These next two days can go unnoticed to those who make it possible. In this post, I offer a few sentiments to friends who are fellow church musicians and who serve in various liturgical roles in their parish.

During a concert for the Poor in Saint Peter’s on December 6, Pope Leo XIV shared these sentiments about music during the Christmas Season.

It is not a coincidence that the feast of Christmas is very rich in traditional songs, in every language and every culture. It is as though this Mystery could not be celebrated without music, without hymns of praise.

The Holy Father reminds us of the importance of music in the Christmas experience, as hundreds will come to Church over the next two days. For many of them, it will be their annual visit, and we welcome them with warm hearts.

Last Saturday, we visited my family in Vallejo and decided to attend the Vigil Mass at Saint Catherine Parish. Being the last weekend before Christmas, it was packed with people. It was surprisingly also a Simbang Gabi Mass, a devotional series of nine Masses rooted in Filipino culture as preparation for the Christmas Season. Being actively engaged from the pew brought back my childhood memories of watching my grandmother play her tambourine with the choir during this time of the year. While the Christmas lights were all on and the trees were lit, I still knew it was Advent, yet I could sense the explosion of the Christmas Season was only days away. During the Mass, I thought of all my musician friends.

In my undergraduate years, I racked up around eight Masses a weekend and a few funerals throughout the week. At times, there would also be a wedding on the other side of the city. Then, December 15-16 would hit, and the marathon to Christmas would go into full gear, with Masses as early as 6am or as late as 7pm. It was a rush to Christmas Day.

When Christmas Eve finally arrived, I found myself with three Masses and another two on Christmas Day. It was a stressful day filled with an adrenaline rush. It was something I was accustomed to throughout my young adult life.

Then, I became a father, and life pivoted. A few years ago, I was able to participate in only one Christmas liturgy with my family. It was such a new experience. I felt a little guilt for not being so busy, but now life has new memories ahead of me with my growing sons and the magic that these tender years bring.

I wanted to take some time before the Christmas rush and offer a few thoughts of encouragement to my fellow liturgical ministers this Christmas.

1. Thank you

You have worked hard these past few weeks to prepare for Christmas while also providing music for funerals and other gigs outside the church. Then Christmas Day comes, and in 24 hours, the big chorale pieces have concluded, the brass quartet has packed their instruments, and you are closing the doors of the church while the incense still lingers in the building.

All that hard work of planning, practicing, and coordinating doesn’t go unnoticed. As someone who will bring my family to the pews this year, I want to say thank you! Thank you to all musicians, choir members, cantors, altar servers, Mass coordinators, and people in charge of art and environment: THANK YOU. Thank you for your service to your parishes & to the Christ Child of Bethlehem. Christ came for you. I hope you can take the time to sit before the manger scene in gratitude for the gift of Christmas.

2. Remember to take a deep breath.

Often, the stress of this ministry produces burnout quickly. Take a deep breath.

Please take care of yourself in whatever liturgical function you perform over the next two days. And that includes physically, mentally, and spiritually. Stay hydrated and take some time for yourself in between Masses to rest. Remember to pray even if for but one moment. While that is obvious, it bears repeating, as we can always use a reminder.

3. Your ministry is itself worship.

At the Concert for the Poor, Pope Leo XIV said:

Music is like a bridge that leads us to God. It is capable of transmitting feelings, emotions, even the deepest stirrings of the soul, lifting them up and transforming them into an imaginary stairway connecting earth and heaven.

As liturgical ministers, we have the privileged place of creating worship for the hundreds who will come to Church for their annual visit. As church musicians, our music will stir their hearts and move them to reconsider the love of God.

While we think about the next song or hymn, gauge the length of the Preparation of Gifts, coordinate choir members so they can all receive communion, please remember that God sees your loving heart. It is a heart that desires to serve him. At the end of the day, it is not a job. It is a ministry infused by love. I appreciate you!

Merry Christmas!