Father Ray & Father Ian - What is your favorite childhood memory of Advent?

Father Ian    
The Philippines, as a predominantly Catholic country in Asia, celebrates Advent as big as we celebrate Christmas. With Christmas carols heard as early as September and the season lasting up until Epiphany, the country has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season. Imagine that! Christmas Day in the Philippines is ushered in by the nine-day dawn masses. Known as the Misa de Gallo ("Rooster's Mass") in Spanish and in Filipino as Simbang Gabi, or "Night Mass", this novena of Masses is the most important Filipino Christmas tradition.

The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the "Misa de Gallo" on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Since the "Simbang Gabi" starts on December 16 (3rd week of Advent), my childhood memories of Advent include waking up as early as 4 am to get ready for the 5 am mass. As a young boy, I remember having a hard time to wake up really early, but at the same time feeling so excited because first: I feel honored to be able to be an altar server in this important Filipino tradition, and second: mouth watering breakfast will be served after the Mass.

"Simbang Gabi" is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant momen,t not only because it strengthens relationships among family members, but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. The message of the season of Advent also reflects to what "Simbang Gabi" is all about. We wait in Faith, Hope, and Love for the coming of our Savior.

Father Ray    
The Advent traditions I remember most growing up as a child are many. Among them is the Advent calendar and setting up the manger scene with my brother and mother. But the most memorable tradition was the Wigilia Dinner (Vigil Dinner) celebrated with the entire family on Christmas Eve.

A thin layer of straw was placed under the tablecloth in memory of the Christ child in the manger. At the beginning of the meal, the oldest male of the family would break Oplatek, a thin, unleavened wafer similar to the altar bread used at mass. The wafer was stamped with the images of the Holy Family. The elder of the house would then go to each person at the table and broke bread (Oplatek) with them, wishing them health, happiness and blessings in the New Year. Then each person would take a piece of the Oplatek and break bread with each other. It was a very Eucharistic celebration celebrated in the home.

The Wigilia was a meatless meal which included mushroom soup, boiled potatoes, pickled herring, fried fish, pierogi (ravioli type dish), beans and sauerkraut, and babka (Polish bread) and assorted pastries for desert.

After the dinner, the family would gather in the living room and wait for Santa's arrival, singing traditional Polish Christmas carols as we waited. Santa would leave the gifts on the porch of the house, and these gifts were brought into the home and opened by all.

We then would get ready for midnight mass to celebrate the Birth of the Savior. Christmas day was spent in rest, prayer and visits with family and friends. This was a wonderful family experience that I remember with fondness till this day.

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!
Marry Christmas!
Fr. Ray