Ray stood before the choir, having completed rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service. “You were all marvelous, simply marvelous,” he said, enthusiastically, as he admired the choir members dressed in Christmas red robes. He nodded toward the seamstress, whose sewing magic had produced numerous robes and vestments. “Mildred, you have outdone yourself.”
The choir members broke into appreciative applause. “My pleasure.” Mildred Watson beamed at Ray. “It’s a labor of love.”
“I have a special announcement.” Ray smiled at the group, their faces attentive with expectation. “KNSL will be filming our Christmas Eve service. Buck will provide the instructions.” Ray waved his long arm toward his friend, who he swore was blushing at all the attention.
Buck blinked rapidly. “Hello, everyone. All choir members, altar servers, and anyone else on stage needs to be here by four o’clock. The film crew from KNSL is bringing equipment. Everyone needs to be dressed by then, so the TV station’s technicians can get the lights set up. Anyone have questions?” He looked over the assembled group.
Ryan raised his hand. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but since it’s Christmas Eve, I’d like to run through the service again, particularly the music.”
Ray looked over at the excited faces. “I’m not opposed to rehearsing again, if you all are available.”
To his amazement, voices responded in unison, “Yes!”
Once rehearsal was completed, Ray corralled Buck for a private conversation.
“I want to review this one last time. Immediately following the prayer of deliverance, and while they’re still filming, I’ll tell the congregation I have a special message. I’ll step off the stage and ask Susannah for her hand.”
Buck had tried not to show his hesitancy when Ray informed him of his plans to ask Susannah to marry him on live TV. He refrained from asking Ray about his haste to marry a woman both he and Jeff had mounting doubts about. Buck figured their concerns would fall on deaf ears. However, he was startled by Ray’s decision that the KNSL staff wouldn’t know about the proposal until it happened.
Buck held up an arm. “Can I ask you something?” He had an inkling of what was motivating his friend to take such a permanent step so soon.
“Sure.”
“Why now, at Christmas?” Buck asked, giving Ray a cheerful grin.
Ray hesitated, looking around the room to be certain they were alone. “The message of the Gospel, and you are familiar with this, is that the birth of Jesus Christ brought light into a world consumed by darkness. Susannah is not a Christ figure; however, she has brought a shining light into my life, and I wish to share it with her. I love her with all my being.”
“Well, Ray, I do see the positive effect she has on you,” he said, not altogether truthfully. Buck took a deep breath; it wasn’t often that he challenged Ray, but if he wasn’t going to present his concerns, he at least felt he needed to make a decisive point about the broadcast itself. “You’re sure KNSL won’t think you’re using the broadcast for personal gain?”
“The proposal will be its own entity, after the service is complete. If they balk after the fact, I will take full responsibility with KNSL. You have my word.”
Contemplating Ray’s words for a moment, Buck looked Ray square in the eye. “You’re the boss. Maybe this kind of personal moment shared with viewers is exactly what we need.”