I grew up in a Catholic household. Growing up, my mom took me to church every Sunday morning. I attended CCD every year until I made my confirmation in eighth grade. I was involved in my church's youth group from sixth grade until I graduated high school. And now I attend Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit university (shout-out to the Jesuits!). As you can see, the Catholic faith has always been a huge part of my life, and it certainly gave me some great memories of celebrating Christmas.

1. When my mom would dress me and my sisters in matching velvet dresses.

"But moooooooom! Do I have to wear stockings?" These were the worst! And I couldn't pick out my own dress because it had to match. At least I only had to wear them for an hour and a half.

And you can just tell from this picture that I, the baby, wanted no part of this. Set me free!

2. When I got to be an angel in the Christmas Pageant.

You had to be in second grade or older in order to have a role in the play. But if you were younger, you got to wear a white dress, a halo, and hold a candle while walking down the aisle before the play. And then you got to sit in the front row to watch. Minimal effort, but all the perks of being in the pageant.

3. When I played one of the Wise Men in the Christmas Pageant.

(That's me on the right.)

I was honestly really offended to be given this role because I was a girl, and I was the only girl playing one of the Wise Men. But then they told me I got that role because I was the only one who pronounced "frankincense" correctly and I was like, "Heck yeah! Girls are smarter!"

4. Being exiled to the basement if you showed up late to Christmas Eve Mass.

This was actually more fun. I think watching it on a screen took some of the pressure off of praying.

5. That time my cousin fell asleep during Christmas Eve Mass.

Yes, this was one of the times we were exiled to the basement. And no one cared that he fell asleep because he fell asleep in a position that made it look like he was praying. So when we all stood up and he didn't, it just looked like he was deep in thought.

6. When they changed the times of all the masses and we had no idea what to do.

To this day, we still can't agree on the best time to go. See below:

7. When I convinced my family to go to midnight mass the past two years.

It's just more fun. It's less crowded, so we're never exiled to the basement. We're going to be up that late anyway. Why not enjoy dinner first, and then not have to worry about getting up early in the morning?

8. When there's a slight change in the Christmas plans and you don't know when or where you're going to mass.

In 2006 my parents took us to New York City on Christmas Eve and we had to go to mass on Christmas Day. It was the worst. This year, we're celebrating Christmas at my sister's house and no one has mentioned anything about Mass. I'm nervous.

9. When the Advent Wreath reminds us of how close Christmas is.

I always look forward to seeing what week it is in Advent. When that pink candle gets lit, you know Christmas is just around the corner.

10. When my church puts up the nativity.

They just look so cool and lifesize!

11. And the first time I saw the phrase "Keep Christ in Christmas."

This phrase blew my mind. I thought it was the most clever saying anyone could ever come up with. Nothing can top this one.