Category: Reflections

What makes us excited this Christmas season? Are we excited of opening our gifts? Receiving our bonuses? Seeing our loved ones? Gazing at colorfully lit Christmas decorations? Attending the Simbang Gabi? Queuing to taste the puto bumbong or bibingka? Are we really excited on the celebration of the coming of Jesus? Or our excitement is rooted only to some mundane matters?

Panunuluyan, a centuries-old tradition of the Filipinos depicts the search of Joseph and Mary for lodging in Bethlehem around two thousand years ago. This tradition is believed to be attributed originally to the Mexicans who are celebrating Las Posadas, Spanish word for “the inns.” It usually lasts for nine days, representing the nine-month pregnancy of Mary.

December 16, 2018 ~ St. Peregrine Laziosi Diocesan Shrine/ Jasper Christian Gambito. With the current trends in our society, it is of no wonder that some of our brethren feel hopeless, as if they were being succumbed into a dark abyss. Negativities are teeming around us, thus there are times when we are longing for something which would save us from despair. However, the lesson being taught to us by the dawn masses also being colloquially referred to as Simbang Gabi is to be hopeful for the coming of the Light which will enlighten our gloomy and rather dark paths.