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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Midnight Mass |
| 2006-12-25 |
| Just something I wrote a few years back when I was in a poetical mood. I post it here as a Christmas card of sorts. Hope it's not too mushy. If you're going to Midnight Mass, better get there early, 'cause it'll be crowded. At midnight, they cue the bell tower and kick in the full pomp and majesty of the Catholic church: incense, liturgical dancers, and singing in Latin . . . Adeste fidelis Laeti triumphantes Venite, venite in Bethlehem Natum videte regem angelorum Venite adoremus Venite adoremus Venite adoremus Dominum. . . . The readings for Midnight Mass are among the most moving in the Bible: Isaiah chapter nine . . . The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. . . . For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. . . . . . . and Luke’s narrative of the first Christmas . . . And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. . . . The recessional will be the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. They’re predicting snow tonight, so it will likely be cloudy; but if it’s clear, we’ll walk out into the night to the glories of the winter sky: Sirius, Orion and its great nebula, Aldebran, the Pleadies, the planets Jupiter and Saturn. I might even get out the telescope before we go to bed . . . When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, what is man that thou art mindful of him? |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #3 Lovely, Mike. Thank you> :-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-12-25 18:20 |
| #2 Nice work, Mike. Our celebrant today was a great priest from Uganda. He delivered a wonderful homily. Now, about those liturgical dancers ... |
| Posted by: mrp 2006-12-25 10:57 |
| #1 Non mushy in the slightest, Mike. Tonight, my wife and I went to Christmas Eve service at the local Methodist Church; first time in what now seems like forever I must admit. And it felt good. (as I write this it is not yet the 25th out here in WA) Yes the hymms and the story was familiar, but it was more than that. Could it be that I just realized that I have been missing something for many years? I will be chewing on that for the next few days.... |
| Posted by: USN, ret. 2006-12-25 01:24 |