December 21, 2012

Readers share their favorite Christmas memories

Receiving first holy Communion on Christmas morning is best gift ever

By Karen Okey (Special to The Criterion)

Historic Holy Trinity Church is located in the Haughville neighborhood, a blue-collar section of Indianapolis.

On Christmas morning in 1945, the brick church took on the appearance of a charming Currier and Ives scene.

An early morning snowstorm had transformed everything into a winter wonderland.

In my 7-year-old eyes, the church looked just like a majestic cathedral with candles glowing, the heady smell of incense in the air and beautiful flowers all welcoming the birthday of Jesus.

Our second-grade class was making our first holy Communion during the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Christmas morning.

I believe our class was the first and last in our parish to receive such a privilege on Christmas.

We little girls—dressed all in white, crowned with veils and wearing our first long stockings—felt very special.

The boys didn’t look like the same boys we went to school with every day. They were all spruced up in long blue dress pants, white shirts and ties. Their hair was all slicked down—not a cowlick in sight.

As I was walking down the aisle, a lady stepped out of her pew and hugged me tightly. She whispered in my ear that I looked like a Christmas angel.

Receiving Jesus for the first time and then being told that I looked like an angel made my little heart swell with joy.

I felt very close to heaven on that Christmas morning.

Because of the snowstorm, the photographer was unable to come to the Mass. That is the reason I have no picture of my first Communion class, but I don’t need one.

That beautiful Christmas morning in 1945 will be etched in my memory forever.
 

(Karen Okey is a member of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.) †

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