We had services in the parish hall (the overflow since the church was alread filled) and by the time we got there we had already missed the window to get a seat. We knew it'd be a rough mass since standing = running around to two little toddlers. Especially since we'd gone to mass just the night before and that is a lot for a 3 yr old and 22 mo old. So they were already jumping on the tile squares when the sweetest lady came over and asked me (and my 9 month pregnant looking belly) if I wanted her seat. I told her I'd be fine but she insisted and then her nephew got up as well. We felt bad taking it but my sciatica was realllllly wanting a chair ;) We thanked her about 100x and took the seats. The kids did so wonderful. They start to get a bit antsy towards the end and Owen always thinks it's time to go when we turn to give others the sign of peace (ha!) but we pulled out the big guns - snacks with a few marshmallows in there and the rest of the service went well. Say what you will about letting little ones eat/color/look at books in mass but an hour is a VERY long time to ask them to sit still - and the books and coloring books are all religious based ;)
Father Matt read the Gospel about Jesus' genealogy and focused in on how He didn't come from a perfect line of people. He linked it together by saying that just like us He didn't come down into a squeaky clean world but nonetheless He did come here for US and that's exactly why anyone is worthy of His love. Of course, he said it oh so much better. It was beautiful and I found myself getting teary eyed (pregnancy hormones!) Beautiful, wonderful mass with a fun sprinkling of snow was the perfect way to start the Christmas season!
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| the way daddy takes a picture :) |
