The Deacon's Bench
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.
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