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What is Midnight Mass? -

Midnight Mass is a tradition that sees Christians gather for a service on Christmas Eve.

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The "midnight" hour -

The practice of celebrating Midnight Mass is traditional in the Roman Catholic Church, although many churches now hold their "midnight" mass at an earlier hour. For example, churches of the Anglican Communion begin their services at 11:30 pm in order to allow young families to get home.

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Honoring the birth of Christ -

The tradition is believed to have its origins in the nativity of Jesus, and serves to honor the birth of Christ.

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A major church service -

Midnight Mass is followed by the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, and the Lutheran churches.

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Solemn High Mass -

The gathering is treated as a Solemn High Mass, which involves ceremony, singing, and symbolism.

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Holy Communion -

The Christmas Eve liturgy includes the celebration of Holy Communion.

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Advent wreath and Christ candle -

The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, and the white Christ candle are symbolic of the vigil.

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Dedicated to God -

By attending Midnight Mass, Christians dedicate the festive season to God.

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Egeria and Midnight Mass in Jerusalem -

Midnight Mass was first chronicled in the East by a European Christian woman called Egeria. A pilgrimage in the late 4th century CE took her to Jerusalem, where she observed a mysterious vigil at midnight celebrating the Christmas period. Pictured is the cover of a translation into English of 'The Pilgrimage of Egeria' (with her name spelled as Etheria), in which the observance is detailed.

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Pope Sixtus III -

The tradition of Midnight Mass in the Western world began around 430 CE under Pope Sixtus III.

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Santa Maria Maggiore -

The first recorded Midnight Mass in the West took place in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Saint Mary Major).

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Three masses -

Thereafter, the pontiff granted all priests the authority to celebrate three masses, or prospers, on Christmas Day, beginning with a midnight mass, a mass at dawn, and a third conducted during the day.

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Midnight at Christmas -

Subsequently, and following the long-held belief that Christ was born at midnight, the widespread practice of celebrating Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was adhered to by worshippers across the Christian world.

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Act of forgiveness -

Besides honoring the birth of Jesus, the custom of Midnight Mass lies in the personal act of forgiveness.

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Meeting the Savior -

This illustration depicts Catholics in the Kerry mountains in Ireland heading for church to celebrate Midnight Mass. The vigil is seen  essentially as waiting for the arrival of the Savior.

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Significant relevance -

During times of conflict, Midnight Mass took on an especially significant relevance. Here, French soldiers attend mass in an improvised chapel deep in the belly of Fort De Douamont in Verdun, which they were defending against German forces during the First World War.

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In times of conflict -

Likewise, during the Second World War many combatants took the opportunity wherever possible to celebrate Midnight Mass as best they could. This American aviator and his Woman's Army Corp colleague worship at a Catholic chapel in Mitchel Field, Long Island, before he is shipped out to Europe and she returns to duty on the home front.

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Peace in St. Patrick's Cathedral -

This photograph was taken on December 25, 1945 in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City as the congregation celebrated an especially poignant Midnight Mass, five moths after the end of the Second World War.

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Les Baux-de-Provence -

A young woman from Les Baux-de-Provence in France attends Midnight Mass in traditional costume during Christmas 1955.

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Mont Saint-Michel -

Residents of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy cram the interior of the island's abbey church during Midnight Mass in 1958.

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Midnight Mass in Bethlehem -

One of the most hallowed locations in which to celebrate Midnight Mass is the very place where many Christians believe Christ was born—Bethlehem. Here, Catholic clergy worship in the Grotto in the Church of the Nativity adjoining St. Catherine's Church.

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Midnight Mass at the Vatican -

For many Catholics, however, the most popular place to gather for Midnight Mass is St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Attending the vigil requires booking ahead at least two months.

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The Pope's Christmas message -

Mass in St. Peter's is always conducted by the incumbent pope, who uses the occasion to deliver a Christmas message.

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Midnight Mass at Westminster Abbey -

Westminster Abbey in London is another hallowed venue for Midnight Mass, in fact commencing at 11:30 pm. Attendance is by free ticket only. St. Paul's Cathedral is also a favorite setting. Again, midnight Eucharist is held at the earlier time of 11:30 pm.

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Midnight Mass at Canterbury Cathedral -

Midnight Mass at Britain's Canterbury Cathedral, one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England, is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

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Misa de Gallo -

Misa de Gallo is the Midnight Mass celebrated in many former Spanish-speaking Roman Catholic countries in Latin America and in the Philippines (pictured).

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Midnight Mass at Santa Maria de Montserrat -

In Spain itself, arguably the most popular Midnight Mass service is that held in Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine monastery perched on steep cliffs in the Montserrat mountain range. The Escolania de Montserrat (pictured), Europe's oldest boys' choir known for their angelic voices, enrich the celebration.

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Midnight Mass at Ludwigskirche, Munich -

Munich's Ludwigskirche becomes a focus of attention throughout Bavaria over the Christmas period when it hosts Midnight Mass in front of one of the largest altar frescoes in the world.

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Orthodox Church celebrations -

It's worth noting that the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas and other religious holidays according to the Julian calendar, where Christmas Day falls on January 7. 

Sources: (Christian Classics Ethereal Library) (Smithsonian Magazine)

See also: The appealing history of the Advent calendar

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