Filler for Electric Company: Christmas Eve Mass
Lauren's P.O.V.:
After we helped Keith find a holiday tradition which was being with friends of course, I knew Christmas Eve Mass was right around the corner for time. Sean and I went back to our apartment with our family to change into something nicer since we are doing afterwards with everyone in the diner for the holidays. Jess did my hair in a ponytail as I laid out my red lace skater dress with a black cardigan over it to keep me warm. My black leggings were there as well. Mainly tights, I should point out along with my black booties. I know I'm wearing boots but they help me out for sure. My necklace was still around my neck as I got changed. Afterwards, I placed makeup on and was ready to go. "Come on Ruiz clan, we don't have all the day before I head over to the Church," I called out to the others. Monsignor Daniel gave us the heads up last week and this about traffic being crazy at Church so I thought to tell them to move things along.
"Coming Lauren," Hector called back. He soon came out wearing a silver gray blazer over a red oxford shirt with a nativity theme tie. Black slacks were on his legs and a nice pair of shoes polished to perfection completed the look in general with his hair brushed nicely. "Nice job Hector," I told my brother. "Thanks. I cleaned up nice did I," he asked looking in the mirror. "You sure did," Jess said coming down wearing an outfit like mine only this time it was dress pants with a red shirt and flats.
"Mom come on, we don't want to be late," Hector called to her as she came down. "Sorry guys, had to do a touchup on my face," she told us. We smiled and soon got our jackets on as we headed to church. It was already night out since it was the end of Daylight Savings but it felt nice for sure. We arrived at the church soon afterwards as Sean came by with his family. "Sean you cleaned up nice," Hector whistled.
"Why thank you," he smiled. Sean wore a light red shirt with tie and indigo trousers and a nice pair of black flats. I couldn't help but smile and agree as we headed into the church. Oh, I forgot to mention. Sean and I made a Christmas card for Father Isaac this year and we planned to give it to him today. The choir was getting set for Mass as Sean and I went inside the church and our families did the same. It looked awesome with the decorations while we walked to the sacristy. The door was open and Sean and I walked in. "Merry Christmas you two," Father Isaac greeted us as he helped set up for Mass. "Merry Christmas Father," Sean and I told him with a smile.
"Thanks again Father for your advice regarding the tradition for Keith. We couldn't figure it out," I told him. "My pleasure Lauren. You guys are his friends and being with friends is important for the holidays," he told us. "Sure is," Sean agreed. "We wanted to give you something," I told Father giving him a Christmas card from the two of us. "Thank you guys," he said smiling. "Our pleasure," I told him.
Sean's P.O.V.:
I went out from behind the sacristy and got the candles on the altar lit as well as the processional candles. At Our Lady of Fatima we have a tradition which during the procession one of the servers has the honor of carrying the baby Jesus statue into Mass. Then after the homily, father blesses the nativity scene and then to the chorus of Hark the Herald Angles Sing, the server places the statue of Jesus in the manger. So guess who has the honor this year?
If you guessed Lauren your right. I got to do it last year but Lauren is excited to do it this year. After I finished with the candles, I went back into the sacristy and saw Lauren holding the statue of the infant cradled in a pillow. "Ready," I asked her with a smile. "You bet," she replied. I could tell she was a little nervous and who wouldn't be? "Shall we," Father asked us ready and vested for Mass.
Lauren's P.O.V.:
"We shall," I told him after the rest of our team arrived. One of the high school servers came cause he was doing in the incense for tonight. Keep in mind this is all at four o'clock. Everyone was outside in the frigid air ready to go as I was holding Jesus in my arms. We prayed for a little bit and got into line for the procession. I was going to be behind the last server with the candle and before the ministers came in. I made my way into that position as everyone was ready. I couldn't help but take a breath. I was nervous.
"Merry Christmas everyone," a voice sounded over the microphone. Mass has begun. "Merry Christmas," everyone replied. "We welcome all of the parishioners here of Our Lady of Fatima and visitors as we celebrate the liturgy for the Nativity of the Lord," the person continued. I looked back to see Father Isaac smiling at me.
"Our celebrant for this Mass is Father Isaac. I ask you now to please stand and open the hymnal to song 23 O come all Ye Faithful," the person said as people shuffled to stand and the organ once again stroke the cord of music that I could here. "Don't blow this Lauren," I told myself. "O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant," I heard the choir sing as well as everyone in the church as I walked in with the other servers in a slow procession.
