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Midnight Mass
Just something I wrote a few years back when I was in a poetical mood. I post it here as a Christmas card of sorts. Hope it's not too mushy.If you're going to Midnight Mass, better get there early, 'cause it'll be crowded. At midnight, they cue the bell tower and kick in the full pomp and majesty of the Catholic church: incense, liturgical dancers, and singing in Latin . . . Adeste fidelis Laeti triumphantes Venite, venite in Bethlehem Natum videte regem angelorum Venite adoremus Venite adoremus Venite adoremus Dominum. . . . The readings for Midnight Mass are among the most moving in the Bible: Isaiah chapter nine . . . The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. . . . For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. . . . . . . and Lukes narrative of the first Christmas . . . And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. . . . The recessional will be the Hallelujah Chorus from Handels Messiah. Theyre predicting snow tonight, so it will likely be cloudy; but if its clear, well walk out into the night to the glories of the winter sky: Sirius, Orion and its great nebula, Aldebran, the Pleadies, the planets Jupiter and Saturn. I might even get out the telescope before we go to bed . . . When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, what is man that thou art mindful of him? Posted by: Mike 2006-12-25 |
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