MERCER COUNTY, W.Va. – Christmas is celebrated in a number of ways, and for some, that includes nighttime church on Christmas Eve. Midnight Mass has been a Christian tradition for a very long time, dating back as early as the Fourth century.
It has prominently remained a Catholic practice, one that Sacred Heart Catholic Church has excitedly continued.
Father Sebastian E. Devasya, Pastor of Sacred Heart in Bluefield and Princeton, said shepherds watching over their flocks were some of the first to receive notice on the night Jesus Christ was born, which is why the Mass is held at midnight.
“In our Catholic tradition, we watch and wait, and Jesus, the light of the world, came to this world, so we celebrate Christmas Midnight Mass, signifying light coming into our heart in the midst of darkness,” explained Father Devasya.
The Mass begins at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve with festive singing, followed by the Holy Mass at midnight.
Father Devasya said preparation for Midnight Mass and Christmas is a long but joyful occasion.
“All these 25 days, we were preparing. This is called Advent season. Advent means waiting, waiting and preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas,” continued Father Devasya. “So, the Christians all around the world were preparing 25 days, joyfully. So that, it’s with a lot of preparation we are doing the Midnight Mass.”
Father Devasya further described the tradition of Midnight Mass in these words he wrote for WVVA:
Sacred Heart in Princeton holds Midnight Mass every Christmas Eve. For more information, you can view their website here.
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