The Courier

December 21, 2011 The Courier Page 3There is significance of Midnight MassChristmas is one of the most celebrateddates on the Christian calendar.Commemorating the birth ofthe SaviorJesus Christis only surpassedinimportanceby the celebrationofEaster, atime whenChristiansrememberChrist’s sacrificeof lifefor His people.Christmas is often celebratedwith much joy and fervor all aroundthe world, with exchanges of giftsand special acts of charity all monthlong. One component of the Christmascelebration that has long beentradition and holds special meaningto celebrants is the Midnight Mass.Churches all around the worldhold four different Christmas celebrations,including three masses anda Christmas vigil. The MidnightMass is perhaps the most cherished.Mass, a Christian liturgical rite thatoften involves the sacrament of theEucharist, may begin prior to midnightand include Biblical readingsthat focus on the story of Christ’sbirth depending on the church. Atmidnight on December 24, carolsmay be sung and the ringing ofchurch bells to signify the birth ofChrist as December 25 arrives. In Israel,a procession takes place fromJerusalem to Bethlehem on ChristmasEve. In the Catholic Pope’shome of Vatican City, the Pope himselfheads the Midnight Mass andpeople in large numbers pray forpeace among mankind.Many theologians say that theMidnight Mass evolved from individualsmaking pilgrimages to Israeland the actual birthplace of Christ.Because the Bible states that Jesuswas born at night and in a manger, tofully immerse oneself in the storyand the liturgical significance of themoment, a Midnight Mass seems thebest place to achieve these goals. Thedarkness and the gentle hush thatnighttime provides helps set thescene and enhance the spiritual componentof Christmas.The Nativity of Jesus takes placein two Gospels of the Bible: theGospel of Luke and the Gospel ofMatthew. The version of Luke goesmuch more deeply into the story ofMary’s virgin conception through thetime of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.Here is Christ’s birth according tothe Gospel of Luke:In those days a decree went outfrom Caesar Augustus that the wholeworld should be enrolled. This wasthe first enrollment, when Quiriniuswas governor of Syria. So all went tobe enrolled, each to his own town.And Joseph too went up from Galileefrom the town of Nazareth to Judea,to the city of David that is calledBethlehem, because he was of theOpen 7 daysa week til 2 amMon - Sun 11 amLite fare served til1:30 amThurs-Monhouse and family of David, to be enrolledwith Mary, his betrothed, whowas with child. While they werethere, the time came for her to haveher child, and she gave birth to herfirstborn son. She wrapped him inswaddling clothes and laid him in amanger, because there was no roomfor them in the inn.Now there were shepherds in thatregion living in the fields and keepingthe night watch over their flock.The angel of the Lord appeared tothem and the glory of the Lord shonearound them, and they were struckwith great fear. The angel said tothem, ‘Do not be afraid; for I proclaimto you good news of great joythat will be for all the people. Fortoday in the city of David a savior hasbeen born for you who is Messiahand Lord. And this will be a sign foryou; you will find an infant wrappedin swaddling clothes and lying in amanger.’Later, the Gospel continues, “Hewas named Jesus, the name givenhim by the angel before he was conceivedin the womb.”Midnight Mass has become animportant component in the celebrationof Christmas for the faithful.While secular celebrations may focuson the arrival of Santa Claus at themidnight hour, religious celebrationsoften involve filling churches atmidnight to spread the word ofChrist’s arrival.Customer Appreciationcelebration on December 214 p.m. to 7 p.m.with “Lime Green”New Year’s Eve with Donnie Berkey10 p.m. to ?LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!starting at 10pmKaraoke every Friday withDonnie BerkeyDaily SpecialsHappy Hour 2-7 pm j 7 days a week!Monday 1/2 Price Burger NightWednesday 1/2 Price Hot DogsCheck out our adjacent store for your stock ofbeer, wine & spirits - open till 2 a.m.Pines Plaza Shopping Center11070 Cathell Road, Berlin410-208-3922