Adelaide B. Shaw

Singing Christmas Mass

The first Mass on Christmas at St. Anthony's Church is a 6:00 a.m. I am 13 years old and sing in the choir. It is still dark when I arrive, and the church is not fully lighted, just the vestibule and the choir loft where we gather for a brief practice. This first Mass and the last at noon will be high Masses.

Lights come on in the sanctuary, candles are lighted, the heat is turned on. At such an early hour the church is only half filled. Stained glass windows, dark when Mass begins, gradually brighten as the sun rises, and beams of color travel over pillars and pews. The organ swells; our voices blend harmoniously; the fragrance of pine boughs, candles and incense float up to the choir loft as our voices float out over the congregation.

the sun in my eyes
singing "Gloria"
from memory