Prayer.
Thinking time.
What message do people really need to hear this Christmas?
How do we best connect with “God’s All Stars” who only venture into the church once a year?
Review Scripture readings. Is this the year for the Slaughter Of The Innocents? Maybe not? Luke doesn’t include it. How about Luke? Kind of nice year for Luke, innit?
Review lyrics to carols. Chose which verses you’re singing carefully. Some of that theology, yo. I mean. Do you want to be up there on the chancel belting out,
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
One year we forgot to delete this verse and as I was singing it, I caught my church secretary’s eye in the pews and she had SUCH a stricken, sympathetic expression and then I had to not laugh and she saw me trying to not laugh and she got tears of not-laughing in her own eyes and godawmighty. It was touch and go there for awhile.
Carefully plan and organize light cues with your usher(s). Have a back-up in case the 6 year old Bearer of The Light decides to get last minute stage fright. Appoint ONE SACRED KEEPER of the light controls at the back of the sanctuary and deputize them to tackle anyone else who tries to mess with “Silent Night.” That’s justifiable homocide, your Honor.
Staff gifts or cards.
Appreciation for lay leaders and volunteers.
Maybe drop off holiday refreshments for board or deacons or vestry meeting this week?
Tech run. Are the PowerPoint slides ready or almost ready?
Iron vestments.
If no vestments, remember to wear something with a belt for mic pack.
Candles ordered? Are they the right kind? Do the ushers know what kind we’re using this year so we don’t have two different sets put out?
Make sure the pointsettias in the sanctuary get watered. They’re shedding leaves.
Get lectors ready. Work with them to bring readings to life.
Put “office closed” outgoing messages on answering machines.
Make sure Christmas Eve and December 27 service times and locations INCLUDING STREET ADDRESS AND YEAR (seriously, have you seen how outdated some of those front pages are?) are listed on the FRONT PAGE of the website and on the church’s Facebook page.
Your own family stuff – yea, that can wait. They’ll understand (ha ha). But really, unless it’s children, it CAN probably wait. Celebrate Orthodox Christmas with your family and you get until January 7 to get your act together!
I know this is all out of order. It’s DECEMBER 21!! What am I forgetting?
Oh, and if you’re Pagan, Happy Solstice!
Wait, what’s a-matter with that verse? That it mentions sin? The idea of a curse? The masculine language? I love this carol because the harmony line is SO COOL. sing the harmony. You’ll feel better! [Naw, I think I’m good with that misogynist theology! LOL. Glad it works for you with the harmony. I just can’t. But I’m a UU, remember. We’re the heretics anyway. – PB]
Some of the rest of this.? Man, this is months late! We started laying up timelines for this back in September. The idea of some of this just happening now gives me anxiety.
And how about.. Clear your schedule so you have time for those last minute visits to the shut in or the person in the hospital, and for polishing that sermon? This is not the week for regular office hours, but for being out there in the world doing our work of visiting the sick and comforting the lonely and writing, writing the words.
Remember that Christmas is a season, not just one day. Try not to overstress yourself with the may do visits and concentrate on the must do visits. Those that you cannot get to before Christmas Eve can wait until after the 27th. They won’t hate you. I promise.
Take time to nurture yourself. Are you drinking enough water? Eating well? Try menu planning and get to the grocery store before Thursday so you can concentrate on service planning, not fretting about what to have in between services as you rush home for a cup of tea and a sandwich.
And finally, we’ll never be completely ready. The baby came when he was ready, not because his mother was. So relax, breathe and remember…it’s all about the baby.
We have a notebook where all the details are listed, because I’ve slept since last Christmas. What company carries the candles we need (and ordered back in November), adequate wine, etc. We also have a debriefing meeting after Christmas to review what worked and what needs attention for next year.
Sending everyone Peace and Grace!
I read “Iron vestments” and instantly got a mental image of chain-mail robes. Then I realized it was a verb, not an adjective.
I don’t omit that verse. It’s such fun to watch the adolescent boys snickering and elbowing one another when they start singing about “the curse!”