[bboop]

Thanks. I think I will look into the liturgy committee. We did carols before the service, and maybe Silent Night and candles would disrupt the Mass format. We did have candles at Easter.

Just trying to figure out which things are Protestant, which are things that the Protestants have borrowed from the Catholic church and I would find there too.

[kosta50]

Just trying to figure out which things are Protestant, which are things that the Protestants have borrowed from the Catholic church and I would find there too

Of course. But do remember that the Catholic Church is a communion of almost two dozen different church traditions (both eastern and western).

[kosta50]

bboop, I just saw the Solemn Midnight Mass in the Vatican (from last night) and it did not show the church in darkness or any candlelight other than the ususal at such events.

I would say: if in doubt, see what is done in the Vatican. Chances are greater than not that that's the way it should done in the Latin Rite.

I must also say that the fixed part of the liturgy is remarkably similar to the Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Churches (petitioning God to accept the gifts and make us worthy, the Holy, Holy, Holy, the Creed, the consecration of the pre-sanctified Gifts, the Lord's Prayer, and the Holy Communion), in that exact order.