First of all though, Advent just flew past this year, and I didn't feel ready for Christmas. The usual feeling of anticipation was not so strong this time. Perhaps it was because the first few weeks of December were busy ones for me (I had a conference in Malaysia). Decorating the house and building the crib did help. As did the first Christmas Triduum Mass I attended at the Opus Dei Centre.
But it was on Christmas Eve that I really began to feel the spirit of Christmas. I attended Christmas Midnight Mass at the Opus Dei Centre. The Oratory, the adjoining study and even the corridor outside the Oratory were filled with friends of Opus Dei - mostly families. And, being generous Catholic parents, many of these were very big families - and so there were lots of children around.
After a very beautiful Mass celebrated by Fr Joe, we all had a good Christmas potluck dinner. Next came caroling and a magic show by Andrew Kong. Watching excitement and joy of about fifteen or twenty super-excited little kids was an excellent way to herald in Christmas.
When I got back, I spent some time, at midnight, placing the statue of the Baby Jesus in my nativity scene and praying in front of it. Then I exchanged gifts with my sis, and Ferdi, wished our parents over the phone, and went to sleep.
On Christmas day Ferdi, Prash and I went for Mass at the Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop. The choir was excellent as usual!
After that the two of us roamed about at Borders for a while.
Ferdi cooked Christmas dinner which we had with some good Italian wine.
So you see - it was a very happy Christmas day :)
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