Chelsea de Leon

Every house filled with festive trinkets and a an often wobbly yet earnestly built Christmas tree create a welcome atmosphere to the joyous season; yet, to many people, their homes find genuine warmth by embracing the true mark of the beginning of Christmas through the nine-day observance of Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn. But why is it that the majority of Catholic Filipinos flock to churches at such an early hour? Is it for the supposed wish that would be bestowed on a person should they complete all days of Simbang Gabi? Or is there more to the tradition that families and friends celebrate in the days leading up to Christmas?