I love Christmas Eve. When I was little, it was my most favorite day. I remember wanting to take a nap in the afternoon so the evening would hurry up and get here. We usually went to church for a candlelight service, then had yummy snacks at home and opened our stockings. We sometimes got to open our "big Christmas present". Just really fun memories.
Our church, Tampa Covenant, had their service at 7pm... We went early so I could rehearse with the worship team. I really love singing on the worship team. Although, I was missing Rochel this night! Always more fun with her. The service was really nice, just alot of scripture reading and songs, all in the dark, candle light. Pretty. Quiet. Moving. I love the art work members of our church have made for the worship space... I love our version of stained glass:
And this painting, recently created by Linda Reynolds. Just beautiful. I love that everything is purposeful.
After our service, we met up with Rodney and Don at The Taco Bus for dinner. Last year, we discovered that it was open until 10pm and is a block away from the church (Sacred Heart) where we were going to be attending Midnight Mass. Last year was our first time giving this service a try. And we loved it. All of us. I just love that we can go to a different denomination church and appreciate how they worship differently than us. Same God. Same Savior. This year, we went to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, directly behind Sacred Heart. Rodney's been attending here and has joined the choir and he was singing, so our choice was made.
It was a really wonderful service. Everything about it. (Except perhaps the live Christmas Trees and incense... my allergies did not approve). The choir is INSANELY talented. There are only about 24 of them, and each piece they sang (mostly a cappella) were so difficult! And they sang ALOT of songs throughout the service. We love how the priest and choir and alter people march in behind the cross. Just really beautiful symbolism of the cross going before them. We loved the scripture reading, the liturgy, communion, and celebration. The priest gave a really excellent homily about reasons why people would come to that service. Then he said, "I came to be confounded!" and I thought that's exactly why I'm here, too. Just to be amazed and in wonder of God. Stopping to be sit quietly and be confounded. I loved that. The season has been chaotic, no matter how desperately we try to slow it down... and finally, among soft lights in a foreign church, it settled on me. I want to always be surprised and amazed and overwhelmed by everything God has done for me.
Another Christmas Eve that is added to my list of my very favorite days of the year!!
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