Rediscovering Christmas: Playing Reindeer Games

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:12 NIV






When we lived in Oregon we traveled down a winding road to get our home. On one particular evening as we came home after dark, the car headlights lit up a deer crossing sign. I remember Riley, my son, asking what the sign was about. I recall telling him it was a sign that was warning us that there were deer in the area and we should be watching as to not hit them. That teachable moment seemingly slipped by as the conversation ended.

I don’t remember how long before the next event took place: We are driving down the same road and the headlights hit the sign again. It was long after the lights slipped past the sign that Riley cried out, “Dad, Dad! I saw one!”

I replied, “What did you see?”

He responded, “A deer, a deer!”

Now I had not seen a deer, but not wanting to doubt him I asked, “What was the deer doing?”

He paused for a moment and then like any child born in Indiana he replied, “He was playing basketball!”

I immediately began to laugh and this began a game that we now play nearly every time we see a deer crossing sign. It is our reindeer game.

I have apparently been witness to deer playing basketball, cards, monopoly, yahtzee, soccer, football, ping-pong, swimming, hockey, bowling, and my personal favorite – hop scotch. I guess there really is no end to the games that reindeer can play.

I chuckle every time I am alone in the car and see a deer crossing sign. I wonder what the deer might be up to that I can’t quite see. That got me thinking about the signs that we miss, or more importantly the joy that we miss when take the signs for granted that are a part of our everyday lives.

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

There was a sign 2000 years ago and many missed it.

It was subtle.

It was shared with a few shepherds and they shared it with others, but

like so many amazing events in life, with time, the wonder and amazement lessened.

A baby was born, a sign was given. The shepherds were told. They looked for the sign and discovered Joy at the sight of the newborn.

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

The star that the Magi followed certainly shown in the sky above the shepherds that night but it took an angel from God to point out the sign to them.

Life is a continuous series of adjustments. Life is busy. Sometimes the most important details are lost in the midst of being busy.

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Babies are amazing. They do absolutely nothing and we watch with joy for hours. I believe it is a picture of true worship: God does not need to do anything more in order to receive our worship. And yet He does. He shows up in person in a manger to be with us. How can we not respond in worship and adoration.

As you have heard the Christmas story this year, for the first time or for the 50th time,

Did you see the signs?

A baby is born and God is with us.

Do you have the Joy that comes from knowing God’s son?

Have you made the adjustments to your life to allow room for Jesus?

Have you given God the adoration and worship He is due at all times good and bad?

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Do you have the Hope that God offers through Faith in Jesus Christ?

See the signs,

Believe the miracle.

Receive the God’s Gift given this Christmas season.

The signs are all around.

Don’t miss the celebration?

Merry Christmas!

Rediscovering Christmas: The Grinch

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”







In a recent national survey, more than 62 percent of respondents said watching a holiday movie is a tradition in their home, making it a more popular tradition than baking holiday cookies or hanging stockings. Additionally, respondents felt shopping (35.4 %), traveling (20.5 %) and hanging Christmas lights (17.9 %) were the worst part of the holidays, which is perhaps why so many identified with The Grinch from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," who was voted the #1 holiday movie character (18.6 %). The bad-tempered Grinch beat out unforgettable characters like Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" (13 %) and even Kris Kringle from "Miracle on 34th Street" (13 %).

The Grinch is the popular cartoon character created by Dr. Seuss. He first appeared in the 1957 children's book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! In 1966, Ted received a call from his old friend Chuck Jones, now a successful animator. Jones convinced Ted to adapt How the Grinch Stole Christmas! for television. It was a painstaking task, as Jones used the full-animation technique that had been popular at Disney. The idea behind full animation is that one could follow the story, with or without the benefit of narration. With full animation, a half-hour television program would require approximately 25,000 drawings—over 12 times as many drawings as most animations of equal length.

The length of the story, the color of the Grinch, and the development of a script that did not end on a trite or overly religious note also had to be addressed. Again, Ted was always very particular about colors, and it took some convincing by Jones for Ted to concede to paint the Grinch green with evil red eyes. The songs were a collaborative effort between Ted and composer Albert Hague. The result had the Grinch forever immortalized by a popular television special, produced by MGM and directed by Chuck Jones. The voice of the narrator and of Mr. Grinch was unforgettably delivered by the legendary Boris Karloff.

Since then The Grinch has become a Christmas standard, and parodied or featured outside the Dr. Seuss brand frequently around the holiday season. The character is referenced by the media often in instances where a holiday display is ruined by vandals, or holiday burglaries are committed. Outside Christmas, the term "Grinch" is synonymous with "grouch", as in someone that shows great disdain for something wholesome.

The Grinch carries a theme common with other Christmas classics like The Christmas Carol by Dickens and the grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge or the film It’s A Wonderful Life and the despised Mr. Potter. But this character is so much more fun, more green, more fuzzy, more silly, that it couldn’t possibly be about me.

