Midnight Mass

Celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, many Christians gather on Christmas Eve for Midnight Mass

In many Western Christian traditions Midnight Mass is the first liturgy of Christmastide that is celebrated on the night of Christmas Eve, traditionally beginning at midnight when Christmas Eve gives way to Christmas Day. This popular Christmas custom is a jubilant celebration of the Mass or Service of Worship in honour of the Nativity of Jesus; even many of those Christian denominations that do not regularly employ the word "Mass" uniquely use the term "Midnight Mass" for their Christmas Eve liturgy.

History

The tradition of a midnight Vigil on the eve of Christmas began in the East, and was observed in the late fourth century in Jerusalem by a Christian woman named Egeria on the night of January 5 (since Christmas was still celebrated on January 6 at the time as the Western date of December 25 had not yet reached the East). The tradition reached the Western world in the year 430 under Pope Sixtus III in the Basilica of St Mary Major.[1]

By the twelfth century, the practice of midnight Mass had become more widespread as all priests had been granted the faculty of celebrating three Masses on Christmas Day (previously reserved to the Pope), provided the three different propers were celebrated at their appropriate times of midnight, dawn and day.[1]

Traditions

On Christmas Eve, the Advent Wreath is traditionally completed with the lighting of the Christ Candle in many church services.

Roman Catholicism

The practice of celebrating Midnight Mass is traditional in the Roman Catholic Church, although many churches now hold their "midnight" Mass at an earlier hour. Since 2009, the Pope has celebrated this Mass at 10:00 pm,[2] and as a result the official liturgical designation of these texts has been Mass during the Night since 2009. However, when the Mass does occur at midnight, it is still commonly called "Midnight Mass".

Anglicanism

Churches of the Anglican Communion also traditionally celebrate Midnight Mass for Christmas at 11 or 11:30 pm). The Church of Scotland also observes a service just before midnight which involves the singing of carols, although it does not include Mass and is called a Watchnight service (held elsewhere on New Year's Eve).

Lutheranism

Lutheran traditions often observe midnight Mass as a part of a wider Christmas Eve Vigil.

Methodism

Methodist observations vary as many hold services at 11 p.m. which involve the ringing of church bells when the stroke of midnight is reached.

Eastern Christian traditions

While Midnight Mass is not observed in Eastern traditions, All-Night Vigil is common on Christmas Eve and involves the celebration of Matins, the hour which is traditionally observed at midnight.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Tradition of Midnight Mass".
  2. ↑ Rome, By Nick Squires in. "Pope to hold Midnight Mass at 10 pm".

See also

  • Misa del Gallo, a version of the Midnight Mass in many Spanish-speaking countries
  • Pasterka, a Midnight Mass celebrated in Poland
  • Plygain, a Welsh service of worship taking place on Christmas morning
  • Watchnight service, a service of worship observed on New Year's Eve
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