Midnight Mass, Christmas Eve
Callahan had hardly known how to react when he'd walked into the church and seen the Christmas decorations. And as more and more people began to wander in, he realized what a fool he'd been to assume there weren't residents here hungry for spirituality, in whatever form. He almost felt the warmth of the place, as cold as it was outside at midnight.
He waited until everyone seemed comfortable and there didn't seem to be anyone else filing in, and began to speak. "Welcome, everyone. I... cannot tell you how it warms my heart to see so many of you here together to celebrate Christmas. It is truly a testament that God can find his way into the most remote places. Sometimes I feel as if His will is so quiet, like a bird's flutter against my ears, and I'm straining to hear, and other times like these it's like He's in the room, scolding me for dawdling. From wherever we've come from, we are all here together now, and safe and loved on this Christmas, and for that we say thankya. And thank you to whomever worked so hard to make the church look so beautiful and festive this evening."
"As far as tonight's service goes, I am a priest and I called it a midnight mass because that is the term familiar to me, but with so many different types of people here from different worlds and different faiths, I think that something more generic would be appropriate. I believe I will begin to hold regular Catholic mass beginning in the new year, if only to hear myself talk, so if God spurs your interest in such things, do feel free to speak with me afterwards. For now, let us celebrate Christmas together, and as always, that begins with a story."
"And God sent an angel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, with a message for a virgin named Mary..." He read the entire Christmas story from Luke, from the Living Bible translation, thinking it would be easier for any children there to understand. When he was finished, he offered a prayer, said a few words about the spirit of love and giving behind Christmas.
There had been offers to sing, and so Callahan brought them up and led the group in 'Silent Night' and 'Joy to the World', and sent around candles, which everyone lit in turn with the flame of the person sitting next to them.
After that, he stood in front again and with a smile, offered, "And now my part here is done. Please take this opportunity to enjoy each other's company here in the warmth. Merry Christmas to you all, and good night."
[OOC: Gathering post! Tag in with your pup's thoughts about being there, and tag each other for socializing after the service. Merry Christmas!]
He waited until everyone seemed comfortable and there didn't seem to be anyone else filing in, and began to speak. "Welcome, everyone. I... cannot tell you how it warms my heart to see so many of you here together to celebrate Christmas. It is truly a testament that God can find his way into the most remote places. Sometimes I feel as if His will is so quiet, like a bird's flutter against my ears, and I'm straining to hear, and other times like these it's like He's in the room, scolding me for dawdling. From wherever we've come from, we are all here together now, and safe and loved on this Christmas, and for that we say thankya. And thank you to whomever worked so hard to make the church look so beautiful and festive this evening."
"As far as tonight's service goes, I am a priest and I called it a midnight mass because that is the term familiar to me, but with so many different types of people here from different worlds and different faiths, I think that something more generic would be appropriate. I believe I will begin to hold regular Catholic mass beginning in the new year, if only to hear myself talk, so if God spurs your interest in such things, do feel free to speak with me afterwards. For now, let us celebrate Christmas together, and as always, that begins with a story."
"And God sent an angel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, with a message for a virgin named Mary..." He read the entire Christmas story from Luke, from the Living Bible translation, thinking it would be easier for any children there to understand. When he was finished, he offered a prayer, said a few words about the spirit of love and giving behind Christmas.
There had been offers to sing, and so Callahan brought them up and led the group in 'Silent Night' and 'Joy to the World', and sent around candles, which everyone lit in turn with the flame of the person sitting next to them.
After that, he stood in front again and with a smile, offered, "And now my part here is done. Please take this opportunity to enjoy each other's company here in the warmth. Merry Christmas to you all, and good night."
[OOC: Gathering post! Tag in with your pup's thoughts about being there, and tag each other for socializing after the service. Merry Christmas!]