A post is coming to sum up the entire Christmas experience. But until then, I thought you should have a glimpse into our morning. It may get a tad deep spiritually, but TRUST me…read to the end, you won’t regret the laugh you will have at my expense.
We woke up at about 7:20 after only going to bed at about 3 a.m. We figured we’d high tail it out to church, but made sure to capture Li’l Foot discover the gold mine beneath the Christmas tree. We let her open one and after giving her the gift, I realized it wasn’tt he best one to choose being that it was one of those magnetic letter toys that go on the refrigerator. I hadn’t been quick enough to think of a toy that didn’t make noise that would be ok for her to attach to and take to church. I was able to divert her attention to a My Little POny stocking stuffer and she was happy taking that to church.
We arrived at church on what was a beautiful sun filled morning. LFD dropped us off in front and went to go park the car. I chose to sit in the back pew because it’s just easier to manage Li’l Foot these days in the back where she can run around if she needs to. (I’m not a fan of the “wailing room” but that’s a story for another time.)
I noticed as we sat down that the priest was reading the bulletin announcements at the front of the church before proceeding to enter into the Mass. He was reading by candlelight. Throughout the Mass, the lights were left off. I know that there are candlelight vigils and stuff so I didn’t think too much of it. It was just that throughout the Mass I DID start to think about it. In fact I started to overanalyze it. As I sat there in the back pew of the church I felt the warmth of the sun light hitting my back and felt a warm glow around me. It was…simple. It was…satisfying. It was…spiritual. I began to believe that the symbolism of the church leaving the lights off in the church for Christmas Mass was a symbol of the “Light of the World” being born on Christmas day and that he was all we needed in our lives. “Lights” as in bulbs, per se were not necessary, because we had the sonlight to light our way. I was kind of basking in the depth of my thinking throughout Mass.
We went home, I felt warm inside, finally feeling the spirit of Christmas. This season has just been rough for me for reasons I just can’t get into right now. I love Christmas, it’s my favorite holiday, this year though was been less than stellar. But after our Mass by candlelight I felt the whole spirit of Christmas emerge in me. We went home, made breakfast, waited for my mom to arrive and then opened presents and drank some nog.
We were on a schedule being that we had to be at the hospital to visit my godmother by about noon. On the way down in the car, I worked up the courage to admit I didn’t know everything there is to know about my faith. I turned to my mom in the backseat and the following conversation took place…
Me: Mom, what’s the significance of the lights not being on at Christmas Mass?
Mom: (a brief puzzled look before being interrupted by LFD)
LFD: The power was out!
Hysterical laughter ensued! For. minutes. on. end. I even laughed at myself and this undeniable blonde moment to end all blonde moments. Apparently, according to LFD the priest announced that the power was out, which I did not hear at all.
I think I’ll just keep believing that there was symbolism behind the lights being out. I like my reason better. If nothing else, it put the spirit of Christmas in my heart which is what I needed.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
Tell me, what did you get for Christmas?
LOL – that’s too funny – I’m sure I would have thought the same thing!
HYSTERICAL! (.. and yet I thought I – seemingly everyone’s ‘token Jew’ – was gonna learn something knew about ‘the other religion and its practices’ … LOL)
So sad we didn’t get to see you guys during our chaotic (aka stress-filled) visit … topped with sicknesses. MUCH LOVE to ALL.
I’m going to say you were onto something here. In fact, you were smarter than everyone else by figuring it out. That was no accidental power outage but *you* caught the subtle message He was trying to send.
That? Is GREAT!! I laughed, out loud, reading this.
What did I get for Christmas? Bling. A whole lotta bling!!
That’s a good one, but still very sweet. If anything it was like that for a reason no matter “what” the specific reason was. Now, lights are out during Easter service if I remember correctly. That little freaky moment when the pastor hits the bible (or table?) and you are to relive the moment Jesus went through.