Christmas eve, December 24, 2013

OK, here we go....I'll try to catch up with the blog while also trying to pack up. The service at Notre Dame was worth the price of admission--actually that's quite tacky to say, because there is NO admission and no tickets, so it's first come, first served. When we arrived the weather was still quite bad; i.e., it was rainy and windy--what else is new! In fact the large Christmas tree in the front of the church (pictured with lights in a previous post) was now being supported by a large crane. From a distance, as we approached the church, I told Lloyd that it looked like they had moved a crane beside the tree in order to put a large star on the top during the midnight Mass. As we got closer, it was obvious to him that the crane was there to ensure that the tree didn't fall on the crowds in the heavy winds.

Here you can see the crane and the anticipated crowd gates for the midnight Mass.

We, of course, attended the first mass of the evening. It was crowded. When we approached the Cathedral, I had a sinking feeling that Lloyd would resist the long, long line waiting to enter the Cathedral. But he was committed to my desire to attend, so off we went. The line to enter moved smoothly and quickly. In short order, we found excellent seats and staked them out for the service. Now there was nothing to do but tour the Cathedral, watch the time, and wait.

It was a sea of black garments and multiple nationalities waiting to enter the church.

T

The annual creche was a rather "different scene". Hard to explain.

This is all that was offered by way of explanation:

Sorry I can't explain this year's offering any better than this.

The processional was led by multiple priests and the monsignor of Paris. Hymns were sung by the choir of Paris, including Adestes Fideles, sung by the entire congregation. Everything was efficient and simple; literature of the Mass was in both Latin and French.

The altar was draped in beautiful gold fabric, but otherwise very simply adorned with nothing except a straw crib to be filled by baby Jesus. A young lad was selected from the crowd to carry the small figure of baby Jesus during the processional.

After the service, Lloyd and I lit candles in memory of departed family members and in honor of our family and friends.

The service was memorable and before we knew it, we were headed back across the Seine to enjoy our Christmas eve dinner.

The Seine at night--what a beautiful sight.

Joyeux Noel!!