Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi originated in 1669 during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, as a practical compromise for farmers who began working before sunrise. When the Christmas season would begin, it was customary to hold novenas in the evenings, a practice common in the rest of the Hispanic world; however, the priests saw that the people would attend despite the day's fatigue. As such, with the Philippines being an agricultural country known for its rice, coconut, and sugarcane plantations, the clergy began to say Masses in the early morning while it was still dark, before people went out to work the land. ==Current practices==

decorated with lights for Simbang Gabí. , Batangas Liturgically, Simbang Gabi is a series of votive Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Unless it is celebrated on a Sunday of Advent, the Mass is celebrated with great solemnity where the Gloria is sung and white is the liturgical color. Violet or pink is used for any other Masses said during the day. . The Mass usually begins at 4:00 a.m. Pope Sixtus V ordered that Mass must be heard before sunrise since it was the harvest season, and farmers needed to be in the fields right after the liturgy. Evening celebrations of Simbang Gabi are also held from December 15 until 23. Although erroneously described as "anticipated Simbang Gabi" (since vigil or anticipated Masses are only applicable for Sundays and solemnities), these are done especially in urban areas. However, the propers and readings used for these Masses are those which are prescribed for the day. "Anticipation" of the propers and readings prescribed for the next day is usually prohibited; however, it is allowed by the Archdiocese of Manila. A well-known folk belief is that if a devotee completes all nine days of the Simbang Gabi, God may grant a request made as part of the novena. To give the faithful a chance to experience how Simbang Gabi was celebrated during the Spanish Era, groups which celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass also have the Simbang Gabi in candlelight, using locally composed, centuries-old settings for the propers and ordinaries of the Mass. ==Cuisine==

During the Spanish colonial era and early American colonial period, the parishioners would mostly have nothing to offer during Mass except sacks of rice, fruits and vegetables, and fresh eggs. The church would share the produce with the congregation after the service. After Mass, Filipinos buy and eat holiday delicacies sold in the churchyard for breakfast. Bibingka (rice cakes cooked above and below) and puto bumbong (steamed purple rice pastries, seasoned with butter, grated coconut, and brown sugar) are popular, often paired with tsokolate (hot chocolate from local cacao) or salabát (ginger tea). Today, local delicacies are readily available in the church's premises for the parishioners. The iconic puto bumbóng, bibingka, suman and other rice pastries are cooked on the spot. Latík and yema are sweets sold to children, while biscuits like uraró (arrowroot), barquillos, lengua de gato and otap (ladyfingers) are also available. Kapeng barako (a very strong coffee grown in the province of Batangas), hot tsokolate, or salabat are the main drinks, while soups such as arróz caldo (rice and chicken porridge) and papait (goat bile stew from the Ilocos region) are also found. The rice-based foods were traditionally served to fill the stomachs of the farmers, since rice was a cheap and primary staple. The pastries were full of carbohydrates needed by colonial Filipinos for the work they undertook in the rice paddies and sugar mills. Those attending the evening Masses add these to the dinner served after the liturgy. ==Decorations and material culture==

Filipino Christmas lanterns called parol are linked to Simbang Gabi because they were originally used to light the way to church for people attending the pre-dawn Mass. As Simbang Gabi grew into a wider cultural tradition, the parol evolved from a simple functional object into a decorative emblem of Filipino Christmas, with churches, homes, and streets displaying parols to mark the beginning of the novena and to welcome worshipers. Nativity displays, locally known as belen, are commonly found in many places like churches, plazas, and homes during Simbang Gabi. The scene usually displays the Holy Family, shepherds, and the wise men. Many churches include large or elaborately decorated belen exhibits as part of their preparation for the nine-day Christmas novena. ==See also==