Thousands of faithful gathered in various churches across the country on Christmas Day to express gratitude and reflect on the true meaning of the season—thanksgiving and forgiveness.

Among them was 27-year-old Ellen Navarro, who attended Mass at the Minor Basilica of St. Dominic early on Christmas morning.

Navarro, a new mother, shared her reason for gratitude this year.

“Ipinagpapasalamat ko this Christmas ‘yung nagkaroon ako ng baby,” she said, referring to her five-month-old child, whom she considers her greatest blessing.

The Catholic Church said thanksgiving and forgiveness are the central themes of the holiday.

Rev. Fr. Primo Aquino, Pastor's Assistant at the Minor Basilica of St. Dominic, highlighted the significance of Christmas in his message.

“We do not make Christmas, it is actually God making Christmas for us. Kaya ang message ng Diyos na nagkatawang-tao ay upang siya ay maging makatotohanan sa kanyang binitawang pangako... at ang panibagong panimula ay pwedeng mangyari kung siya ay kasama," he said.

In Manaoag, the Minor Basilica of the Most Holy Rosary was filled with devotees, with some participating in the thanksgiving Mass from outside due to the crowd.

“Mailayo tayo sa sakit, disgrasya, sa mga lahat ng mahal natin sa buhay, sana maging mapayapa,” Sammy Tulioc, a devotee, said.

At St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas led the Christmas Mass.

In his homily, he reminded the faithful of God’s constant presence in every joy and struggle.

“The Lord comes to us, and whispers to us—hindi ka nag-iisa, naririto ako. Huwag kang matakot, huwag kang mangamba, naririto ako,” the Archbishop said.

Even in Pampanga, where heavy rain poured, Kapampangan devotees braved the weather to attend the last day of Simbang Gabi and other Christmas services.