Does anyone go to church on Christmas eve?

[Red Squirrel]

I don't know I think I will stick to my Christian church, we usually have a pig roast over coals on good Friday. It's too cold to do it outside at that time of year so we do it in the basement. It gets a little messy though but it's a good time and the carbon monoxide brings us a step closer to God. We had 3 ambulances show up last year. Down from 4 the year before.

Seriously though we usually do have a big bacon and eggs brunch on Good Friday lol.

 

[Fritzo]

I sometimes go to a Catholic church for the spiritual experience. The music and the atmosphere allow you to feel at ease and meditate. If you're anxious around the holidays, I highly recommend it.

 

[ni4ni]

Yes, we go to a Candlelight Christmas Eve service every year, either at our home church or another church is ours isn't having one. It has nothing to do with confessing sins, as that can be done anywhere in prayer to God.

 

[KeithP]

I just find the "lets all go to church and repent our sins" on Christmas eve very silly.

I kind of doubt you have ever been to church (not that I go) given that level of knowledge of the Christmas eve proceedings.

-KeithP

 

[Mai72]

I kind of doubt you have ever been to church (not that I go) given that level of knowledge of the Christmas eve proceedings.

-KeithP

The last time I went to church was during a coworkers funeral. I was brought up Catholic but haven't really gone to church much.

 

[pete6032]

The last time I went to church was during a coworkers funeral. I was brought up Catholic but haven't really gone to church much.

Confession of sins is not normally the main focus of Christmas Eve services. Maybe that was different in your experience but most Christmas services focus on the miracle of Jesus' birth and what Christians believe it meant for humanity. Catholic church is much different than other denominations or nondenominational worship. While Catholics consider themselves Christians, they generally don't consider other non Catholic Christians to be true Christians. If you went to a different denomination you would probably have a different experience. Don't judge all Christians from your limited experience at a catholic church.

 

[sportage]

I like the idea of midnight mass even though I am not Catholic, but chiming in Christmas at midnight seemed the thing to do. And that worked out because Christmas eve family gatherings can still take place. Then, off to mass at midnight.
Beautiful cathedral with trumpeters, candles, all very nice.
However, someone(s) must have complained because midnight mass was moved up to 10pm.
Hardly midnight mass.....
And since that change three years ago, 10pm midnight mass has about 1/3 the attendance where the original midnight mass at midnight was always packed and often standing room only.

I believe another Christmas eve mass is also held earlier at 5 or 6 pm, so why do the 10pm mass if the 5pm mass is available?
Where the midnight 12am mass was the mass to attend. But they screwed that up, god only knows why?
What the hell is happening to society?
Even midnight mass becomes 10pm mass but still referred to as midnight mass by this church.

 

[snoopy7548]

I'd probably go to midnight mass if they handed out Christmas cookies instead of those communion wafers.

 

[OccamsToothbrush]

Confession of sins is not normally the main focus of Christmas Eve services.

The main focus of all Christian services is that you have to go or god will roast you in flames eternally to prove how much he loves you. The sole purpose of going to Christmas Eve services is so that you don't have to get up and go on Christmas morning. You're just cashing in your "get out of hell for this week" card earlier and at a more convenient time.

 

[section8]

I do. Feels good to me but YMMV.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I like the idea of midnight mass even though I am not Catholic, but chiming in Christmas at midnight seemed the thing to do. And that worked out because Christmas eve family gatherings can still take place. Then, off to mass at midnight.
Beautiful cathedral with trumpeters, candles, all very nice.
However, someone(s) must have complained because midnight mass was moved up to 10pm.
Hardly midnight mass.....
And since that change three years ago, 10pm midnight mass has about 1/3 the attendance where the original midnight mass at midnight was always packed and often standing room only.

I believe another Christmas eve mass is also held earlier at 5 or 6 pm, so why do the 10pm mass if the 5pm mass is available?
Where the midnight 12am mass was the mass to attend. But they screwed that up, god only knows why?
What the hell is happening to society?
Even midnight mass becomes 10pm mass but still referred to as midnight mass by this church.

One thing I noticed is people don't really stay up late anymore even for special occasions. Like just in general. Christmas time, family gatherings etc. I've actually spent some Christmas Eves alone because everyone went to bed so early. I've even been hanging in awkward positions before because one minute I'm drinking a glass of wine that was offered to me and the other minute everyone decides they are going home/to bed but I can't really drive home because I literally am drinking. I really make sure to check the time now if someone offers me anything to drink and I'm with family. They tend to be very sudden when they all decide to end the night.

 

[Ajay]

Every year, save this one - came down sick. Sucks not celebrating the incarnation with my community.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd probably go to midnight mass if they handed out Guinness and loaded potato skins instead of those communion wafers.

ftfy

 

[WelshBloke]

I sometimes go to a Catholic church for the spiritual experience. The music and the atmosphere allow you to feel at ease and meditate. If you're anxious around the holidays, I highly recommend it.

I go to the pub for the same reasons!

 

[eng2d2]

I am ashame to say that its the only time I go.

 

[Staples]

I am atheist but my wife is a believer. I go with her sometimes. Not yesterday.

I think she was too lazy to get ready. I hate the holidays because I hate when everyone is home. I was actually looking forward to it.
But it is dry enough today, maybe I will just take my bike out for an extended day cation.

 

[bguile]

We used to go to a midnight..(well 8pm) service on xmas. Sing some songs, listen to a sermon, light some candles and go home. This year, we went to a community band concert that was being hosted at a local church, but not on xmas eve. There was nothing religious about it, just local musicians playing Christmas music. It was a really good time.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If they pay me.

Six services at the fancy ELCA parish last night. Check's in the mail.

 

[lxskllr]

If they pay me.

Six services at the fancy ELCA parish last night. Check's in the mail.

Ok, so how does one get paid to go to church? I could be retired now if I got paid every time I went.

 

[OccamsToothbrush]

Ok, so how does one get paid to go to church? I could be retired now if I got paid every time I went.

Why did you spend all that time in church and never learn how to skim the collection plates? What a waste.

 

[lxskllr]

Why did you spend all that time in church and never learn how to skim the collection plates? What a waste.

Same reason I didn't become a priest. Too honest ;^)

 

[BudAshes]

Following orders, faking enthusiasm and listening to BS are all things I'm bad at. I don't like doing things I'm bad at so I avoid man made churches. Nature has it's own cathedrals that I find far more holy.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

The last time I went to church was during a coworkers funeral. I was brought up Catholic but haven't really gone to church much.

Try out a Congregational Church. Many at mine are former Catholics (including me). Works more like you expect a Church to work and less guilt but more reflection.
Your mileage may vary.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Here was my thinking point. Still is.

“God and sinners reconciled”

 

[IronWing]

Ok, so how does one get paid to go to church? I could be retired now if I got paid every time I went.

Organist


Based on my childhood memories of church, it takes a certain type of sadist to be an organist in the Catholic church. One has to drag the tempo, turning every song into a dirge. Hark, ---- the -- her-ald an-gels sing, --- glooorry to the -- new -- born --- king.