The last in a nine-day series of Masses preceding Christmas, known as Misa de Gallo, was celebrated before sunrise today in various Roman Catholic churches across O'ahu. The daily Masses, often followed by lavish breakfasts and fellowship, draw hundreds of Filipino parishioners and others.

Misa de Gallo, or Mass of the Rooster, is thought to have been introduced to Catholics in the Philippines during the 17th century by missionaries from Spain, where the tradition is believed to have started. In the Philippines, the annual novena traditionally took place during pre-dawn hours so that fishermen, farmers and other laborers who needed to start work shortly after dawn could attend. For those with little money to offer the church, the sacrifice of rising before the cock crows for Mass was held out as a Christmas offering.

These days, parishioners sometimes pledge to take part in the novena of nine consecutive days with hopes that more blessings will come their way because of their sacrificial offering. For some, the burden that comes with setting an alarm clock for 4 a.m. is eased by potluck breakfasts featuring cultural delicacies, such as puto and bibingka.

In the Filipino tradition, the Misa de Gallo novena ends with the celebration of Noche Buena: Christmas Eve midnight Mass, followed by a family feast. Festive "parols," or star-shaped lanterns used as decorations are reminiscent of candle-lit lanterns early-risers of centuries past carried in the dark while making their way to Misa de Gallo.

In the Philippines, the faithful celebrate a long Christmas season. As early as September, holiday ornaments deck homes and festive music plays on the radio and in stores. In addition to attending Mass, feasting and gift-giving, some Filipino groups stage "Panunuluyan," a re-enactment of the Biblical story about the journey to Bethlehem. Others belt out tunes such as "Inton Aldan Ti Paskua," which translates roughly as "Christmas is Coming Soon" as carolers, or "cumbancheros."

The traditional season wraps up Jan. 6 with Three Kings' Day, also known as the Epiphany, which commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. In the Filipino community, the day is often celebrated with a final round of gift-giving.