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Christians to usher in Christmas at midnight mass
Christians will, this evening, usher in the festival of the Birth of Jesus Christ by attending Christmas Eve Midnight Masses and Services. The tradition, a long- serving one, is considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and the Western world, where it is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day.
A priest kneels before a Nativity Crib, surrounded by altar boys and girls, praying, during a midnight mass
Roman Catholics and Anglicans traditionally celebrate Midnight Mass, which begins either at or sometime before midnight on Christmas Eve. This ceremony, which is held in churches throughout the world, celebrates the birth of Christ, which is believed to have occurred at night.
However, due to the prevalence of crime in Guyana, Midnight Masses have shifted from the traditional midnight hour, to sometime as early as 22:30 hrs. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Brickdam, Georgetown usually holds this special service at 23:45 hrs. However, the Mass now begins at 23:30hrs.
Methodists celebrate the evening in different ways. Some, in the early evening, come to their church to celebrate Holy Communion with their families. The mood is very solemn, and the only visible light is the Advent Wreath, and the candles upon the Lord’s Table. Others celebrate the evening with services of light, which include singing the song “Silent Night” as a variety of candles (including personal candles) are lit.
One of the popular customs during Midnight Mass, too, is the blessing of the Nativity Crib in which a baby statue is placed, to symbolize the Baby Jesus. Some churches overseas use a fresh newborn baby in their cribs so that a more realistic effect can be had. It was in such a crib, with fairy lights, and other decorations that caught fire several years ago when the Sacred Heart R.C Church was totally destroyed, early Christmas morning, shortly after the Mass in 2004.
Midnight mass worshippers at the All Saints’ Anglican Church
Another feature at Midnight Mass is the ringing of the bells while the ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ is sung. This is the hymn the angels was said to have sung to the shepherds on the night of the first Christmas in Bethlehem.
Other churches offer Christmas Day services on December 25.
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