Advent IV and Christmas edition – let’s hear from all over!

We’ll let Gashwin get you started – he was in Delhi for Advent IV:

The beautiful cathedral was almost full, with a riot of multicolored shawls draped around the women, the men in jackets or sweaters. A line of penitents lined the left and right naves, where priests sat behind small screens labeled “English/Malayalam,” hearing confessions. It’s a practice I’ve encountered in Italy – this was the first time I was seeing it in India. I’m a little ambivalent about the whole thing – smacks way too much of “sacramental magic” in my opinion (“get your confession in to get your Eucharist.”). It’s approved by the Holy See, however, and, it was nice to see so many people lined up for confession!

snip

Mass ended with a Marian hymn, and, as seems to be normal in India, the bulk of the congregation remained behind in silent prayer. I slipped out a few minutes later. Outside the gates a host of hawkers had set up shop, with a variety of Christmas-ware spread out on tarps on the ground, mainly cards and tinsel. I picked up two Santa hats for the niece and nephew (she wanted Rs. 35 each. I absolutely loathe haggling; however, it is after all a question of izzat [honor], so I brought the price down by five rupees each.) and got into one of the waiting rickshaws.