THE INNER WORKINGS...

Jesus and legumes.

So I'm officially in seminary. Never thought I'd say that. But I am. And so, by obligation, I have become a serious and studious person. Minus the serious. And maybe the studious.

Case in point: our last chapel.

Before class on Friday night, we always have a chapel service. On our last chapel of the year, we had a Christmas theme, complete with fake garland and Christmas carols. On the night in question, I was trying to put thoughts of the quiz I was about to take out of my mind so that I could focus on the words of the songs. We started to sing "Silent Night". I know the words by heart. Heck, I could even sing them in Spanish. But never did they have such a poignant meaning until that night.

Haley, my new partner in worship crime, and I were doing our best to be serious and studious, just like you're supposed to be in seminary. We were singing the song right along with everyone else. Verse one and two went off seamlessly. Verse three started out just as well. "Silent night, holy night. Son of God, love's pure light."And then came the fateful changing of the Power Point slide. And yes, in big, bold, black letters for the whole seminary to see, it said...

"Radiant beans from thy holy face..."

Beans. Yes. As in refried.

That's when we both lost it. Because we were in chapel, and because we must behave in chapel, I tried unsuccessfully to wipe the mental image of neon green (i.e. radiant) soybeans flying out of Baby Jesus' face. But, much to my chagrin, serious and somber flew right out of the back doors of the chapel, and Haley and I began to giggle like a pair of second grade girls. It was one of those "I'm-doing-everything-physically-possible-to-not-laugh-out-loud-but-my-body-is-shaking-uncontrollably" laughs.

As I stifled the giggles, I looked up to see if any one else in seminary has a sense of humor. Apparently not.

Here's to hoping they won't kick me out.

posted by Courtney @ 2:08 AM