Memories of Christmas in Spain ( 2 )
To my Grandchildren
“Misa del Gallo” / "The Rooster’s Mass"
On Christmas Eve, December 24, most of the families in my town attended the Midnight Christmas Mass, called “Misa del Gallo” that means “The Rooster’s Mass”, because it begins at midnight. "Rooster's Mass" owes its name to the idea that a rooster would have been among the first to witness the birth of Jesus, and thus be the one to announce it.
I was very proud to be able to go to the Misa del Gallo with my grandmother and my two cousins Teresa and Isabel all holding hands. We attended mass at the Chapel of the Charity Sisters. The church parishioners and their families were dressed up and sitting proudly on the church benches. Every Christmas I had new clothes. My coat tailored by my father, and my white knee socks were spotless and pull up without wrinkles. My braids were perfectly combed with a tied bow in each one matching my dress. My Sunday black shoes shined as a mirror. I looked a little like Little Orphan Annie.
It was a great joy to see the lights in the church, and to hear the bells ringing and the choir of nuns and children singing with harmonious voices. The Mass was long, and some children could not make it and fell asleep, but NOT I! I thought it was fun to stay up that long with the grownups. My two cousins and I sat very quiet next to my grandmother, who was very proud of her three pretty granddaughters!
After Mass we all put on our coats, scarves and gloves again and my grandmother walked each one home. My grandmother did not mind it. In fact, she was singing in the mist of a freezing night while we were walking home.
Armonia Eddy ( Grandma Eddy)