Celebrating Christmas

                One of the fun things senior missionaries are able to do is to enjoy learning about the culture, values, and beliefs of the people in the areas where they serve.  We participated in many cultural activities during our mission in England, including Midnight Mass at the majestic Gloucester Cathedral of the Church of England two weeks before we were released to come home.  We especially loved singing Christmas carols with the large congregation and the way it brought us all together.  

                This Christmas, Pat and I decided to attend Midnight Mass at the large Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, only a few blocks away from Disneyland.  This was formerly the Crystal Cathedral, built by the Reverand Robert Schuller, well-known televangelist of the Reformed Church in America.  His famous “Hour of Power” was a top evangelical broadcast for nearly 30 years.  The demographics of Orange County have shifted dramatically in recent years, and funding at the Cathedral began to diminish. The growing Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, meanwhile, was looking for a new home.  When the Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in 2010, the entire church campus was purchased by the Catholics and renamed the Christ Cathedral Parish.

                We arrived early, just as a Vietnamese Mass was ending, and watched as the church emptied and then filled again with families. We enjoyed listening to the music of the choir and orchestra, which featured “Gloria“ and other beautiful pieces by Antonio Vivaldi.  We were surprised and pleased to see Mack Wilberg’s name on the large screen as the choir sang his composition of “The Sussex Carol,” which the Tabernacle Choir frequently sings.

                The Priest gave a powerful message about keeping Christ at the center of Christmas, saying those who attended a Midnight Mass were likely “Merry Christmas” people instead of “Happy Holidays” people.  He warned against minimizing the significance of religious holidays and traditions and also invited all present to be willing to speak out and share their religious beliefs.

                We felt great respect for those who attended and participated, including those who stood in long lines to partake of sacrament wafers given by the priests.  Far fewer took sips of juice from the common chalice which was passed.  
                 We were glad that we could attend and begin our Christmas Day with so many who had come to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

-- Don--


Here are some other highlights of our Christmas season in Southern California....

Christmas began in earnest about 3 weeks early as the packages began to
arrive at the Mission Office for all our young elders and sisters.

The cabinet that normally holds missionary packages until they are
picked up soon began to spill out in every direction.

A week before Christmas....

There were lots of happy missionaries on Christmas Eve Day!

 

Every package and card means so much to a missionary!

And the work of the office went on as usual.

Since Christmas Eve was Preparation Day for the elders and sisters,
the senior office couples put together some Christmas treats
for them to enjoy as they came to pick up their packages.

Lots of missionaries and lots of fun.

Ho, ho, ho and Merry Christmas.

One of our missionary's mothers sent a jar of homemade jam for
her son to share with each of the senior couples. How cool was that??

The Anaheim 4th Ward Christmas Breakfast was so much fun!
And they are so kind to their missionaries. We received a big bag
of Christmas goodies from the members of the ward
(and so did both sets of elders).

Pajamas all around.

Welcome to Whoville.

Santa wasn't the only surprise visitor.

Three grinches and Jackie.

Grinch food.

On the Saturday before Christmas, we took our good friend Jackie
to see the lights at the Los Angeles Temple and Visitors' Center.

The Los Angeles Temple grounds. 

Taking down the Christmas decorations in our apartment
after Christmas took about 5 minutes. There are some advantages
to celebrating Christmas in the missionfield, LOL:)

It was a wonderful week. Thank you to our family and friends who sent cards, messages and packages. We felt so blessed and humbled by your love and caring. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!