Finally a silent and holy night

It was one of the best and most meaningful Christmases I ever celebrated in my twenty years as a priest. Many people don’t agree with me, but the pandemic gave the Church a great opportunity this Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth with its true essence.

Jan 09, 2021

Dear Editor,

It was one of the best and most meaningful Christmases I ever celebrated in my twenty years as a priest. Many people don’t agree with me, but the pandemic gave the Church a great opportunity this Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth with its true essence.

Why I say this is because of the more controlled and reverential atmosphere that it has created. The usual crowded, noisy and restless gathering was limited according to the size of the Church with the SOP requirements. The church had to space out the gatherings and have more Masses. In the parish of St John the Baptist in Sungai Siput, I had four Masses spread out from Dec 22 to 25.

The community had to come early for Mass for the usual screening. Places were allocated according to the specific numbers. People couldn’t be late because the Church main gate was closed immediately as Mass began. So no one had a choice but to come early. People couldn’t sit wherever they wanted and they were unable to talk within the Church premises.

The usual glamorous “drama minggu ini” during Christmas Mass was totally avoided. From church pew booking with umbrellas till car park conflicts all were absent. Parading new fashion of dress, hairstyle for catwalks within the church were also avoided. Crowds outside the church who were sometimes unruly were absent and Christmas-attending parishioners also had to comply to the government SOP.

The silence within the Church was extraordinary. Unnecessary movement of people was limited. The choir, server children, communion ministers and wardens were all in their places without distractions. I discovered those looking for attention within the Church were also reminded that the star of the night is Jesus Christ and no one else. The prayerful and meaningful atmosphere, from the beginning of the Mass till the leaving from the church grounds was very spiritual. The spirituality of the crib which is sung every year in the song of Silent Night, Holy Night was finally realised. Praised be to God for this great opportunity to learn once again the true meaning of the mystery of the Emmanuel.

Christmas Mass in Church is the most fundamental invitation of God’s love. Sadly, along the way, communities have sometimes celebrated Christmas without the birthday boy. The focus had been placed on other externals like carolling, parties, gifts, Santa Claus and other unnecessary accessories, which distract from the true meaning of Christmas. I pray and hope that as a community of faith we will continue to learn the essence of Church life and spirituality.

Enjoy life, stay safe and God bless.

Fr Mark Michael
Sungai Siput

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