Xmas Eve Part Two

Xmas Eve.
There are Xmas trees around, plenty of golden stars and Santas and colourful lights that brighten up the streets in the evening. Representations of the Nativity are everywhere. Everything is right in the place where it is suppose to be for this time of the year. Still, I cannot feel Xmas. Nothing seems to help me in getting in the “right” mood for this time of the year. (by “right” I mean that kind of feeling for which you just feel good, quite joyful and you enjoy all of the frenzy given by the shopping, holiday time and partying).
I’m sure that an average of 28 Celsius degrees, a new pair of flip-flops and my tan do not help in setting my mind onto the “Xmas mode”.
As tradition, we went to the Church on Xmas Eve.
I did not expect it to be SO different from what I am used to.
We drove half an hour to get to the Church. I almost did not even recognise it between the other buildings. It was a contemporary church (2 years old, that’s what I have been told) with a big but skinny Christian cross above the entrance. Inside, the walls were bare, a mix of cement and wood, with wide rectangular clear glass windows. There were fire exits on each of the main sides (the church had an irregular shape; it reminded me of a pentagon). There were 3 video cameras and four screens spread around the Church (one of them was outside in the courtyard). The mass was broadcasted live (the church holds an average of 350 people.. not that many).
On the screens you could read the lyrics sang by the choir (so that you could sing along). The priest was young and charming, with a foreign accent. He was kind and preached in an open minded, fresh way.
I was really surprised.
It was so different from my usual Xmas mass. I am used to medieval churches, with tall massive heavy walls, covered in paintings representing the life of Jesus Christ. There are marble altars dedicated to the main figures in Jesus’ life (the Holy Virgin or John the Baptist). There is always a wooden organ giving solemnity to the mass with its sound and flowers adorn the main altar. Candles and incense add mysticism to the sacral atmosphere. Once you step in the church you are welcomed by a referential and respectful silence. And you just follow it, you cannot help it.
Priest tend to be in their 60’s, with a traditional view and explanation of religion.
This is what I was used to.
I have lived now the modern, unusual (for me) side of religion.
I found it interesting.