Hanging of the Greens: An Open Letter of Thanks

Some of the young adults at Calvary organized the Hanging of the Greens Monday night, just to make sure our sanctuary is ready for Advent.

I dropped in after Church Council meeting and it was apparent there was everyone was having a lot of fun setting things up. I left them to their busy work soon after, but when I came in this morning it was apparent that WAY more fun was had after I left.

(Sigh. What’s new?)

After walking into the sanctuary Tuesday morning I rolled in the aisle for awhile, laughing. I decided an open letter of thanks to the group who decorated was definitely in order.

Dear Friends,

Thanks so much for showing up to decorate the sanctuary last night. It looked so beautiful when I left. Imagine my surprise, then, when I came in this morning to see it looking even MORE beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

Of course my favorite part was the tinsel around the pulpit . . . (do you think it will clash with my hair at all?). I believe it truly communicates the star quality of our church staff. If the Care and Upkeep Committee would work on getting a spotlight (and maybe a disco ball?) I think the look will be complete.

I also think the Santa on the Christ Candle is particularly appropriate as recent scholarship suggests that Jesus and Santa could, in fact, have been the same person. At any rate, it’s becoming more and more likely that Jesus actually did come to earth at the North Pole rather than in Bethlehem. (Who knew?) And, as we all know, Jesus looked especially fetching in red velvet.

I’d like to say again I am so grateful for the way this congregation interprets the gospel through visual media; what a gift to be part of such a creative and innovative community. I think I’ll sign off now so I can go set up the Christmas tree in the baptistery (blinking colored lights, I’m thinking).

Love you guys!

A(Note to readers: in case there’s any confusion, Santa and all tinsel will be removed before Sunday.)