The Simbang Gabi (translated as Night Mass) is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced mainly by the Roman Catholics, perhaps a few Eastern Catholics, and the Aglipayans in the Philippines in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in anticipation of Christmas.
There are also a handful of Evangelical Christian and Protestant churches (Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, etc.) that have adopted this beautiful tradition of early morning worship in preparation for the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
It is held from December 16 to December 24 and is usually done as early as 4 or 5 in the morning. Although a lot of churches have already adopted the anticipated night worship services/Mass for those who can not attend the early morning Mass. The last day of the Simbang Gabi which falls on Christmas Eve is called Misa de Gallo, which literally means the “Rooster’s Mass”, in remembrance of the Filipino farmers during Spanish colonial period who had to attend Mass at 4 AM so they can set to work on their fields by 6 AM. Continue reading What “Simbang Gabi” Should Mean Today