“May we spend the time to, at least, listen to His word”
CHRISTMAS is always a peculiar time for Catholics here in the Philippines. For one, it has distanced itself from the season’s commercial-induced celebrations.
The hundred-day waiting period has been their object of disdain, as a result. They believe counting down to Christmas must begin nine days before Dec. 25. As with the grand scheme of its traditions, a novena is observed.
And what better way to observe this in the way we know and love…is the yearly simbang gabi (and misa de aguinaldo) — this event sees people of all ages and seasons go to church after dinner time and early in the morning for the next nine days.
A star-studded cast of Catholic devotees fill up its pews, line up for the Bread, and contribute to their personal sacrifice leading up to Christmas day.
These masses, unlike the ones done usually on Sundays, often use certain elements that are usually done in a more solemn setting (High Mass). The repeated chorus of Bob Dufford’s “Let heaven rejoice and earth be glad” is accompanied with the incense being waved across the hall from the door to the altar.
As the ministers and priest(s) walk along the nave, people would continue to squeeze inside the church premises, with some having to bring their own foldable chairs for their seats. It’s like a concert event, you know, with an entire parish filled with its own crowds, all sitting and standing, just to participate in its solemn feast.
They are eager enough to dedicate their time and effort to ask for their most-cherised graces and requests. They believe these would be granted by the Divine if they complete the 9-day novena.
Unfortunately, this tradition only spurs out the reality of seeing passersby attending the Mass for that particular season alone. Or whose desire to attend was not because of Christ’s presence, but of their own kind and gang.
Call it simbang tabi, an annual treat for friends who would only clump themselves up around the pews far from the church altar. These are people who would dress up in their casual, sometimes in their “hood” design, to just hang out and make noise during the Mass.
Sometimes, they’ll be the ones to feast on the hot morning treats that can be bought around its gates outside.
Simbang tabi is a misnomer. It signals one’s distaste of how awfully lethargic these Masses are that is expressed in their own form of dissent.
No, it’s not simply just doing some chitchat, but literally avoiding what was being done inside the church. They would take their skates out, smoke some of their vape, and fool around within the vicinity. I’d never dared to ask their reasons why, but I have an idea of their reasons.
This is not to say the church should be more performative or whatever in terms of presenting the Mass — no, no, no. The Mass is already active and alive as it is. What they must avoid, if I could suggest, is its tendency to include dance numbers while a song is being played. It takes the attention away from Christ, the man who is to come on His birth.
But what the church should really do is to reorient and educate the faithful on how important these novena masses are.
It should also strongly embody that Jesus’ presence does not only rest on Christmas; it is His gift that is presented to the people everyday. He, after all, came, died and rose again.
He will be remembered again as a little child who was born in a manger, against the world’s expectations, that symbolizes His pure and innocent force amidst the thick blanket of darkness.
But for now, may we spend the time to, at least, listen to His word. And avoid the crowds roaming around in this period of simbang ta — oh, I’m sorry, simbang gabi.
(The writer is a 22-year-old freelance writer from Paranaque City who divides his time between completing his college degree and contributing some features for the paper. He was an intern for Manila Standard from June to August 2024.)—
