Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I attended a beautiful midnight Mass last night, and a Traditional Latin Mass, at that! It was awesome to see so many new faces. I think we had around 400!

I also had a great conversation with my brother-in-law, who is dating a Catholic. My husband's family attended the Lutheran church when they were growing up, but my brother-in-law really loves Latin and the more traditional approach to church. I suspect I may see him some Sunday in 2010 at my own parish. I would be thrilled. He has a beautiful tenor and would make a great addition to our choir. He was asking questions about our choir, so you never know.

I don't know what order of nuns these would be, but we have a small group of them visiting our TLM lately. They wear a simple long white veil, and (I think) have something cinched around their waist, almost like a Franciscan. They sat behind me during Christmas Mass and I felt blessed. There is a sweet spirit about each one of them.

I have fond memories of midnight Masses. As a child, we used to visit my Italian grandmother and great-grandmother in downtown Cincinnati. We'd walk a few blocks to Old St. Mary's to attend midnight Mass, they walk back afterward where my Italian grandmothers would feed us again a very early breakfast! Very fond memories. We wouldn't get home usually until around 4 or 5:00 AM, but then we could sleep in and then wake up a little before noon to open up our presents. How I cherish those memories, now!

What are some of your favorite Christmas memories? Any of the midnight Mass? I got home at 2:00 AM last night but it was worth it. I think I just instituted a new tradition within my own life. I like thinking about the birth of our Lord and Savior while it's dark outside. :-)