Advent traditions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cojuanco
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cojuanco

Guest
I’m a Filipino, and as part of the traditions of preparing for the coming of Our Lord, we have what is known as Simbang Gabi, or Misa de Gallo. This is a novena of Masses before Christmas Day, usually held at sunrise. Afterwards, typically traditional breakfast foods are served by either street vendors (in the Old Country) or the women (sometimes men) of the parish (in the diaspora communities). There is a legend that those who attend all nine days will have their wishes, if consisted with God’s will, granted (some take it to superstitious lengths unfortunately). Also, after Midnight Mass, there is a big feast, typically involving lechon, known as noche buena.

What’s your traditional customs?
 
In my country we also have the concept of misa De gallo 👍 and is very similar though hours is held at 11 pm. We also do the advent wreath and celebrate the immaculate conception (in fact Christmas does not start until after the 8th because the week before we celebrate the immaculate conception) and the feast of the three kings.
 
Advent wreath, Christmas cookies, etc.

It’s kinda a mix of German, Scandinavian (esp. Swedish), and American traditions.
 
From England.

The first Sunday of Advent is also called Stir up Sunday. The traditional opening prayer (or Collect) of the Mass prays: “Stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come.” We begin our Advent journey to Christ’s birthday, and the Church joins in its prayer begging Christ to come, to hurry and do not delay.

With this request to God to “stir up” His might, this day was traditionally called Stir-Up Sunday and became the day when the Christmas cake or pudding was made. The pudding is only partly cooked. Once cool, both are wrapped up in tin foil and regularly “fed” by brushing with brandy, whiskey or another alcohol. A few days before Christmas, we brush the cake with jam or marmalade, cover it with a layer of marzipan and then with Royal Icing. One Christmas day we finish cooking the Christmas pudding, turn it out on a plate, pour warm brandy on it and set fire to it. When the flames die down, we eat it.
 
There is a new book for kids called Bambinelli Sunday: A Christmas Blessing
by Amy Welborn which I have heard great things about and it is about the Third Sunday in Advent in Rome, I hope this becomes a tradition at local Parishes in the US!
 
Here is a prayer that is traditionally recited 15 fifteen times a day from November 30 (feast of Saint Andrew) to December 25 (Christmas)

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
 
marymary1975 said:
In my country we also have the concept of misa De gallo 👍 and is very similar though hours is held at 11 pm. We also do the advent wreath and celebrate the immaculate conception (in fact Christmas does not start until after the 8th because the week before we celebrate the immaculate conception) and the feast of the three kings.
Click to expand...
I think the misa de gallo is part of the legacy of Spanish rule. To be more precise, with us traditionally it is held around the time the cock crows. During the Dictatorship, because of the curfew it was held closer to 7am. When democracy returned Simbang Gabi was held again at the traditional time. The traditional time was so that farmers and fishermen and laborers could hear Mass on a weekday before they had to go to work, which was exceedingly early in the morning.
 
I think in some towns in the Philippines (like my hometown), nearer to Christmas (December 24 to be more precise) do something called the ‘Panunuluyan’ which is a procession that re-enacts Our Lady and S. Joseph’s search for a place to stay.
 
Oh we also do that is called Posadas! Every parish re enact st Joseph and Mary looking for posada or a place to stay and they go door to door asking all the neighbors. The do prayings songs offer food and then go to the next house. I really miss the Posada’s.
 
Cojuanco said:
I think the misa de gallo is part of the legacy of Spanish rule. To be more precise, with us traditionally it is held around the time the cock crows. During the Dictatorship, because of the curfew it was held closer to 7am. When democracy returned Simbang Gabi was held again at the traditional time. The traditional time was so that farmers and fishermen and laborers could hear Mass on a weekday before they had to go to work, which was exceedingly early in the morning.
Click to expand...
👍
 
tbtcom1213 said:
Here is a prayer that is traditionally recited 15 fifteen times a day from November 30 (feast of Saint Andrew) to December 25 (Christmas)

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
Click to expand...
I love this!!!
 
KP3243,
Thanks, I recently found this prayer, too. I’m planning on trying to start this tomorrow. 15 times a day is going to be a tough one. 🙂
 
Oh I know I struggle with anything that takes a a long time too! I will be saying this prayer tomorrow too have a great Advent!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top