Girl Tells Santa She Wants Dad Home From Iraq

A heartwarming true Christmas story to share with loved ones.
Video credit goes to CBS News Channel.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey movie trailer

Nearly 5 years after it was announced that The Hobbit was getting the silver screen treatment, we finally have a sneak preview through this movie trailer.

Simbang Gabi at Johnsonville

We were a bit early...

We are so happy that the Filipino Chaplaincy has scheduled a number of the Simbang Gabi sessions at Johnsonville.  We are at least able to attend 3 of the masses (as I still have work at this time and we would not have been able to make it to the mass if it were elsewhere).

Mary and Joseph must still be on their way to Bethlehem

Simbang Gabi (literal translation: Night Mass) is a devotional nine-day series of masses which starts on 16 December and culminates on 24 December, the Misa de Gallo.  Simbang Gabi is a popular Christmas custom in the Philippines and is held early in the morning (around  5:00).  We usually wax nostalgic when we speak of Simbang Gabi because it is quite a memorable and happy experience.  Imagine waking up very early in the morning (that's the hard part!) and walk / drive the streets when the sun is barely up, then we sing favourite songs and carols in the mass, and when we leave the Church, the sun has just risen and we are ready for some hot pan de sal,  puto bombong, bibingka, and coffee!