Advent Calendar - Day 7 - Mass

I remember when Midnight Mass would start at half eleven.

Greeting Christmas Day with the family.

And a faint whiff of whisky in the pews.

Nowadays, it's usually a half nine start.

Our lives are more time-managed now.

**SIGH**

As a little one, the excitement of still being up so late was thrilling.

Into the car we'd get, then off to pick up Nanna Bridie from her home & then to a candlelit church to sing, pray, celebrate, shake hands with fellow parishioners & wish the Priest a happy Christmas.

Once back to the homestead, my father would be taking a tincture having been released from his driving duties.

Then:

Me: "It's Christmas, may I have a Snowball please?"

Mother: "No, it's bedtime now."

Father: "Up the wooden hill because Father Christmas is on his way."

Me: **Computes**

Father: "The sooner you go to bed, the sooner Santa will be delivering your presents."

Me: "Alright .."

Before the lights would go out I would read one of Enid Blyton's Christmas Stories in bed.

The stocking was on the end of the bedpost.

I was full of hope.

And falling asleep dreaming of elves.

AMM