Reverend Lucy

Welcome to this years Christmas Eve Service with me, Reverend Lucy, and it is nice to see so many new faces in the congregation tonight as we celebrate the reason for the season as the young people say, the birth of a rather special baby in a stable 2025 years ago.
As there are so many of us tonight, some i recognise as regulars, some i haven't seen for a long time and some i am meeting for the first time, my philosophy is generally as long as you don't nick the candles or drink the holy water from the font it's all good but it may be worth issuing a reminder of Church etiquette before we begin.
Firstly, unless you got too close to a candle and you are telling someone that their hair is on fire, we prefer silence during the service as people are here to listen to tales of that first Christmas and they will struggle to hear the message from the pulpit if all they can hear is you discussing how you are foregoing the Brussels Sprouts this year as they give you terrible wind.
Secondly, as it is December and very cold outside, headgear is fine to be worn inside the Church although wearing a turkey or Christmas tree shaped hat will probably obstruct the view of the person sitting behind you.
Thirdly, Mobile Phone's should be put on silent as the sound of the 'Ride of the Valkyries' echoing around the building during Hark The Herald Angel is very off putting for the organist.
Regular church goers know that during the service there will be some standing during certain parts. There are reasons they stand up or sit down during the service, they are not just playing a game of musical chairs so just follow everyone else's lead.
As this is the midnight Mass and unfortunately the Nativity Scene can drag on a bit, the usual human reaction is to nod off but unless you have a medical condition, such as narcolepsy, could you please at least try to stay awake and especially if you are a snorer.
Finally, when the collection plate comes around remember to put in and not take out and make sure that you don't walk out with more candles than you came in with and no matter how thirsty you are, the font water is not drinkable, many babies heads have been dipped into it and it will taste of a mixture of baby shampoo and cradle cap.