How is the start of your 2024? I hope the few days of 2024 are giving us the thrill and excitement of what this year could bring.
But before realizing out plans for this year, I want to go back to what made my 2023 extra memorable. I know this blog is a bit late but I still want to share this with everyone.
Christmas is the most anticipated and celebrated season in the Philippines. We can already see Christmas decorations as early as September. Christmas lights, Christmas trees, lanterns, and children caroling are everywhere. We started to have shorter days and longer nights. The wind started to get even more colder. Family reunions and Christmas parties were already planned. That's how we get excited with Christmas. But one more thing I get ecstatic about during Christmas is the Misa de Gallo.
Misa de Gallo refers to a series of nine masses leading up to Christmas. It is a Catholic tradition that gives the faithful an opportunity for spiritual preparation before the Christmas celebration.
In 2006, I was in high school, I started completing the 9 dawn masses or Misa de Gallo. I was also serving in the church so I had a reason to never skip one. But more than just having the obligation of attending the dawn masses, I feel like it is my heart that wants it. I am entertained seeing others who tried not to fall asleep while the mass is still going on. Hahaha. I enjoyed listening to homilies with which it is a lot obvious that the priest took time preparing for it. I feel in awe with the large crowd of people going to church, with their friends, colleagues, and families.
I feel so alive every time I get to hear church songs specifically lined up for Misa de Gallo. I looked after one song that goes with a solo performance in the middle of the communion. I was once asked to sing it solo and I couldn't explain how terrified I was - how my hands shook and my knees trembled. But realizing I was singing for the Lord and not for the people had given me the confidence I needed to pull off a good singing performance.
Here's the trivia - People believed that when we completed the Misa de Gallo and made a wish - said a prayer, it would be answered - some in delays, some in redirection, some were not in the exact package - but surely what's best for us.
So, I keep wishing. I keep hoping. I keep praying. From 2006 until 2023, for a total of 17 consecutive years, I HAVE COMPLETED the Misa de Gallo - without skipping one, no matter what situation I was in, where I was, and what I went through.
Misa de Gallo 2023
You might ask what were my prayers which were granted. To tell you, there are a lot to mention. From the chances I get waking up every morning, to my little accomplishments, to the stable job, to the safety and health of the people I love, and to a peaceful and happy heart - these are some of the things I could vividly enumerate of how I was bombarded with grace and blessings. And in return, I keep honing myself to be a blessing to everyone I meet along the way.
This is all for today's blog. Thank you for supporting. Be safe. Until the netswriting.
