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Original poster

Midnight mass - from what age?

15 replies

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 22:42

We are not regular churchgoers, but do try and go with the DCs (7 and 9) to a couple of the Christmas services at our local CofE church, Christingle, which they like and Crib service, which they are starting to think is babyish (it is aimed at very young children). I was thinking out loud and said "some people go to church at midnight on Christmas Eve" - they were quite taken with that idea. I probably wouldn't do it this year, I think they would be too tired out the next day, but it got me wondering, as I've never been - do older children and young people go? Would that generally be appropriate/acceptable?

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 30/11/2013 22:49

I can remember going for the first time, but not exactly when. Definitely before 11, so sis would have been 9 max. Sent to 'rest' beforehand - on Christmas Eve?! Do a deal that they don't wake you up before x am. Christmas sleep always up the spout anyway.

LittleMissGreen · 30/11/2013 23:03

I would think about 11 - mainly as before that I would be worried with them being tired and grumpy on Christmas Day. If you have a child who would 'sleep in' having been up at midnight then maybe 9 or 10.

morethanpotatoprints · 30/11/2013 23:12

I have never taken mine because they don't attend regularly.
Always feared the regulars would think here come some more Christmas only worshippers.
A lot of people do go just for this though, I feel sorry for the regulars especially the older ones who complain there is no room for them.
Reminds me of the full churches for Songs Of praise Grin

Original poster
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 23:15

Thanks. They are both more than capable of the odd late night, they usually stay up till 10.30-11ish every night when we are on holiday now, without any impact on their normal getting up time. They normally go to bed about 9 and I am not one of those who craves their "me-time" in the evenings, however Christmas Eve is one night when I really do like to get them settled down fairly early and relax with a glass of wine with DH, having the DCs up all evening would take the edge off that. I was also wondering what the service is like and would it be boring for them, presumably it is aimed at adults.

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Original poster
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 23:18

x-posted with Morethan - yes, that's another thing, the full house for Songs of Praise effect. To be honest though, I think this particular church isn't all that well attended as we are always made extremely welcome at the other Christmas services and on the odd occasion we have been on a normal Sunday it is fairly empty.

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scaevola · 30/11/2013 23:19

Check the times if your local services - some run much earlier than midnight.

It's a normal Commumion Service (usually with the shortest liturgical options) - so it'd be the quick version of your normal Sunday, plus placement of the baby in the stable tableau (assuming you have one).

ZombieMonkeyButler · 30/11/2013 23:22

I would say that it depends how long the service lasts. I go to a cathedral service which lasts 2 hrs. I love it now, as a 30 something. Hated it as a child because it dragggggged! Even though I had asked to go!

I've been to an advent service tonight. T'was lovely.

LittleMissGreen · 30/11/2013 23:22

It's usually a normal Sunday Eucharist (Holy Communion) Service - tends to end with 'O come all ye faithful' as should only sing the last verse on Christmas Day, followed by everybody wishing all a "Happy Christmas". All the ones I have been to in various churches have been quite traditional.
(And in our church we love it when it is full, even if it is the only time of year you turn up)

lookoveryourshouldernow · 30/11/2013 23:30

I have only been to one Midnight Mass when I was little - probably about 5 .... after a very exciting Christmas Eve....

I remember feeling very very wobbly and the then noises around me echoed a lot in my head.

I then fainted and my only recollection was of my Father hoisting and shoving me over his shoulders as he carried me back down the whole length of the aisle (we got there early)...

All the time I was trying to plug the holes in my big grey knickers with my fingers so that no-one would see...

Never been to Mid-Night Mass again ever....

Original poster
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 30/11/2013 23:38

Oh no Lookover, not surprised you've stayed away.

Ours is at 11.30, we had a card through with all the times on this week. I might just go along by myself this year and see what it's like, it's only 5 mins walk away, so I'm ok to do that even if I have had a glass of wine earlier.

Length of service / boringness is an issue as DS has AS and struggles a bit to sit still in theatres, cinemas, churches etc, especially if he doesn't know how much longer something is going to last for.

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lookoveryourshouldernow · 30/11/2013 23:46

..but from memory I think that the service was in Latin then (which probably didn't help) - but there again I maybe imagining it ...

NoComet · 01/12/2013 00:00

Depends in church I took the DDs once, but it was all old dears. It was also -12. Which was how come we were there, Evangelical atheist DDad and family were snowed in. So DH was able to go to church and I thought it might be romantic. It was, for adults, but the DDs were bored and cold.

DD1 sings in the choir there and at school it was the fifth freezing visit to a church that December and my ties had had enough.

Christmas eve crib service is our lovely one for children where they dress up and have a very informal nativity.

No idea about Christmas day,

NoComet · 01/12/2013 00:01

Toes had had enough.

NoComet · 01/12/2013 00:04

Come to think of it DD1, grabbed her robe and went and stood under the heater and sang, so she was less cold.

snuffykins · 01/12/2013 00:05

Our "midnight" mass I'd at 7pm!

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