One of the most well-known Filipino Christmas traditions is Simbang Gabi. What is Simbang Gabi, you may ask? For those who don’t know, Simbang Gabi is a series of nine masses leading up to Christmas attended by Filipino Catholics.
There are two different times of Simbang Gabi that one can go to. The first and most popular is during the early mornings from December 16 to 24. The alternative schedules takes place on the evenings from December 15 to 23.
Why do Filipinos try to attend all of these nine masses? Aside from an act of devotion, many Filipinos believe that by completing Simbang Gabi, the Lord would grant their wish.
However, the Lord isn’t a genie in a lamp. Thus, the Catholic Church doesn’t support this belief.
But if you’re still planning on completing the nine mornings or nights, here are some tips to help you.
Don’t Stay Up Too Late.
This one’s a no-brainer. If you want to be able to power on through Simbang Gabi and still have the strength for your online job, then sleep early.
If you’re having trouble sleeping early, you should consider putting away your gadgets before sleeping. Not only will they keep you up, but the light from your laptop or phone can mess with your sleep-wake cycle.
Yes, it’s hard to do so, especially if you just bought a new video game or enjoy catching up with your friends’ Facebook stories. But if you really want to complete the Simbang Gabi, this is a small price to pay.
But what if you were going to attend the night mass instead? Even then, going to bed early can be beneficial.
Your work day is already hectic enough, and adding this to your schedule can be tiring. So going to bed once you get home allows you to regain your strength for another day of work tomorrow.
Set Multiple Alarms Before Going to Bed.
If you’re a heavy sleeper like me, you’re already familiar with doing this trick to wake up for work. Setting multiple alarms helps you wake up on time for Simbang Gabi.
So, how many alarms should you set? And how often do you have to space them? Honestly, it depends on you.
Personally, I find setting alarms at fifteen-minute intervals one hour before I have to wake up to be helpful. This gives you enough time to do your stretches, “five more minutes,” and any other morning routines.
That said, don’t rely entirely on alarms to wake you up. It is also vital that you make the effort into building the habit of waking up early so your body clock can adjust.
Try Drinking Coffee Before Leaving for Mass.
Besides waking up, another problem with completing the Simbang Gabi is staying awake during the mass. Fortunately, a simple solution for this is everyone’s favorite morning beverage: coffee. Coffee helps you wake up and energizes you so you can stay up.
However, if you are acidic or don’t like coffee, you may want to look for alternatives. These include matcha and black tea, lemon water, and smoothies. And whatever you do, avoid drinking energy drinks to keep yourself awake.
Why? Because they make you feel tired after a certain amount of time, which isn’t good, especially if you’re working a morning shift. In addition, energy drinks can also disturb your sleep pattern if you drink too much of them.
Participate in the Mass and Sit in a Spot With a Lot of Light.
Another way to remain awake during mass is to actively participate in it. This allows your mind to focus on other things besides your fatigue or sleepiness – as well as keeping your body active instead of just sitting idly during mass.
You can also try sitting in a well-lit spot to keep your senses alert and awake.
Reward Yourself Each Time You Finish a Mass.
Speaking from experience, another great way to motivate you to finish the nine midnights or nights of Simbang Gabi is by giving yourself small rewards.
Commonly, these rewards are a well-earned bibingka or puto bumbong from the many sellers outside the church. Or a hearty breakfast or dinner, depending on what mass you attended, at a fast food restaurant with the family if you wish for a heavier feast.
“Ang Pasko ay Sumapit…”
Even though finishing it doesn’t grant any wishes, as some may believe, many Filipinos continue to attend Simbang Gabi. If you’re one of these people, or want to complete your first nine dawn or evening masses, this guide could be of great help to you.
If your wish this Christmas is to finally land an online job, Remote Staff’s here to help you get it. Head to our jobs list to see a wide variety of online jobs at home you can apply to, depending on your skills. Good luck, and Merry Christmas!
