Simbang gabi, noche buena... ano ang paborito niyong tradisyon ng simbahan tuwing Pasko at Adbiento? Philippines

Maraming magandang tradisyon ang simbahan at tayong mga Filipino. Marami dito ay nakakalimutan na o natatabunan na ng komersyalismo. I-share natin kung ano ang paborito niyo at laging ina-asam-asam tuwing Pasko na nauukol at may kinalman sa mga tradisyon ng simbahan Katoliko.

Eto to start the thread. Something I'm writing for a book dapat, kaya lang, mostly my observations. Still looking for legitimate sources.

Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo or Misa de Gallo is something very unique to the Philippines. (I'm not sure if also in Mexico before.) It's a nine-day novena massess from December 16 to December 24 before dawn. What makes the masses unique is that it requires a special permission (from the Vatican) to celebrate these masses becasue the masses are not the regular ones for the season and deviates from what should be celebrated. There tow outstanding differences of the Simbang Gabi masses from the regular day's mass.

1. The color of advent is purple/violet. Masses for the rest of the day use violet as color. However, Simbang Gabi uses white for its liturgical color. White is the color for the Christmas season.

2. Advent is a season for penance and preparation for Christmas. Thus, the color violet and there is no singing or recitation of the Gloria. The Gloria is sung during Simbang Gabi but not for the other masses of the day.

I'm not sure what the other differences are but these were what Ihave observed. I'm still looking for the original Papal Bull (hopefully n English) that officially authorized the Simbang Gabi. Because of the Simbang Gabi, Christmas is actually being celebrated in the Philippines starting on 16 December. Thus the longest Christmas season.

Just to add some points about the Catholic Church calendar. Advent is the start of the Church calendar; it's new year. It begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. The Christmas season starts on Christmas Day (from midnight of 24 Dec) and ends on Epiphany (popularly called sometimes as Three Kings). Originally and still followed in some countries, Epiphany is celebrated on 6 January. (In the Philippines and many other countries, it is now celebrated on the first Sunday after 1 January.) Take note. From 25 December to 5 January (the eve of Epiphany) is twele days. Thus the song twelve days of Christmas.