Rockhills Christmas Collective // Catherine Herring

I grew up in down in Laredo and went to St. Peter the Apostle Church. Every Christmas we would get dressed up, and try with all our might to stay awake so we could go to midnight Christmas Eve mass with my Grandma. It was always a challenge among all the cousins on who was going to stay awake until midnight. It was so beautiful...the candles, the decorations, the family being together, the peace that the silence of the room brings. My Grandma died 2 weeks before Christmas, almost 16 years ago, and every Christmas Eve church service brings the memories of mass with her, and how special it was to be with her during the Christmas season. I miss her dearly, and the tradition of midnight mass.

One of my favorite memories about Christmas is the whole family coming together and sharing a meal together. During the year we get so busy that we forget to connect with our loved ones sometimes, but during the Christmas season we all come together. Just being together is so much for my family.

(If you would like to share some Christmas cheer, memories, encouragement, devotion, recipes, etc... with the Rockhills community, please email your entry to advent@rockhills.com)