meals together. 

More than just a religious observance, Simbang Gabi is an intentional celebration of the Christmas season among families and friends. As Filipinos have family-centric values, the season of Christmas embodies the tradition of being with the community, not only limited to our families but also our friends and those that envelop us; similar to how the ministry of Christ was, at first, just Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.