By all measures, Christmas Eve was a success around here. We had overflow crowds, high energy, and reverent spirituality.
Yet behind the scenes, several things worked to frustrate me. I forgot some important things I needed to say. I broke the part of my wireless microphone that clips to my pants. We forgot to prepare for a couple of contingencies. I even had a crisis of Christmas faith: should we go with the traditional candles at the end or do something totally unexpected? Of course, when you ask that question at 7 p.m. on December 24, it’s really too late to do anything about it.
But all in all, behind the scenes, I felt like we were something less than ideal. I wondered how it would look to all those first-time guests.
And then, just before the 9 p.m., I heard something in my mind. Whether it was me speaking to myself or God speaking something into me, I don’t know. But here’s what the “voice” said:
Talbot, do you think it’s more important that YOU look good tonight or that I look good?
That sort of puts it all into perspective, doesn’t it?
If God wants to use all our imperfections to shine a still greater light on his perfection, so be it.
Because — as much as this goes against my natural inclination — it is infinitely more important that He look good on Christmas Eve than it is that I look good.