|
Dec. 22: “Sorry I can’t [do what I’m scheduled to do Christmas Eve] because I have to [do this thing I’ve known about for months].” |
Fire safety concerns crowd out holy awe as entire congregation holds lit candles while singing Silent Night | Dirge tempo for “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”—all seven verses | Realization that you have NOTHING new to say about the babe in the manger | Child starts crying because she can’t get the Advent candle lit |
| Rush shipping on Christmas Eve candles | Reminders to extended family that you have to work on Christmas (Eve) [Yes. Again.] | Virus mows down the choir | Awkward children’s time moment when little Timmy wants to know what virgin means | “Blue.” “Purple.” “Blue.” “Purple.” |
| Last year’s angel halos found crooked and raggedy—but no time to make new ones | Fourth Sunday of Advent conflagration as month old wreath greenery catches a spark |
Free Space:Glimpses of God’s grace in the midst of it all |
Not getting paid time and a half for your holiday hours | Christmas cookies . . . and candy . . . and cocoa . . . and sugar crashes |
| Christmas Eve visitors surprised by the existence of a woman pastor | “It’s the thought that counts” gift from parishoner | Christmas Eve pizza (or taco or fast food) supper | Subversive efforts by musicians to sneak Christmas hymns into Advent services | Tacky decorations you must use because beloved parishioner donated/made them |
| Live farm animals for the nativity scene?! | Furnace and/or copier an/or computer breaks down | Non-essential community meetings planned by liturgically unaware organizers | Gentle explanation of why “Rudolph” is not an appropriate Christmas Eve solo | Frantic search for substitute baby Jesus |
*With thanks to my Young Clergy Women Alumnae (i.e. not so young clergy women) co-writers/commiserators: Dana Dickson, Mariclair Partee Carlsen, Alexandra Hendrickson, Iona Dickinson, Elizabeth Dilley, Kristen Aikman, Heather McCance, Mindy Bell, Rebecca Littlejohn, and Gia Hayes-Martin.
On Christmas Eve, Joanna Harader will be enjoying a holy candle-lit moment while also praying nothing catches on fire at Peace Mennonite Church in Lawrence, KS. You can read more contemplative Advent reflections on her blog: Spacious Faith.
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RevGalBlogPals 
you forgot stomach flu wreaks havoc in pastor’s family
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BRILLIANT.
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Waking up the 24th with laryngitis -two services morning- eve- and pharmacy closed early
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o so true, Lord in your mercy hear our prayers…
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‘on the fly’ explanation why ‘Jingle Bells’ is not an appropriate Christmas Eve ‘carol’ 🙂
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Fabulously funny (when we remember)
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The candles were actually red and green. “Look, for a change this year!” 😂
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