Quote from: 2Vermont

Thanks, but unfortunately missed it.  Really had a tough time with the not going to mass this year.

I share your sadness, 2Vermont.  And thank you for your post.  It helps us to know that others wish they could have had what we perhaps are taking for granted.  I was fortunate to have a nice Mass with some nice Christmas carols, including Adeste Fideles and Silent Night, with the beautiful Christmas manger scene which our diligent volunteers put up before Mass, only to be taken down immediately afterwards because we have Mass in a rented hall.  The Star of Bethlehem shines bright before, during and after Mass, but gets unplugged and removed from the wall before the last person leaves.  We basically build a church every week, and have no stained glass windows nor stations of the Cross.  But we have Christmas just the same.  Our Lord came in poverty and we commemorate His Glory in like poverty.

You and we can join hands to offer this penance of making do without what we would like to have this blessed Christmas day, just as Our Lord made do without a home to call his own when He stepped down from His heavenly throne to endure the atonement for our sins in this valley of tears, according to His Father's will.  

I spent some time in the afternoon and evening with a friend who couldn't get to Mass for Christmas, just as he couldn't get to All Saint's Day Mass or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, or two other Sundays recently, due to the oppressive pressures of life.  And there on the History Channel was "The Bible" which culminates with the Crucifixion of Our Lord, which they broadcast on Christmas day.  I don't think I've seen that happen before, have you?  Have you ever heard of a big production of Our Lord's Passion aired on Christmas day, prime time?  I think this may be a first.


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