Already … but not yet! As Christians we live in this period where Christ has already come, but as we celebrate liturgically it has not arrived yet. This is especially this time of year, when we are in the season of Advent, that we approach the season of Christmas. The world around us typically skips right over the season of preparation and waiting and dives into the season of Christmas. Unfortunately, this leads to a seasonal burnout in which by Christmas day or the day after many have already started taking down Christmas lights, trees, and all their decorations. As Catholics we celebrate until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or in older traditions all the way until Candlemass, February 2.
We see this in our Christmas celebrations. Many want to go to the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass in order to begin their celebration of Christmas, however Christmas doesn’t begin until midnight Christmas day. This is why Midnight Mass was always a big event and people remember it as a core memory, even if they are over tired. The traditional time of the birth of Jesus is midnight. The first fruits of the new day. The point that night is darkest and the new day begins signifying the Light of Christ entering the world at the darkest of hours.
The Roman Missal (the big red book from which we find all the prayers of Mass) offers 4 Masses for Christmas the Vigil Mass and the three traditional Masses of Christmas Day – Mass during the Night, Mass at Dawn, and Mass during the Day. Each Mass has its own set of antiphons, prayers, and readings recognizing the different aspects of the Christmas story. The Vigil Mass is a joyful anticipation, Jesus is not born yet and the prayers and readings tell us that by what they say, or don’t say. We are still moving out of Advent and into Christmas.
The Mass at Night is more known as Midnight Mass where the birth of Jesus of proclaimed. The Mass at Dawn shows us the parallel of Jesus and the dawning sun. As the sun rises and illuminates the world, Jesus’ birth brings illumination to our thoughts and actions. The Mass during the Day reminds us that our minds are now illuminated by the Light of Christ, and our focus shifts to the mystery of the Incarnation and to Divine Generation. The Mass schedule in the parish may not be as you are used to having it. Each of us priests likes to offer each of these Masses in order to celebrate the fullness of the Christmas season. Yes, the Christmas season begins on Christmas Day. As Catholics we ought to celebrate for the whole season and not just the day. We should spend Advent preparing our soul so that we can celebrate the season more fully and not become burnt out by the celebrations that occur leading up to Christmas.
I urge you to read the antiphons, prayers, and readings for each of the Christmas Masses so that you can get the whole story. Our liturgies are meant to give glory to God for what He has done for us. Let us celebrate whole heartedly this Christmas season. Yes Jesus has already been born in history but let us celebrate
