I hope the Christmas services at your church went well. My church did an outdoor service for Christmas Eve, and I made a pretty significant mistake. I gathered our whole church on the dried up winter lawn in front of the church for a candlelight service. It was a beautiful evening. Well, it was beautiful other than one thing.
I had the ushers light people's candles at the beginning of the service, so they could see the song lyrics they were holding. The audience was an impressive sea of glowing lights. It really was amazing to see.
During O Holy Night, a glint caught the corner of my eye. An older man sitting near the front leaned forward to read his page, and a flaming drop of wax fell onto the grass. He didn't see it. Neither did his wife. My eyes exploded. I watched for a moment as the grass fire grew between the elderly couple's feet.
My mind was racing, "Are they going to notice? How long do I let this go before I stop and say something? Why didn't I buy fire extinguishers? It's candles and dry grass, what's wrong with me?" I quickly envisioned the whole lawn on fire, and everyone running for their lives. In the next moment, the old man's wife saw the growing flame, jammed her elbow into her husbands rib, and barked at him to put it out. He quickly stomped it out with his loafers. Crisis averted.
After the service, I was driving to my in-laws house to celebrate. As I drove down the state highway, a huge sign hanging over my lane was well lit with the words 'No Burn Day'. Good call Arizona.
I hope your holidays are filled with more wisdom than mine. Merry Christmas.
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