[Magdalen] Feast.

[Jay Weigel]

Lutherans, of course, do not kneel at that part, but at Reformation
Lutheran on Christmas Eve the Prologue to the Gospel of John is done right
after communion in this fashion: tho church is darkened, it is read by the
pastor as the congregation stands in silence, and then the light is passed
by the acolytes from the Christ candle on the Advent wreath down to the
congregation, who are all holding candles. As the light is passed, "Silent
Night" is sung. It's very beautiful and effective.

On Mon, Dec 28, 2015 at 10:20 AM, Scott Knitter <scottknitter at gmail.com>
wrote:

> On Sun, Dec 27, 2015 at 10:55 PM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen
> <magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
> > My memory may be fuzzy, but the Prologue to John has served as
> > the Gospel for the Mass of Christmas Day.  In any case, it is, I  think,
> > the only time the deacon/priest stops the proclamation at, "and the
> > Word was made flesh..." and he and the entire congregation goes
> > down on one knee for awhile before finishing (In the RCC).  I
> > have always been very impressed by this for it acknowledges the
> > very essence of Christmas.
> >
> > Of course the Tridentines still do the "Last Gospel" at the end of
> > every Mass, complete with the genuflection.
>
> We normally "hit the deck" at "And the Word was made flesh," but this
> year we were short-staffed (my dear partner blew off Mass despite my
> pleadings; I've forgiven him but was very angry about it yesterday)
> and another acolyte was AWOL. So we were all multitasking. I did see
> the celebrant, standing at the sedilia, genuflect. Some parishioners
> might have as well, but we hadn't reviewed this before Mass so no one
> in the Gospel party did. Each year we have to sort out who does and
> who doesn't. As subdeacon, I wouldn't, because I'm holding the Gospel
> book; the crucifer wouldn't, either (partly because it's hugely
> awkward) and neither would the two acolytes with candles who attend
> the crucifer. I think the deacon, MC, and thurifer would genuflect and
> so would the celebrant and anyone else left back in the sanctuary, and
> the people. We pretty much missed it this year. Perhaps that'll appear
> in the next airing of grievances. But attendance was very low indeed
> yesterday, so maybe not.
>
>
> --
> Scott R. Knitter
> Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois USA
>