Father Balaswamy Barthini celebrated the Mass of the Nativity of the Lord at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Tonkawa Christmas Eve.
Evergreen wreaths placed in the church windows by Anne Evans and Myrna Fath symbolized the eternal God. Lighted Christmas trees arranged by Melinda Glasgow recalled the light of Christ brought into the world. The red of the ribbons and poinsettias decorating the church signified the blood shed by the crucified Christ, who came into the world to bring salvation to mankind. The crèche, prepared by Glasgow, remains throughout the Christmas season.
Preceding the Mass, the Christmas Choir, directed by Cecilia Tarrant and accompanied on the organ by Marjilea Smithheisler, presented a concert of carols, including “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime,” a Huron carol written by a 17th century Jesuit missionary to Canada, “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “The First Noel” and “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella.”
Cellist Ken Crowder performed “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and Randy Caughlin declaimed the “O Antiphons” with the musical background, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
Individual vocal selections included “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” and Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” sung by Tarrant; “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Carli Pendleton; “Prabhu Yesu Puttinaroju,” a carol from India, Father Balaswamy; “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” April Caughlin; and “Gesu Bambino,” Abby Davis.
As the choir sang “O Come, Little Children,” the procession of celebrant and servers entered the church with Mason Pando and Maria Caughlin bringing the figure of the Christ Child to the crèche and leading other children Miguel, Joaquin and Yesenia Pando. Father Balaswamy blessed the crèche and lighted the Christ Candle while the choir sang “Adeste Fideles.” Larry Swords then pronounced the Christmas Proclamation.
Lector Robyn Caughlin read from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (62:1-5) and lector Nicole Caughlin read from the Acts of the Apostles (13:16-17, 22-25). Father Balaswamy proclaimed the Gospel according to Matthew (1:18-25) and preached the homily based on that scripture. Cantors were April Caughlin, Audrey Caughlin, Abby Davis, Madison Davis, Carli Pendleton and Larry Swords.
Pendleton directed the Christmas Choir in singing “Night of Silence” while April Caughlin and Audrey Caughlin led the congregation in singing “Silent Night” simultaneously as the offertory hymn.
Phillip Caughlin and Robyn Caughlin served as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Crowder played “Panis Angelicus” as a Communion hymn, followed by the choir leading the congregation in singing “Seek Ye First.”
The service concluded with the triumphant “Joy ...
