Santa's Little Elves ... 9 days to go

Santa's Little Elf with paintbrushes for his hands and feet!

Another cutie on our tree!!!

***

It's Dec 16,  4:45 in the morning.  I can hear the roosters crowing

and people in our subdivision are walking towards the 

multipurpose hall to hear Mass, the first of 9 novena masses,

called Simbang Gabi.  

***

When we first moved to our village, I would hear Mass daily, 

but I never finished the entire nine-day novena masses.

Back then, the masses were held inside the homeowner's

garage or main living room.  After the mass,

the neighbors shared a simple breakfast of

coffee, pandesal, puto, spanish bread or whatever

the neighbors prepared on their assigned morning.

It was really fun. We get to visit nine homes and meet 

the neighbors.  Our subdivision is small, with

only about 250 households.  It felt like it was really

the best season of all.  The cool morning breeze, 

singing  Christmas carols during mass, 

the smell of brewed coffee and the delicious

breads / kakanin, really made me feel

the spirit of Christmas.

***

These days, the masses are held at the multipurpose hall.

They still have breakfast after the Simbang Gabi.

But it doesn't feel the same anymore.

People are indifferent, 'cold' , aloof.

O well... times have changed.

***

9 days to go before Christmas Day!

/ chicsanders 2013