With the statue in my hands, everyone smiled and looked as I walked into the nave holding him in my arms. I raised my hands a little bit for people to see as I reached the altar. I soon stood off to the side with the others and it felt like a routine for me only this time it's Christmas. Afterwards, I placed the statue on a little stand next to my chair for Mass until the homily. The music stopped afterwards as everyone still stood. "Merry Christmas everyone," Father greeted. "Merry Christmas Father," everyone replied.
"We gather here at the altar today with great joy in celebration of the birth of Jesus our Savior who is the reason for this season, so we begin as we always do," he said as I started to bless myself and everyone followed. The rest of it followed with love and admiration. "Let us pray," Father said as Caroline came forward with the book. "O God of love and joy we rejoice today in the coming of your son. Help us to be good people and allow all those to come to the manger. We ask through Christ our Lord. Amen," he prayed and we answered. I sat down in my chair knowing the next part would be coming up soon.
I like the ones talking about the birth in little ways. They are my favorite. A few more minutes went by in my head, as it continued. We stood up again for the Gospel as the organ stroke beautiful music and Deacon Nick came forward to the podium. "I like everyone to know for tonight's Mass we are reading the narrative of Luke's gospel. The Lord be with you," he told us. We soon responded and with your spirit. After the blessing of the gospel he soon began to read the story. "And Joseph went up from Galilee to Judea," I heard him read as I smiled knowing this was my favorite story ever throughout the holiday season. "The gospel of the Lord," Deacon Nick said after reading. "Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ," we answered back and sat down as Father Isaac soon went up to the podium to begin his homily. "Before I begin tonight's homily I would like to welcome all of our visiting friends, family and neighbors who are here for this Christmas Mass and we couldn't be more grateful to welcome you here to our church with open arms. I also welcome back our college alum who are here, welcome back to all of you and I hope Christmas means the most to you as does today. The Christmas season today officially begins today in the birth of our Savior Jesus, the Light of the World. I always wonder why the world doesn't Christmas as we do because it's not them. But Christmas always bring joy in our hearts yet we do not know how it was for the time of the actual birth for Jesus. The only way is through today's Gospel that explains the journey Mary and Joseph took for this today and how God rewarded them with the birth of Jesus. The Christmas spirit I find now in all of you is born within us with the birth of Jesus and is still reborn today in each of our hearts. During Advent we prepared for his coming now with the angels, shepherds wise men and holy family we adore his coming. SO in this CHristmas season, I ask all of you to let Jesus be born in your heart for he can do amazing things. Merry Christmas," Father told the crowd at Mass as I listened but also thought of my destiny in the back of my mind. Danny called me valiant queen but why? Am I meant to be a queen? I just don't know.
Sean's P.O.V.:
After the homily, Father went back to the main microphone near the chair of the priest and spoke to everyone. "As you some of you here know but to others who don't we have the tradition after the homily to bless the crib and place the infant Jesus in the manger to proclaim he is born, so with that in mind I would like to ask Lauren, one of our altar servers to come forward with the infant Jesus and Sean to please come with me with the blessing book," he said. Lauren got up and received Jesus from the pillow taking it in her arms as she walked down to the altar bowed and soon arrived in front of the crèche. Everyone began to stand as Father came down and I followed. I looked to see Lauren standing by the crib ready to go. "Let us pray," he said as I opened the book and held it above Father's face while the high school server held on the holy water. "Heavenly Father, we come to you on this Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of our Savior your son. We thank you for sending him into our world because you loved the world so much. As we gather around this creche to place your son in the manger, we ask you in his name to bless this scene for you are kind and gracious but as well to help us keep the spirit of Christmas alive and to proclaim he is the Messiah. We ask this through Christ our Lord," Father prayed. "Amen," we replied. I closed the book and soon stepped to the side as he blessed the scene. The organ started the tune of hark the herald and Lauren with the statue knelt in front of the two main statues where the manger was. "Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king," the choir and everyone started to sing as I saw Lauren remove Jesus from the pillow, placing him in her hands like a butterfly and then placed him in the manger. Everyone smiled and soon applauded including Father Isaac as Lauren got up and walked back not before stroking the cheek of the infant of course. The rest of it went by in a blur almost a good blur to be exact. It was off now for Christmas fun at the diner for the party and I couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Here is the filler guys! Sorry I'm late but I had been going through a lot. My family friend passed away, work and it was crazy but thanks for holding in guys. Next chapter for Mystic Descendants is on the way. Happy Thanksgiving guys!