Our Nativity Set has had some interesting occurences through the years.

Rich and Bernadette went shopping so she could get some purple and blue lights for her apartment when she goes back. Last night she and I stayed up late talking about all the cousins and aunts and uncles. I figure it was also preparation for Midnight Mass. The end result is I have been half-dozing all day!

Oops. It appears canned milk spoils. No, I have no idea how long ago I bought it, but it appears I'll not be making fudge today!

Vince got in about 4:45 and this time we got to the airport on time. Home to the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, more or less. Well, MY traditions, which don't involve days and days of preparation. Afterwards we played Scrabble. I won at the very last minute by going out just in time to leave Wowbagger with a "Q". Only fair, as he'd put "MAZE" onto a triple-word place and taken a solid lead. The game was Vince's idea. It's sorta like bowling being Roni's Christmas thing.

Then we talked, and listened to carols, till it was time to send W. home and go to Midnight Mass. Once again, they had a living nativity, with small children being angels and such. Cute, but Bernadette would prefer straight carols, and so would I, I think. A little more solemnity for the special occasion.

There was a baritone there I may have heard before in Music Circus and he sang Gesu Bambino and simply made my evening.

One of the (non-Catholic) journallers was wishing to go to Midnight Mass (the family wouldn't let it happen, for fear of being struck by lightning!) Later this journaller said it was probably hypocritical, since they wouldn't go any other time. I don't see that as being hypocrisy at all. It's a way of marking a special occasion with a well-established ritual, all the candles and prayers and songs and getting up and kneeling down and pageantry (no incense for us tonight). Catholics definitely know from pageantry on Midnight Mass. But, it's kind of like not wanting to eat truffles or pheasant all the time, sometimes it's a bowl of popcorn or a Big Mac. Midnight Mass is special, but "everyday" Mass is only special to Catholics. No harm in wanting the experience once.

In other news, apparently God's Gift to Mankind needs his beauty sleep. Actually, though, I suspect a trap. Since the excuses are getting lamer and lamer as he goes along, and I think now he may be trying to pick a fight in order to avoid doing what he should. I won't play, I'll just stew quietly in my own juices. Besides, I suspect the other inconvenienced people in the family may have some comments, in any case. In the long run, though I'm annoyed at the moment, I'm not the person who has to put up his thoughtlessness the rest of the time.

I posted November 24, the Carnegie Museum.