I don’t like to rush into Christmas. I think Advent is a great concept and I want us to keep Advent well—a particular challenge this year when Advent is very, very short! But, since a month from now we’ll be at Christmas Day itself, let me talk about the Mass schedule for December 24 and 25.

This is our first year with one priest to celebrate Masses—for Saturday/Sunday, December 23/24 the 4th Sunday of Advent and Sunday/Monday, December 24/25 as Christmas Eve and Day! It’s a challenging conjunction of days every 5 or 6 years. Our schedule this year came as a result of careful discussion with our liturgy committee, musicians from both parishes, and the Parish Pastoral Council. No one claims it’s perfect. I’m sure some folks will be unhappy.

But, as you’ve read in previous weeks—it’s 4 p.m. at St. Boniface, 6:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence for the Eve; Midnight at St. Boniface, and 9 a.m. at St. Lawrence for the Day. If your priority on Christmas Eve is a guaranteed seat in the church and an easy-to-find spot in the parking lot, the 4 p.m. probably won’t make you happy. If your family or travel plans don’t require that early Mass, think about the other options. Every one of those celebrations will be meaningful and beautiful. It’s your choice but choose wisely so that we all have a good celebration of the Lord’s Nativity.