When I was young, I remember attending the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church. It was my mom’s favorite service, therefore, everyone in the family went. It would start at 11 p.m. and end right about midnight. I was usually very sleepy and all dressed up. I would try really hard not to nod off during the service in the church, which was usually very dimly lit.
My favorite part and what I remember the most about the service was the very end. After the sermon, a song would be played and everyone received a candle that was lit by someone standing next to you. When the song ended, no one would speak at all. We would all file out of the church into the cold night (Well, cold for Phoenix!) and stare at our candles. Under a clear, starry sky, I would be still and quiet and watch that candle and think about Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas.
For that part, I was wide awake. I think back on that now (it’s been many, many years since we have gone to a late night Christmas Eve service) and cherish that memory. If I close my eyes, I can clearly remember being there and the way I felt at that moment. The silence was reverent and very special.
As I look back on those memories, it brings to mind the very popular Christmas carol “Silent Night.” It was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr Austria. Have you ever noticed that you concentrate in a different way on a song when you sit in quiet and read the lyrics? At least, I do. Here are the lyrics to Silent Night. Enjoy reading them in a quiet moment and I hope you are blessed with a Silent Night Memory this year as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.
Melissa
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Oh, Melissa, I too remember going to the 11 pm mass and the wonder of it all — plus trying to stay awake during service, and the excitement of going to Grandma’s afterwards to open present and eat tamales! Such wonderful memories!!!
So good to take a quiet moment!
What a lovely read. I love the idea of standing in the dark with a candle staring at a starry sky.