Simbang Gabi and Christmas Celebration

An indispensable part of Filipino tradition is the 9-day novena of early morning Masses (usually at 4:00 a.m.) known as Simbang Gabi (literally translated in English to "Night Masses"). Sometimes it is referred to as Misa de Aguinaldo (Gift Mass), while others prefer Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Early-Morning Rooster)—although this term is applied by most to the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which is the culmination of the novena that began on December 16. After the Midnight Mass, Filipino families gather for a sumptuous feast followed by exchange of gifts and celebration until the crack of dawn to welcome Christmas day.
source: archdioceseofanchorage

Traditionally, it is celebrated on early mornings but nowadays, churches had schedules of Simbang Gabi at nights starting from December 15 to December 23. They say that the 9-day Novena represents the 9 months of Mama Mary's pregnancy and preparation to the Christ coming to save us.

In my 26 years of existence I am confessing that I have not been able to attend the 9-day novena and I feel the need to fulfill those years. Usually, me and my family attends the mass on December 24th and celebrates Christmas Eve at home. Simple celebration as long as we are celebrating holidays together in good health. Time passes and many priorities are being considered, families cannot deny the fact that sometimes Holidays like Christmas could be celebrated alone or apart from our love ones because of those priorities. But family ties is the most important thing and because of our technologies, everything is possible so as in TVcommercials, parents abroad and children at home, celebrating Christmas Eve together though internet.

Christmas is about family. Christmas is about loving and giving and being happy, being thankful for the wonderful gifts of life. In any ways that we celebrate Christmas, we should not forget to give our whole-hearted thanks to Him who gives us strengths and blessings in our daily lives.