Christmas 2012

Having once again survived Advent and the beginning of the Christmas season, Mary decided to post something fairly normal on her blog. :)

It was unfortunately necessary for the family to split up this year; Husband and three children went to his mom's house in order to take her to Christmas eve Mass. Eldest Daughter--registrational assistant, page turner, and merry-maker--stayed with me to assist at the Christmas eve services at The Job.

After playing for the first service, Daughter and I got a bite to eat then checked in at our hotel, where we received a coupon for the restaurant where we had just eaten.  (#Fail) We returned to the church where everything happened pretty much as it ought.  (Well, except for all the mistakes on that postlude. Really it's amazing it went as well as it did, since this brain-dead-after-11p.m.-organist was playing it at about 12:45 a.m.)  The choir members gave me lovely card with a very generous gift inside.  Several of them told me, with tears in their eyes, how much they appreciate me.  This is how you can tell it's a non-Catholic church. /sarcasm

Daughter and I arrived safely at the hotel, and attempted to sleep about an hour later.  Daughter managed to do so, but I got to listen to the 3 a.m. phone conversation on the other side of my wall.  No, he wasn't being loud; the walls were just that thin.

Daughter and I attended the 10 a.m. Mass at the local beautiful and reliably (for the most part) Catholic church. Mass was very nice; the priest delivered the best short-and-sweet Christmas sermon I'd ever heard.  I'd expected the Mass to last 1 1/2 hours, but it was over in 50 minutes.  The lowlight of the experience was that a little boy sitting in front of me, who was pushed into the communion line by his dad and who was obviously unchurched, received a host and had no idea what to do with it.  He held it cupped in his hands and took it back to the pew (yes, I was watching.)  When I returned to my seat, I leaned forward and told him he must consume it immediately or give it back to the priest. His dad told him to eat it, and the boy was very displeased.  Finally after much effort, the host was consumed.  I'm not convinced I did the right thing, but the boy was not to blame; his father was.  And I surely didn't want the host pocketed and taken home.

After stopping and saying hello to my parents, we continued on to the in-law's house where we enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner with extended family.  This was the first Christmas without my beloved father-in-law, and that made the whole experience more poignant.  He was sorely missed.

Husband announced that the previous weather watch had turned into a Winter Storm Warning, which put Mary on alert.  I could not stay for an extended time, and I could not return home in the middle of a storm driving a tiny car with tiny tires. The decision was made to return home that evening. So Daughter and I retrieved our bags and started the drive back. I was so tired, not having slept the night before, but we arrived home safely nearly three hours later, just in time for the Doctor Who Christmas Special.

Winter precipitation at home was minimal, but the rest of the family got enough snow to enjoy some Extreme Sledding.

And now, as in every year, we must recover from the Christmas flu. The vacation plans that I made will have to wait.

Hodie Christus Natus Est!

O magnum mysteriumet admirabile sacramentum,ut animalia viderent Dominum natumjacentem in praesepio.

O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt

portare Dominum Jesum Christum.

Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum.

O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt

portare Dominum Jesum Christum.

Alleluia!

O great mystery
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord
lying in a manger!

O blessed is the Virgin, whose womb

was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.

Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with you.

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb

was worthy to bear Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

Anima Christi

This is my favorite prayer, which perfectly expresses my gratitude for receiving Our Lord's Body and Blood in Holy Communion and my awe at the Gift that has been given to us as Life for our souls.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.

Thank you, Jesus.