The Advent Audition

“We’re sorry… we don’t have a place for you in our show.”

Those words of rejection just kind of hung in the air. Truthfully, I wasn’t devastated—I wasn’t exactly dreaming of Hollywood—but still… rejection stings.

A few days earlier my family had visited Disney’s MGM Studios, where, on a whim, I decided to audition for the park’s version of American Idol. It’s basically a reality-show-meets-theme-park experience, and for a moment I entertained the wild idea that I might become the next viral sensation… maybe even the next Susan Boyle!

The process was straightforward:

• Round one—sing whatever I wanted for a single judge.
• Round two—if I passed, sing a popular song for a panel of three.
• Round three—if by some miracle that went well, perform live that night in front of a few hundred people.

The real prize, though? Proving a long line of teachers and choir directors wrong about my “unique” vocal abilities.

So, after a couple of days of intense shower rehearsals and armed with my printed lyrics, I stepped into a tiny audition room. I stood on the gold star, faced the judge, and delivered my very own—let’s call it “creative”—rendition of Whitney Houston’s The Greatest Love of All.
In that moment, I had definitely crossed the border of my comfort zone. I felt more nervous singing to this one stranger than I ever do speaking to a room full of friends at church. When I finished my soaring 30-second performance, silence filled the room. I thought I’d nailed it. Honestly, I half-expected someone to hand me a recording contract… or at least upload it to YouTube.

Instead, after what felt like a very long pause, she smiled kindly and said, “There’s no place for you in our show.”

My heart sank for a split second—then quickly bounced back with unexpected relief. I was out… and I was okay.

As we step into the Christmas season, I’m reminded of another who heard similar words:
 “There is no place for you.”

John’s Gospel tells us that when Christ stepped down from heaven into our world, “the world did not recognize him, and his own did not receive him” (John 1:10-11). In other words, humanity looked at the Savior and said, “There’s no place for You in our story.” Isaiah had already predicted it: “He was despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3).
Friends, the world has rejected Jesus once—let’s not do it again this Christmas.

• Let’s make room for Him.
• Let’s put the spotlight where it belongs.
•  Let’s let our kindness, generosity, and worship tell the world that Jesus is the true star of the season.
• Let’s vote Him as our “idol” not with text messages but with lives shaped by His love.

You and I don’t need to be the star of Christmas.
Jesus does.
So let’s celebrate Him well this year.