midnight mass
Nocturnal Christmas worship
A midnight mass is a Christian church service held at or near midnight, most commonly on Christmas Eve.
The timing marks the transition into the holy day, with the service beginning in darkness and culminating in celebration of Christ's birth.
Catholic and Anglican churches observe the tradition most consistently: We bundled up and walked to midnight mass through the snow. (Capitalized Midnight Mass may refer to the 2021 Netflix horror series.)
Religious discourse on scripture
- altarSacred ritual table
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- chaliceOrnate ritual drinking vessel
procession · psalms · hymns · gospel · priest · deacon · lector · sanctuary
Reflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- starsLuminous celestial bodies
- nightfallOnset of darkness
- darknessTotal absence of light
- candlelightLuminescence from burning wick
silence · quietude · nighttime · starry · bells · chiming · lanterns · vigil
Nativity's traditional setting
- carolsFestive religious songs
- AdventChristmas preparatory season
- incarnationQuality given bodily presence
- MagiEastern priests, biblical visitors
shepherds · star · manger · Christmastide · December · poinsettia · holly · Epiphany
homily
Religious discourse on scripture
chalice · procession · psalms · hymns · gospel · priest · deacon · lector · sanctuary · pews
moonlight
Reflected solar radiance, nocturnal
candlelight · silence · quietude · nighttime · starry · bells · chiming · lanterns · vigil · wakefulness
Bethlehem
Nativity's traditional setting
- carolsFestive religious songs
- AdventChristmas preparatory season
- incarnationQuality given bodily presence
Magi · shepherds · star · manger · Christmastide · December · poinsettia · holly · Epiphany · wassail
reverence
Profound admiring respect
holiness · worship · awe · contemplation · spirituality · grace · prayer · faithful · sacrament · blessing
- Slovak folklorefolk costume, folk costumes, folk dancing, folklore festivals, embroidery patterns
- ChristmasChristmas tree, Christmas, Christmas Day, Christmas ornaments, Santa
- holiday traditionsChristmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, New Year
- DecemberChristmas, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, holiday season, end of year
- holiday activitiesgift giving, gift buying, family gatherings, decorating, baking
- nativitynativity set, baby Jesus, Christ child, Bethlehem, Mary
midnight massmorning service
Early worship gathering
sunrise service · matins · lauds · morning prayer · prime