Misa de Gallo Faithlinks

Tomorrow we begin the beautiful tradition of "Simbang Gabi" or "Misa de Gallo." It is a more intense period of preparation for the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Christ.

Liturgically, we are still in the season of Advent. But for all practical purposes, Christmas celebrations start with these 9 days before Christmas Day. The Christmas Season (the 12 days of Christmas more or less) starts on December 25 and ends with the Solemnity of the Epiphany.

But during most of those days the schools are on holidays, the offices are closed, and many people are out of town on vacation.

So, Misa de Gallo serves as a kind of sneak preview into Christmas, or a transition from Advent to Christmas. In the words of a Pilipino Christmas carol: "Simbang gabi'y simula ng Pasko sa puso ng lahing Pilipino. Siyam na gabi kaming gumigising, sa tugtog ng kampanang walang tigil."

To me, the Simbang Gabi is especially beautiful because of its meaningful symbolism. It is still a period of waiting and preparation. It entails the sacrifice of getting up early in the morning. It is a sacrifice we offer in preparation for the coming of the Savior.

A Love Offering. Time itself from the darkness of night to the light of dawn is symbolic of the world in the darkness of sin waiting for the coming of dawn, the coming of Jesus Christ-the Light of the world. The singing of the "Gloria" is in joyful anticipation of Christmas. The custom of "painit" after the Mass with traditional Bibingka and Puto-Bumbong, as well asother appetizing pastries, bring us the spirit of festivity of the season and the joy of family gathering - often with friends.

As we get closer to Christmas Day, it may be good to ask ourselves, "What is Christmas to me?"

It is a time to put up those beautiful decorations if you have not yet done so - but why? It is a time to give gifts to our friends - but why? For some it is a time to ask for gifts - but why? Is it just a custom and tradition at this time of the year? Are we living a Christmas without Christ, like many pagans do? The consumer society encourages us to non-stop parties and shopping. To spend more money. And all these have nothing to do with Christ.

Some countries call this time of the year Winter Holidays, not Christmas Season. The Nativity scene (the Belen) is forbidden as a Christmas decoration in public, - only non religious decorations such as Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the reindeer are allowed. There is no room for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the inn.

Perhaps most of us celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. That is good in itself. Except that we tend to anesthesize and romanticize the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. We remove the dirt and stinking smell of animals. Mary and Joseph had been traveling for days in the heat of the sun. And they look as if they had just come from the beauty parlor. The Christmas scene looks so beautiful on the Christmas cards.

However, looking beyond the external is the greatest Gift of Love. Jesus is the Gift of God, Love in the flesh.  The Father gave us what is most precious to Him. The Jewish celebration of the Passover is to make themselves present during the actual happening in history. To be present there at the time when the event was happening.

Can we make ourselves present during that first Christmas Eve as it was happening? What would we say to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph? What would they say to us?

Secondly, in Advent we prepare for the Final Coming of our Lord at the end of time. His coming in Bethlehem happened more than 2,000 years ago. He promised to come again at the end time, the end of this world as we know it. We don't know the when or how.

There is a big difference. Most of us look to the first coming of Our Lord at Christmas with nostalgia and nice feelings. But most of us look at the Final Coming of Our Lord with fear and trembling. It is the same Jesus, who is coming. The question is: How do we prepare for His coming?  Do we prepare ourselves so that He will be coming as a friend, or will He be a stranger coming to sentence us? The difference is how we know Jesus. Who is Jesus to you? There is a third way by which Jesus is coming. He comes to us in our daily life.

This is most important. Jesus describes the end of our lives and the end of the world with two images: It is like a thief in the night coming when we least expect it or as a bridegroom coming to claim his bride. If we don't grow in our relationship with him in our daily life, He will be coming as a thief in the night. If we cultivate an intimate relationship with Him, He will come as a bridegroom claiming his bride. How do we cultivate that intimate relationship with Him? One of the principal Advent Guides is John the Baptist.

John was to prepare the way of the Lord  by leveling the mountains and hills,- filling up valleys and ravines,  making the rough roads smooth. What does this mean concretely? It means on the one hand to remove or overcome any thing that keeps us from opening ourselves to God more totally. Concretely, it may mean to be more understanding, patient and compassionate towards others, especially our subordinates.

It may mean to be more forgiving, and letting go of our favorite grudges. In short, it means to be more Christ-like.

Moreover, this Advent and Christmas Seasons bring us great opportunities for love and service towards our suffering brothers and sisters, who are victims of the natural calamities like typhoons, earthquakes, and floods; people who not only lost their homes and loved ones, but even their means of livelihood to rehabilitate. They still need our help.

Perhaps, during this Season of Advent and Christmas, we can pray for the grace to be more sensitive to the needs of others, and to be more generous in our response to their needs, and to be more responsible to the care of our environment.

Perhaps for every party and celebration we have during this Advent and Christmas, we can set aside a counterpart for the victims of calamities. I'm sure your Christmas will be doubly merry and happy for such an act of generosity.