MIDNIGHT MASS XMAS EVE

[beauty]

we're not really religious but me n dh feel we'd like to go to midnight mass with dd (2 1/2) so she realises that xmnas isn't just about presents.

But would we be welcome to go as we're not really religious????

[lydialemon]

I think you'll find that you won't be the only person there, who isn't a regular. MY MIL only goes for events (weddings, memorials christmas and Easter), no one should make you feel unwelcome. How is anyone going to know how religious you are? I've managed to get through 3 childrens christenings without the priest denouncing me as the spawn of satan (although its been close }

[ladywallopofcod]

loads of irregulars go then
Infact a lot of the regualars dont IME

[clairabelle]

I'm sure you would be welcome, we thought about going with dd who was 4 at the time last year (we do go regularly) but went on Christmas morning to a special children's mass instead. This might be an idea.

[oopsadaisy]

at my church we do a lovely childrens service on christams eve. the whole church is converted into a set and the christmas story to told out.

Where abouts are you?

[Tommy]

I'm sure you'd be very welcome but I would suggest a special children's service rather than Midnight Mass which can be quite long and, obviously, quite late at night

[JuniperDewdrop]

I'm a regular but never go then as I'm usually frantically wrapping DSs pressies. I go Xmas day though.
Of course you'll be welcome beauty I think that's a lovely idea

[JuniperDewdrop]

Good idea Tommy, the carol services or Nativity plays are good ones for kids. Then if she likes it you could try xmas mass.

[Cam]

beauty you'd be welcome of course,but find out if there's an earlier service for little ones (for her sake)

[fisil]

Of course you'd be welcome, beauty. At our church there are even midnight mass regulars - they're there every year, and at no other time, so you get to know them and they get welcomed just like everyone else.

However, I wonder whether midnight mass is the right move (as others have said). I like midnight mass because it is so nice to have a whole service while ds is snuggling down in bed at home! The service tends not to cater for children as not many children go. The other thing is that if your church is in a city centre you may well be joining a lot of very drunk people!

You should get a card through your letterbox in December telling you about all the services. We have dressing up services (angels, shepherds, wise men) at various points around Xmas. We also have a Christingle on Christmas eve which is a beautiful service. Some churches will have crib services or carol services specifically designed for toddlers. The family service on Christmas morning always has a beautiful orange glow about it! Everyone is really friendly and there are always lots of visitors.

I often take along friends to these services. I would never suggest it to people (my beliefs - won't go into all that now), but lots of people ask me the same question you've asked and ask me to take them along. And I love doing it.

Good luck. Church at Xmas is always really welcoming.

[fisil]

oh, and because Xmas day is a Saturday this year there will of course be a service on Boxing Day (Sunday) when you might have more time!

[Marina]

I really wouldn't take a toddler to midnight mass. It can be a very special atmosphere for the regular congregation and visitors alike, but it can be a long service. The church, as many others have said, will probably have a very nice child-friendly service on Christmas Eve, or a Christingle around the end of the school term.
You will be welcomed whenever you go though.

[Skate]

Agree with other suggestions re children's services. Apart from anything, they are lovely and because meant for children, they expect noise and other antics!!

We have a crib and christingle service on xmas eve afternoon where they have the nativity story that the Sunday School children tell and put all the characters into the nativity scene. It's a really lovely service - see if you can go to something like this.

[Tortington]

church is always packed at xmas and easter - its when the guilt kicks in for most of us who dont attend as regularly as we should!!lol ..sorry..... ofcourse you will be welcome. what i would do if i was you would be to ring the church askw hat tiem the mass is make sure there definatley is one - ask maybe if you could come earlier to look at the nativity scene - or whether you should do that after mass. ask if they have a bit where you can take a crying child so as not to disturb everyone else - a lot of places have a place where you can nurse or take kids if they decide to scream.

ask if they have collections and if so how many - nowt worse than going to a new church and putting your money in the first 2 collections to find out there is one on the way out - not that you have to - i just feel a twot if i dont.

[Ameriscot2004]

I'm sure the church would love to have you at Christmas. You might want to check out the other services they have, in addition to the midnight one. Our church does a lovely Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 4om, especially for families with young children. It is really quite a fantastic atmosphere. We never go to the midnight service - a combination of having young children and the service not feeling like church family. We go to the Crib Service and the family service at 11am on Christmas morning.