Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
At some point, I think almost everyone has had the experience of going to a 4PM Christmas Eve Mass. Whether it was when we were young, or when we had young ones, or we needed to find an early Mass due to other family commitments, almost all have done that early Mass. And if not, allow me to describe it briefly.
Imagine a huge crowd of people showing up for Mass. Some are super familiar with things while others feel a bit out of sorts. Because it gets so crowded, a lot of people arrive early, some more than an hour ahead of time. There are those that try and save seats for others, by spreading out themselves and coats. There are little kids galore. And as the main space in the church gets fuller and fuller, a sense of frustration and anxiousness sets in as families begin to scramble to find a seat. By the time the Mass actually starts, there’s a sea of humanity; in the pews, and up in the choir loft, in the gathering space, and even up in McCusker Hall. That’s what it looks like at St. Charles, but I assure you, in all the parishes I’ve been in, it’s a nearly universal story.
Unfortunately, I feel like those that attend the 4PM Christmas Eve Mass aren’t getting the best experience of what the Mass is. It’s noisy, stuffy, crowded, and most people are in a rush getting there and leaving. That’s not exactly ideal conditions for a prayerful experience. But it is so appropriate for Christmas.
When we consider what we celebrate at Christmas, namely the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, we encounter many conditions that were far from ideal. Joseph is traveling with his pregnant wife Mary when she goes into labor, away from home and in a strange place. The place they had intended to stay was overcrowded and unavailable, and the only refuge they find is in the feeding area for the animals of the inn. Soon after Jesus is born, a bunch of strange men show up in the form of shepherds and Mary and Joseph are forced to entertain strangers in what should be the most private of moments. It’s in the midst of all this chaos and imperfection that God chose to take on our humanity. It’s in this mess, that Jesus is born.
Friends, I hope we all have a wonderful and beautiful celebration of Christmas this year. I pray that everything goes smoothly for our liturgies and for your family gatherings. But on the off chance that something goes amiss, that something is less than ideal, perhaps it’s an opportunity to be reminded of God’s love in the Christmas celebration. Our Blessed Lord chose to enter into the life of humanity in difficult circumstances, to show us the power of His love for us. May we rejoice in knowing the depths of that same love this Christmas!
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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