Should there be a Christmas pageant during Mass?

[megdre]

Every year at the Christmas Eve vigil Mass, the children of the parish put on a short re-enactment of the Nativity. This is not in place of the Gospel or the homily; both of those are presented by the priest. Is this pageant a liturgical abuse?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Interrupting the Mass to allow children to put on a skit is not provided for in the liturgical rubrics and so should not be done. If you are unsuccessful in persuading the priest to end it altogether, you might suggest it at least be done after Communion during the time set aside for “post-Communion meditations” – after everyone has received Communion and been given sufficient time for personal prayer, of course.