Midnight mass at my parish. The church is filled. A few people bundled in coats hurry in from the cold as the lights dim. The voices start. It’s the choir up in the loft: “Once in Royal David’s city…” and the procession begins. A cross. 30 altar servers in red cassocks. Incense. Torch bearers. The clergy. And a priest carrying the infant Jesus. The music swells as we round the corner and move toward the creche, and the babe is placed in the straw. And at that moment, the nave is flooded with light, and the music swells and shifts and we move toward the altar. The music becomes triumphant. Now everyone is singing. “Oh come, all ye faithful…” The gift has been given!

And this is how it begins. This hymn will always be “Christmas” to me.