MIDNIGHT MASS The peaceful stillness of a winter night Blesses my journey to the chapel gate. I join the murmurous worshippers who wait To fill the shadowy church with candlelight. Small kindling flames that make the darkness bright Serve to express what we anticipate, The miracle for which we congregate, The love that comes to set our world to right. And holding up our candle we repeat The vows made for us in our infancy, Receiving in exchange that promise sweet, The prelude to the first Epiphany. Give us the hearts of children when we greet The Christ Child born to our humanity. -- Warren O'Connell, "Duet for Two Dubs, Poetry and Prose by: Warren O'Connell and Maureen Charlton," Swan Press Dublin (1997)