Simbang Gabi : Filipino Christmas Tradition

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"Simbang Gabi" or Mass at Dawn, is a nine-day Novena to prepare for the birth of Christ. Since the Mass is celebrated when it is still dark, Simbang Gabi can also mean Mass at Night.  a Filipino Christmas tradition, it is is a series of nine dawn masses, the mass starts as early as 4:00 a.m. It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December, which is the midnight mass.

The Nativity Scene or "Belen" is displayed in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It shows Baby Jesus in a manger with Mother Mary and St. Joseph. There are shepherds and farm animals. A complete scenario of the Belen includes the three wise men carrying their gifts to Infant Jesus and the star of Bethlehem that guided them in their journey.

The Roman Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithfuls to the Simbang Gabi mass. The church bells start ringing as early as three o' clock waking people up so they can get ready for the four o'clock dawn mass.

Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is the most important religious significance for those who attend Simbang Gabi, to be nourished with faith.

It is the perfect time to ponder how this truth influences our thoughts, actions and spiritual lives.

The Simbang Gabi is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord,as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn masses, wishes will be granted.

10 Ways to Love According to the Bible

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Listen without interrupting  

(Proverb 18)

He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame

Speak without accusing.

(James 1:19)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger

Give without sparing.

(Proverb 21:26)

All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

Pray without ceasing.

(Colossians 1:9)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

Answer without arguing 

(Proverb 17:1)

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Share without pretending

(Ephesians 4:15)

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Enjoy without complaint.

(Philippians 2:14)

Do everything without grumbling or arguing

Trust without wavering.

(Corinthians 13:7)

it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

 Forgive without punishing.

(Colossians 3:13)

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Promise without forgetting

(Proverbs 13:12)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life

A Purposeful Morning

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When I woke up this morning lying in bed, 

I was asking myself , what are some of the secrets of happiness in life?

I found the answer right there, in my very room. 

The fan said                 -        Be cool

The roof said                -       Aim high

The window said          -       See the world

The clock said               -       Every minute is precious

The mirror said             -       Reflect before you act

The calendar said         -       Be up-to-date

The door said                -      Push hard for your goals

And not to forget . . . . 

The carpet said             -          Kneel down and Pray.

Carry a Heart that Never Hates.

Carry a Smile that Never Fades.

Carry a Touch that Never Hurts.

We Live, Laugh, Love .

That's a happy purposeful day ! 

PRAYER FOR PEACE for UN International Day of Peace

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God bless your day whatever your mood maybe.....
May the angels guide you and protect you from harm

If you are travelling, may you find the road
and arrive at your destination safely.
If troubles comes along the way,
may it turn into blessings favorable to all.

May you meet new friends and may the old ones stay.

May the love of our Divine Creator fill your emptiness
and may you feel it in the vastness of the universe.

If you get so tired today,
may you find time to look up the sky,
feel the air, recharge and rejuvenate

And in the all the things you did today,
may your faith increase.

May you be inspired by the diversity of people's personalities
and be grateful that you were granted the chance to lead them

And at the end of the day tonight, as you rest,
may you be thankful for all the blessings that this day had
and pray to forgive those who offended you.
Amen.

Never borrow from the future

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An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Pray 

2. Go to bed on time. 

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others. 

6. Simplify and unclutter your life. 

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) 

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together. 

10. Take one day at a time. 

11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. 

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. 

17. Get enough rest 

18. Eat right. 

19 Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life. 

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone. 

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray. 

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. 

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus ' 

27. Laugh. 

28. Laugh some more! 

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all. 

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). 

32. Sit on your ego 

33 Talk less; listen more. 

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe. 

36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)