Christmas in Queens

Outside our church in Forest Hills last night:

Midnight Mass was full of wonder and joy. A church built for 900 at midnight had about 1200. Many unfamiliar faces. A surprising number of children.

It began at midnight, sharp. Processional: “Once, in Royal David’s City.” Segue into “O Come All Ye Faithful,” complete with trumpet, as a priest laid the baby Jesus in the manger. 50 altar servers (maybe more?). Red cassocks. Torches. Candles. Incense. Three priests. One deacon.

Recessional: “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by “Joy to the World.”

It concluded about 1:30.

Exhaustion.

Merry Christmas. I’m going back to bed.