Midnight Mass

One of the traditions of the catholic religion and possibly other religious factions is a midnight mass service.  The church that I have been going to has theirs at 11, but the theme and message would still be the same. I did witness a new tradition tonight. The father has a child from the congregation place a baby Jesus in the manger of the nativity scene to announce or commemorate the official day of christmas. I did really like the sermon given today. The message was that the best gift you can give someone you love is a hug and to let them know you love them. You never know when you will have your last holiday with your loved ones so letting your feelings be known is important. The church was as full as I have ever seen it also. The CNE christians did show up tonight. I shouldn't make too much fun though, I was a CNE guy for a while myself.

I do wonder if I have estranged myself by this tonight. The first midnight mass I went to was at arnheim, and when I was in high school. The past couple of years we have been going to Saint Thomas More for midnight services. My grandmother goes to that church and is active in that community. Part of the reason we would go was to see her. My sister was married in that church by our local pastor. I told my family that I was going to hillsboro tonight. I am not making an appearance for my grandmother anymore. I regularly go to mass regardless of her knowledge. She even told me this spring that I am the most religous of her grandkids and gave me my grandfathers old rosary. I can pick where I want to go and how I want to worship. I have chosen a church near to me and plan on staying with it. The only way I am going to change that is for marriage or love. I don't really plan on attending any other churches for convenience.

times typed "oftern"-0