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Christmas Eve Ball

“Aundrea, this looks marvelous!” Pastor Greg watched her and her assistants arranging the baked goods on a long table with lavish red and green table linens.

“Thank you, Pastor.”

“Tonight, I’m just Greg the MC. Okay?”

“You look very dapper this evening, Greg.”

“Thank you. I guess I clean up alright. Speaking of which, did you bring something to change into? I’m really hoping you’ll stay for a bit.”

“I did and I will. I promise to stay for a while and enjoy myself but business first.”

“Of course, of course. Thank you. This is just breathtaking.”

“Thanks, Greg. Oh, Phyl, did you bring the holly arrangements?”

Phyllis itched her forehead with her sleeve. “Yes, I picked those up on the way over. Do you want them right now or after we get the food in?”

Greg moved on to the lighting. “How are we looking, Dave?”

“Completely on schedule, Greg. Everything will be up and tested by the time we open the doors.”

“Fantastic. Thank you for your expertise. I couldn’t pull this off without you.”

“I’m sure it will be great. I’m looking forward to it.”

“So am I, Dave. I think it’s going to be really memorable.” Greg said as he moved on to the table settings. “This looks so elegant, Meghan. I’m afraid people won’t want to get up and dance.”

“It’s all part of the ambiance, Pastor.”

“Remember, it’s just Greg tonight. I’m the MC for this event and nothing more.”

“You’ll always be a little bit more to me, Greg. Promise to save me a dance?”

“How could I possibly turn down an invitation like that?”

“I’m holding you to it.”

“Scout’s honor, Meghan. I will definitely save you a dance to thank you for these wonderful place settings.”

She smiled gleefully as he moved on to where the DJ was setting up her equipment. “Wow, this looks like Cape Canaveral, Amy. How do you keep track of all the bits and bobs?”

“That’s what they pay me the big bucks for, Pastor.” She said as she plugged wires into what looked like a hundred little holes. “I promise you this is going to be the best one yet.”

“I’m sure it will but I’m just Greg tonight.”

“You got it, Greg. Oh, can you help me with this one? It’s kind of big.”

“Glad to.” He grabbed the other side of the speaker and helped her move it onto a stand.

“Thanks. I should be able to get the rest alright. I think Meghan is trying to get your attention.”

“She is? Oh, thank you. Let me know if you need anything at all.”

Amy waved from under her soundboard as she continued to work.

“Meghan, is everything alright?”

“Oh, I wanted to show you this. Mrs. Kwock brought these little place settings. Aren’t they adorable?”

“Will you look at that? It’s like a tiny little basket with Christmas cards in it.”

“Look at that garland around the edge. It’s icing. She piped that and baked all of these little bitty greeting cards. Isn’t that amazing?”

“A lot of people have stepped up in a huge way to make this happen. Yourself included. You have brought a level of class and elegance to this, Meghan. I’m absolutely in awe of what you’ve done here.”

“I was hoping you’d approve.”

“I’m continuously amazed by the mastery of understatement in this community. Approve? I’m completely blown away. It’s like a fairytale.”

Meghan’s smile produced the most adorable dimples. She began laying out the tiny baskets on each place setting. Greg noticed that she was already dancing as she went about her work.

He smiled as he stopped to take a breath and look around. Everyone was putting on the finishing touches to make it utterly magical. The ball was really coming together just as he’d hoped. He could hardly wait for the doors to open.

“Pastor.” Phyllis called out to him. He walked over to the tables where the baked goods were tastefully arranged. “Have you heard from Jeb?”

“I saw some new pictures that were added to his site yesterday. It seems like he got to Wyoming Pass in time for his delivery. In this weather, getting back could take a long time. Why? Have you heard something?”

“No. Not yet. I just know that Aundrea isn’t going to stay long if we don’t know that he’s definitely going to show up.”

“He did promise to do his best to get back, but Old Man Winter might have something else to say about it. I suppose I’d better put my pastor hat back on for a moment and say that we need to have faith. Where is Aundrea now?”

“She went to her car to get her bag.”

“Yes, I told her she could use my office to finish up her paperwork and change into whatever she brought along.”

“Oh, good. I’ll go check up on her.”

“How about you?”

“How about me?”

“Are you changing into something for the ball?”

“Haha, wouldn’t you like to know?” She winked at him as she wandered off to find her friend.

He walked over to the door to peek outside. Cars were beginning to arrive with couples, singles and whole families. Greg checked the time on his phone. Nearly six o’clock. “Attention, everybody! We’ve got people coming. If anybody who is done can help anybody who isn’t?”

Everyone began scurrying around looking for things to help in finishing up. He took a quick look at everything from a variety of angles. It was perfect.

“Great job everyone. Thank you so very much for making tonight possible. Let’s have a quick prayer before we open the doors.”

Everyone stopped and bowed their heads where they stood.

“Lord, we ask you to bless this event and the people who helped to make it so very wonderful. We ask you to bless the lives of those who will come and enjoy the evening with us. We thank you for the opportunity to have this fellowship for the community and for the bounty of your unending blessings on us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray.”

Everyone replied, “Amen.”