I usually listen to music when I'm about to go to sleep because I want the music to wake me up in the morning. I used to wake up with pop songs being played; but, a Christmas song woke me up this morning...and, it reminded me of Christmas...Christmas is in the air now...
Christmas is the first thing that comes out in everyone's mind when September comes. The letters ber at the end of the month ( like September, October, etc.) reminds everyone that Christmas is coming.
When I arrived in the office, I greeted my office mates with , " Merry Christmas". Later on, we talked about Christmas party. Since gift-giving is part of Christmas so we discussed about it. Now, I'm thinking of what to give on Christmas.
Advance Merry Christmas everyone!
Part of celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is to attend a "midnight mass" or "Misa de Gallo" in Spanish or "Simbang Gabi" in Tagalog.
Misa de Gallo is literally translated as "Rooster's Mass" because it was believed that the rooster was one of the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus Christ, and thus be the one to announce it. It lasts for nine days that starts on December 16 to December 24, wherein the people attend dawn masses at 4:00-5:00 a.m.
Filipinos wake up very early to attend dawn masses as an expression of devotion towards God; likewise, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Morning Star, who bore and gave birth to Jesus. On the other hand, it is also believed that you have to make wishes on the first day of the dawn masses; then, once you're able to complete the 9 dawn masses, your wishes will come true.
Last Christmas I tried to complete the 9 dawn masses because I've never completed it ever since. I made wishes on the first day I attended the rooster's mass and I kept on repeating my wishes from day 1 to 9. I was very excited to wake up at 3:30 a.m. and went directly to church. I preferred to stand up from the beginning of the mass 'til the end as a sign of sacrifice and devotion to God, Jesus Christ and Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the 8th day of the "simbang gabi", I wasn't feeling well due to the mishap that happened to me in my cousin's wedding; yet, I still attended it because I promised myself to complete the 9 dawn masses. Then, the night before the last dawn mass I had a fever. I thought I couldn't attend it because I felt worst. My mom monitored my fever until 2:00 a.m because I was still very hot and she said I talked while I was sleeping. Miraculously, as my mobile phone alarmed at 4:00 a.m my temperature had lowered. I didn't feel well yet, but I put on my clothes immediately and went to church to attend the last dawn mass. Again, I stood up as a sign of sacrifice and right after the mass the rain dropped. I wasn't feeling well yet, so I went home directly and went back to bed afterwards.
My mom was shocked why my fever was suddenly gone an hour before the mass started? On the other hand, I wasn't shocked because I knew it was my faith to God that cured my illness. For, it was on my mind and heart that in sickness or in health, I'd complete the 9 dawn masses. Besides, " Faith will heal", they said.
Thus, I'm very happy because I was able to complete the 9 dawn masses of Christmas. It was my first time to complete it. And, I strongly believe that my wishes during the dawn masses would come true.
Merry Christmas everyone and Advance Happy New Year!
I, as Christian Catholic, strongly believe and celebrate Christmas. Because it's the commemoration of the birth of the son of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ showed his GREAT & ENDLESS LOVE to people by sacrificing his self ( He died for the people.). And after all, he still continues to help and shower blessings to people.
Thus, I'm deeply touched with the christmas song, "Give Love on Christmas Day". Because it reminds me of HIM & HIS Great Love. I'm reminded that I should learn to forgive and forget those people who hurt me; on the other hand, I should learn to ask for forgiveness to those people whom I hurt. So that, LOVE is in the AIR and in the HEARTS of all the people during the day of Christmas.
LOVE should be in our hearts even if it's not Christmas, but because we're just human beings..prone to sin, so atleast we're ONE on Christmas Day! We should give love on Christmas Day.
Giving/receiving love & presents, singing christmas carols, attending/organizing christmas parties, spending chrismas with families/friends, decorating christmas lights/decors and forgiving/asking for forgiveness on or before christmas are the main ingredients to have a HAPPY, JOYOUS & MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS!
I wish you all a merry and a joyous Christmas! May we all give LOVE on Christmas Day!
