Midnight mass...

[bumblebee39]

I think I ABU but lots of people are and go to midnight mass because they like the hymns and traditions etc. Not because they are actually religious...

But my AIBU is about whether it's ok to take two small children? Or should I miss it this year if I can't get a sitter

Tia xx

Take your children. Loads go.

Will they be old enough to stay up really late without getting grouchy? Will is spoil Christmas Day? Otherwise, I'd go for it, why not?

Think it depends on the age of the children, how far you are from the church and how you would be travelling to and from mass.

Couldn't you go to an earier an evening mass on Christmas eve if it's really important to you?

Benefits of midnight mass

• great hymns, special service, feels mega Christmassy
• no getting up for church Xmas Day so more pj time before lunch
• yes children go and it’s lovely

Cons of midnight mass

• Xmas eve drinking must be respectfully curtailed 😄
• it’s a long service at ours and only finishes at about 1am, sometimes later
• always rammo compared to normal so need to get there and bag a seat

Also have to say - OH totally non religious and I don’t press him to come with me, so I usually go to Christmas Eve mass instead which is usually around 11am/12. I’m catholic.

How old are they? It’s up to whether they will cope really. There are always kids at the midnight mass I go to and it’s never an issue - it’s usually nice to see them!

DC1 aged 5 will stay awake she is a night owl like her momma and means she might lie in a little or possibly have a nap post Xmas dinner...

DC2 is little enough to fall asleep in the pram...

Next year I will have a baby, a 2 year old and a 6 year old so will not be going...

It's walking distance but will get a cab home, and won't be drinking anyway!

Check your local parish. We do a 6pm children's mass and make birthday cards for Jesus and sing hymns etc. May be worth looking into. It's good fun packed atmosphere. As much as I respect my faith I find the homily at midnight mass very heavy and obs a few drinks said I'd wait until a few years before allowing my girls 10 7 and 11 months to do that one. My eldest is an alter server so as she gets older she can go. I find the children's one amazing. I know this is the done thing in the catholic faith not sure about other faiths but you can ring round x

I've found a morning Christmas Eve mass which is local so might just go for that. Shame I love the midnight ones but might have to wait until DCs are older am keeping my ear to the ground for a child friendly night time one though... But know I'll get a taxi back X