MASS AT MIDNIGHT

               For Catholics around the world, Christmas would not be complete without the celebration of Christmas Mass.  Actually the word "Christmas" has its origins in a contraction of the words "Christ's Mass".
              Christmas is unique in that there are three different liturgies for the day, each celebrating the birth of Jesus with differing readings.  The Mass at Midnight is also called the Mass of the Angels recalling the angels filling the skies over Bethlehem on that Holy Night.  The Mass celebrated at dawn is called the Mass of the Shepherds as the Gospel recounts the visit of the shepherds to the Manger.  The Mass of Christmas Day is known as the Mass of the Divine Word and focuses on the Divinity of Jesus.
              All around the world the celebration of Christmas for Catholics begins with Midnight Mass.  This long-standing custom began because the Early Church believed that Jesus was born at midnight on December 25, the Light of the World dispelling the deep darkness.
              The very first Christmas Mass was celebrated honoring the birthday of Jesus in 354 AD.  The first Midnight Mass wasn't celebrated until 430 AD.  Pope Sixtus 3 celebrated the Mass in the newly dedicated church of St. Mary Major in Rome.  The Pope had a replica of the chapel in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus was born, included in the basilica's plans.  Tradition says that the remains of the actual manger in which the Baby was laid are contained in a reliquary at St. Mary Major.
              Today the Pope says Midnight Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.  Before the Mass the Pope greets tens of thousands of Pilgrims awaiting his special Christmas message called "Urbi et Orbi"  - "To the City and the World."  The message and the Mass are broadcasted to more than 124 television networks reaching 74 countries world-wide, with 46 countries enjoying a live broadcast.
               Although Midnight Mass is a large part of the celebration of Christmas in many countries, last Christmas Pope Benedict celebrated the Mass at 10pm, as a concession to his age.  Many local parishes followed the Pope's example and the question, "What time is Midnight Mass?" became a valid one.