SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — As most people celebrate Christmas with presents, food and parties some opt for a more spiritual way to observe the holiday. 

At the Cathedral Church of Sacred Heart Monsignor and Pastor Larry Droll invited and welcomed parishioners to both the Vigil Mass and midnight Mass Christmas Eve.

"The word vigil means we're waiting, waiting for the birth of the Savior," said Droll. "And then the Midnight Mass, which does take place at midnight, it starts at that hour, and will be presided over by Bishop Michael Sis, the Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo."

The tradition is popular among those of the Catholic faith, a tradition Droll said dates back to the early 1960s where no evening Mass were held, and the earliest Holy Communion, in those times, could only start at midnight.

"It's the beginning of the new day, you might say, and I'm sure they wanted to celebrate the birth of Jesus as soon as they could on December 25th and so a lot of people came at midnight in those days," he said.  "We didn't have evening Mass, we didn't have mass throughout the day, and so it grew in popularity."

A morning Mass in English, along with one at noon, this one in Spanish was held on Christmas Day . 

"And the importance of this is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus who came into our world precisely to set us free from sin, to offer us a new way of life through the power of the Holy Spirit," he said.  "And this, this celebrates his birth into our world."

These celebrations incorporated Christmas music, prayer and preaching focused on the birth of Jesus Christ, according to Droll.

"It's a beautiful experience, but it's a little tough for families trying to keep their children awake at the midnight mass," he said.  

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/christmas-more-than-gift-exchange-midnight-mass-a-tradition-for-many/