Firstly, I want to say "I'm sorry" for any confusion or possible negative feelings when I announced a change in our Christmas Mass schedule. I had been pondering and prayinbg about the schedule of Masses for Christmas, and finally had peace with the decision to have a Midnight Mass as we have been doing for Christmas at Sacred Heart Church almost every year since I came here. I like to say that in the long history of the Catholic Church, there are some traditions with a little "t" that have changed over the years, while being true to the essence for what is being taught or done. There are also big "T" (Traditions) that have been constant throughout most, if not all, of the Church's long history. I believe one of those is Midnight Mass for Christmas. I do realize that, for various reasons, people, some of whom used to go to Midnight Mass, no longer do so and choose one of the other Christmas Masses. I'm glad we are able to offer other times for "Christmas Mass," (Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m. and Christmas Day at 10:00 a.m.) Remember - no 8:00 a.m. Mass on that Sunday (Christmas Day) only.
At least a few of our Christmas hymns like "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" and "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming" seem to point tot the birth of Christ as happening around Midnight, though honestly, there is no historical evidence to indicate at what time of the day or night the Christ Child was born. Jesus Himself told the story of the ten foolish and ten wise Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) which speaks of a cry "Behold the Bridegroom is Coming" (verse 6) as happening at midnight. It concludes by encouraging vigilant waiting for the Son of Man to come. The reference "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" in Isaiah 9:1-6, which is the first reading at the Midnight Mass, has great power when it is proclaimed with the darkness outside surrounding the light of the Church.
I am the first to admit that I need to take a long nap in order to be at my best for Midnight Mass, but this is something I did (or tried to do) when I was younger and my parents let me go to Midnight Mass, and I hope some of you will consider joining in this "Tradition" this year at Sacred Heart Church. And whether you are coming to the Midnight Mass here or wherever you will be for Christmas, consider informing your "non-Catholic" friends about our Midnight Mass for Christmas. Over the years I have seen and welcomed these Christians into our worship of the Lord at this special Mass and plan to do so here as well. There will be special music sung by our combined choirs and one guest vocalist, Amy Lefler-Williams, at 11:30 p.m. (before Midnight Mass and 3:30 p.m. before Christmas Eve Mass. Please come early to experience the beautiful music that will be played and sung (and join in as you wish).
At least a few of our Christmas hymns like "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" and "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming" seem to point tot the birth of Christ as happening around Midnight, though honestly, there is no historical evidence to indicate at what time of the day or night the Christ Child was born. Jesus Himself told the story of the ten foolish and ten wise Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) which speaks of a cry "Behold the Bridegroom is Coming" (verse 6) as happening at midnight. It concludes by encouraging vigilant waiting for the Son of Man to come. The reference "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" in Isaiah 9:1-6, which is the first reading at the Midnight Mass, has great power when it is proclaimed with the darkness outside surrounding the light of the Church.
I am the first to admit that I need to take a long nap in order to be at my best for Midnight Mass, but this is something I did (or tried to do) when I was younger and my parents let me go to Midnight Mass, and I hope some of you will consider joining in this "Tradition" this year at Sacred Heart Church. And whether you are coming to the Midnight Mass here or wherever you will be for Christmas, consider informing your "non-Catholic" friends about our Midnight Mass for Christmas. Over the years I have seen and welcomed these Christians into our worship of the Lord at this special Mass and plan to do so here as well. There will be special music sung by our combined choirs and one guest vocalist, Amy Lefler-Williams, at 11:30 p.m. (before Midnight Mass and 3:30 p.m. before Christmas Eve Mass. Please come early to experience the beautiful music that will be played and sung (and join in as you wish).