Midnight Mass facts for kids
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Midnight Mass is a special church service held on Christmas Eve. It traditionally starts at midnight, right when Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day. This service is a joyful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Even Christian groups that don't usually use the word "Mass" will often call this Christmas Eve service "Midnight Mass." This is because it includes a special part called Eucharist or Holy Communion.
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History of Midnight Mass
The idea of a midnight service on Christmas Eve began a long time ago in the East. A Christian woman named Egeria saw this tradition in Jerusalem in the late 300s. It came to the Western world around the year 430. This was under Pope Sixtus III at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.
By the 1100s, Midnight Mass became more common. Priests were allowed to hold three Masses on Christmas Day. These were held at midnight, at dawn, and during the day.
Christmas Eve Traditions
Many Christian groups have their own ways of celebrating Midnight Mass or similar services.
Midnight Mass in the Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church traditionally celebrates Midnight Mass. However, many churches now hold this "midnight" Mass earlier in the evening. Since 2009, the Pope has celebrated this Mass at 10:00 pm. The official name for this service is now "Mass during the Night." But if it happens at midnight, people still call it "Midnight Mass."
Lutheran Christmas Eve Services
Lutheran churches often have a midnight service. This is part of a larger Christmas Eve Vigil, which is a time of prayer and watching.
Anglican Midnight Communion
Churches in the Anglican Communion also traditionally hold a Midnight Communion service. This usually starts around 11 or 11:30 pm on Christmas Eve.
Methodist Christmas Eve Services
Methodist churches have different traditions. Many hold services at 11 p.m. During these services, church bells are often rung when midnight arrives.
Presbyterian Watchnight Service
The Church of Scotland has a service just before midnight. This service includes singing Christmas carols. It is called a Watchnight service. It does not include a "Mass" like in other traditions.
Eastern Christian Christmas Eve
While Eastern Christian traditions do not have "Midnight Mass," they often have an All-Night Vigil on Christmas Eve. This vigil includes a service called Matins. Matins is traditionally observed at midnight.
See also
- Misa de Gallo, a version of Midnight Mass in many Spanish-speaking countries.
- Pasterka, a Midnight Mass celebrated in Poland.
- Plygain, a Welsh service of worship taking place on Christmas morning.
- Watchnight service, a service of worship observed on New Year's Eve.
