Christmas Eve

Tonight my family and I went to Christmas Eve mass and it was very nice.

It was very crowded, as expected, but I only saw one or two awkward receivings of the Eucharist and unacceptably short skirts. And we got a nice second row seat.

No, it isn't the most reverent mass. It's hard to be extremely reverent when you've got family talking and babies crying and hundreds of people packed into a not humongous space.
But it was nice.

The music at my parish is fantastic, and all of the classic Christmas hyms were beautiful and really helped set the mood.

Sometimes I get self conscious being too reverent around my family or just around the people at my parish who have known me all my life (because neither are super into their faith. But probably more faithful than average). But tonight I was so full of peace, none of that mattered. It was just me and the baby Jesus and there was nothing I could do but adore Him with all that I have.

Because there were so many people, it took quite a while for everyone to receive communion (but nothing near how long it took at my Confirmation mass). I didn't mind, it gave me a nice long chance to be with the Lord. Unfortunately, this isn't something I get to do all that often because I can't drive myself to Adoration.

I've always wanted to go to a midnight Christmas mass at a monastery near-ish to my house. There's something about Christmas Eve masses that happen earlier in the day that make it feel like Christmas hasn't come yet. I know it's silly, because Jesus wasn't actually born in December at all, but still.
That in mind, lately I've been trying to be present in each moment and make the best of things, so that's what I did.

It was all so simple, so sweet. Just sitting at the foot of the altar, which was transformed into a manger before my eyes. Our Blessed Mother showed be the awe and joy of our Savior's birth as she placed Him in my arms.
Our imaginations are some of our greatest tools, ones that God gave us for a reason, and we should use them while we are able to.

So silent, quiet, and peacefully our Lord came into my heart tonight. And He was met with open arms and the pure joy of a child doing her best to receive Him who comes to her as a child.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

May you have the most blessed and joyful Christmas Day ever!!!

Love,
A Catholic Teen