Comments on: On Christmas Eve, Chef’s First Time

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:42:57 +0000

How was the church experience for you and Chef?

We went to church with my parents on Christmas morning. My husband hadn’t been in a church, save for weddings and funerals, in ~30 years. I go to church once a year, when we visit my parents, but only because the northern Baptist church they attend is theologically as liberal as the Unitarian church, and they’re heavy on the singing. One of the few things that I miss about church is singing with lots of people and the organ with all the stops pulled out.

By: zuzu

zuzu — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:01:21 +0000

One of the nice things about a Catholic Mass is that you basically know what’s coming, since they have to pack certain elements in each time (plus, they give you a printed guide to the liturgy). And if you don’t know when to sit, kneel or stand, there’s an old lady in the front row you can watch for cues.

By: norbizness

norbizness — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:03:31 +0000

I went to a few holiday services. Because my mother is hard-of-hearing, they would print a written version of the sermon for her, which I would look on. That would at least let me know when the interminable garbage was going to die down. I also would bring a smokebomb for E-Z escape in the event that any older churchgoers recognized me from 20 years before in Sunday School.

By: Kristjan Wager

Kristjan Wager — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:43:59 +0000

Are your folks Catholic? I thought they were the only ones who actually bought the transubstantiation stuff.

The Orthodox Church probably also do so.

Lauren, how did the Church going go? And let us know what you think of the book.

By: Anne

Anne — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 04:29:00 +0000

My sin this holiday: when my family had seated for dinner, they bowed their heads in prayer while I stood up and took pictures of them.

By: JC

JC — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 01:44:28 +0000

I decided to go with my parents to church as well, but I went wearing my anthropologist shield so I knew I would be ok.

I couldn’t help thinking about Foucault and his attention to the discipline of the body during the service — your mention of sitting and standing is what inspired me to comment.

I didn’t have a problem sitting and standing, but I didn’t kneel. I felt this little rush of transgressive excitement as I thought about everyone’s bodies being made to move in unison like soldiers.

By: Queenie

Queenie — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 03:30:29 +0000

Respectful and observant–thank you.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 03:24:54 +0000

Ooohhh, good book.

Merry Xmas!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 01:45:02 +0000

Are your folks Catholic? I thought they were the only ones who actually bought the transubstantiation stuff.

But then again, I guess you’re right — probably best not to bring it up altogether.

By: JoeBlu

JoeBlu — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 01:03:29 +0000

I’m in a near-identical situation. I don’t believe, but I’m going to Mass with my parents, and I’m going to be just going through the motions, waiting and wishing for it to be over.