christmas eve wrap

I like to wrap gifts while watching the Christmas Eve mass from the Vatican.  When I tell people that they look at me as though I am something to be pitied or feared ("I didn't know you were that religious," somebody said to me the other day).

It all started when my kids were young.  Back in those days, the only time I could find to get away and wrap gifts was when they were asleep which, on Christmas Eve, was usually quite late.  As they got older, and were away at school during the day, my only excuse was procrastination.  Now, however, it has become a part of my Christmas ritual.  I can't imagine one without the other.

For me, the two go hand-in-hand. Both are about anticipation; about preparing ourselves for what is to come.  And both are about transforming the mundane, making something special out of the ordinary.  I can give my kids socks and underpants any day of the year and they aren't excited.  But, put some pretty paper around them and a bow and suddenly you have a gift.  And both activities are a response to God's incredible love and grace. So what if the Pope is decked out in beautiful robes sitting in an amazing cathedral while I am garbed in my bathrobe sitting on the bedroom floor!


A few years ago, they started having a commentator for the service; kind of like a golf commentator speaking in hushed whispers, letting those of us at home know who the key players are and what is happening.  Some people may find this annoying, but I like it.  I like knowing the meaning behind what I have been watching all these years.  For example, this year I learned that the reason the Pope removes his big hat for the reading of the gospel is to symbolize putting aside his earthly power and authority so that he can become a man and learn from Jesus (I always thought it was because the thing started to get heavy).  And I learned the names and country of origin of the children who brought the elements to be blessed by the Pope.  I like that.

"Someday," I said to Mark, "I would like to experience midnight mass in person; to sit in the basilica and be a part of it all."

"Okay," Mark said.  "But we'll have to bring our wrapping with us.  Maybe they'll give us a seat in the back where we can spread out."

"Yeah," I said.  "That would be awesome."