Christmas is just around the corner and the Advent season has begun. Are you prepared to let Christ in your heart and home?
The advent season is about reflection and preparation of our hearts and home for Christ's birth. As an anticipation of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, this article will tackle the symbol of the manger, definition, and origin of Simbang Gabi, Misa de Aguinaldo, and Misa de Gallo.
The Manger is where Christ lay to rest after he was born. It symbolizes poverty where it surrounded Christ's birthplace. However, the manger truly represents humankind's sinful condition, and some may say that it also symbolizes the start of a journey; the first step into a long trip to the final destination. Since birth is the beginning of everyone. The manger held no power because it only held the infant Christ. His ultimate goal in this world was always the cross, the grave, and resurrection which displayed his power over death.
Evening Mass, colloquially known as Simbang Gabi is a series of Catholic masses in the Philippines during the nine days leading to Christmas. Similar to the concept, Misa de Aguinaldo (Gift Mass) is an early morning mass leading to Christmas in Puerto Rico that takes place at 3 am and 5 am from December 16 to December 24. Misa de Gallo or Roosters mass in Spanish is observed every Christmas Eve which is also referred to as the last mass on Christmas Eve. In 1669, Catholic priests started to hold mass in the early mornings instead of the afternoons so the farmers could work during the day.
Advent season indeed is the most anticipated season in the liturgical calendar. Because it is fixated on everyone that the Nativity of the Lord is similar to the abundance of blessings everyone will receive this coming Christmas, especially nowadays when everything and everyone is experiencing various dilemmas.
Article by: Athea Baranda
Photos by: Nica Yalung and Angela Navarrete