Several years ago, one of our Hanging of the Green services did not go as planned. The Hanging of the Green service, which is a special evening service focused on decorating the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas, had its moments of imperfections.  

Somone lit a candle too soon.  

Someone recited the wrong reading.  

Someone misplaced the poinsettias.  

The pianist played the wrong carol.  

Christmas is rarely perfect. We try hard to create the perfect Christmas with decorations, presents, and meals. We have all begun decorating for Christmas only to find the lights broken, ornaments misplaced, or the tree covered in mold. Parents, we have all been there Christmas Eve, looking all over the house for that one present we hid because we cannot remember where we hid it.  

Still Christmas comes every year despite the imperfection.  

Such grace and mercy should give us hope this, Advent. Despite our imperfection, Christmas still arrives.