One of the liturgical trends that I have noticed in my years of priesthood is the scheduling of Christmas Masses on Christmas Eve (before midnight) and less Masses on Christmas Day. Regrettably I did this in one of my parishes where, at one time, the only Christmas Eve Mass we offered was overflowing with people. I said "regrettably" because I have come to see this trend as practically taking Christ out of Christmas (Day) at our churches and in some people's lives. Most churches have at least one Mass on Christmas Day (which in some places I have served is poorly attended) which means some are celebrating the "religious" aspect of Christmas on Christmas Eve and spending Christmas Day focused exclusively on presents, meals, and family. While I now choose to promote putting Christ first on Christmas Day by encouraging you to Mass on Christmas Day, I hope and pray that those of you who choose to participate in Mass on Christmas Eve will consciously make some time on Christmas Day to celebrate Christ's birth in some tangible and meaningful way.