As with seemingly all classic Christmas cartoons there is a great moral lesson:
Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

Now I am all for teaching good morals, but never forget that truth is not relative. Truth is a gift from God that is absolute.

In How the Grinch Stole Christmas! remember there was a problem. Dr. Seuss had a concern that the story not end in a way that was trite or overly religious. So, the script called for a star to rise to the heavens (rather than drop from the heavens) in order to emphasize the power of the heart.

Let me repeat that: concern that the story end in a way that was not trite or overly religious . . . so, the script called for a star to rise to the heavens (rather than drop from the sky) to emphasize the power of the heart.

I guess here is where my problem with the world’s view of Christmas (and that includes Dr. Seuss!):

Christmas no matter how you want to dissect it - will always be about the celebration of the birth of Christ. Not a celebration of the human spirit. Not a celebration of the good of humanity. Not a celebration of generosity.

During December 2008 in Washington DC there was a bus advertising campaign that was paid for by the American Humanist Association. (Fox News 11-12-08) The thought provoking campaign borrowed from the holiday song “Here Comes Santa Claus” and asked and then answered a simple question, “Why believe in God? Just be good for goodness’ sake.”

Following the campaign, a competing campaign was launched. It will covered the Washington DC busses with the following message presumably from God, “Why believe? Because I created you for goodness sake. Signed God.”

Do we really think that change will come as a result of a slogan on a bus?
Or in the Grinch’s case as the result of a bunch of ‘Whos’ singing on Christmas morning?

Do we as Christians really believe that change is that easy?

Did Dr. Seuss have it right? Could we simply have a change of heart all on our own?

God has been at work changing people’s hearts since the beginning of time. God used radical means to get our attention. A virgin gave birth. A sinless life was lived.

Jesus was radical as well in His messages. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount changed all perspectives for all times: The least became the most. The last became first. The lost became found. The forgotten remembered. Jesus brought a message of change and of hope.

Do not forget that the power to change is not found with in you, But with Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! I Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Shortly before his death, when Dr. Seuss was asked if there was anything left unsaid, he pondered the question and finally responded: “The best slogan I can think of to leave would be: ‘We can . . . and we’ve got to . . . do better than this.’”

Church we must do better than offering slogans and good morals. Church we must be willing to be people of change. Change will not come to this world, this community, our neighborhoods, or our homes, until we first change ourselves.

Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. I Corinthians 5:16-20 The Message

Christ’s final words on this earth implore us to go tell others the good news.

Why?

So that others might know what we know, Behold all things are new!

Even for a Grinch, even for me, and yes even you!

Rediscovering Christmas: Frosty the Sowman

For Frosty the snow man had to hurry on his way, but he waved goodbye saying,

“Don’t you cry, I’ll be back again some day!”

Walter Rollins







Interestingly enough, like so many other songs about winter, “Frosty, the Snowman” has become well-established as a Christmas song, even though Christmas is never actually mentioned. However, some versions of the song change the last lyric to ‘I’ll be back on Christmas Day!’

It has been covered by many artists, including Jimmy Durante, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Conniff, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Beach Boys, and countless other musical acts including a 2005 recording of the song by actor Burt Reynolds. Gene Autry’s original recording reached #7 in 1950, Perry Como’s #74 in 1957, Johnny Mathis’ #29 in 2003, and Kimberly Locke’s #1 in 2005.

In 1972, the writer of the song admitted in an interview with Life magazine that initial concept for Frosty the Snowman was written as a cautionary tale pertaining to the scare of "nuclear winter." Initially it was said that nuclear fallout mixed with snow and children's dreams of a world without war were what brought Frosty to life, but the publishers and Gene Autry thought that the song would have more commercial appeal as a children's Christmas song and the idea was dropped.

To be clear, the song is about a snowman who comes to life thanks to a magic hat some children found; he then had playful adventures before he "hurried on his way". Near the end of their adventures together, the children are saddened by Frosty having to hurry on his way for the last time. However, Frosty reassures them by exclaiming, "I'll be back again someday."

Gene Autry recorded Frosty the Snowman in 1950 and it proved to be the monster Christmas hit of 1950, and became a part of popular culture.

So how did it get to be so popular?

This particular Christmas Cartoon Classic has its roots in a song and the song might never have been written if not for the success of another Gene Autry song in 1947 Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane). To that end, “Here Comes Santa Claus” led to the even greater success of “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer” in 1949.

It was the commercial success of Rudolph that inspired a team of writers, Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson, to sit down to write a new holiday song. "Frosty the Snowman" was in many ways an imaginative echo of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Like Rudolph, Frosty was a magical new Christmas character who evoked both delight and sadness. Frosty brought much joy to the children who put the old silk hat on his head, thus bringing him to life.

'Frosty the Snowman’ went on to inspire the Golden Book of 1951 adapted by Annie North Bedford and illustrated by Corine Malverne. The book tells of a snowman that comes alive and takes the children who created it on sledding and ice-skating adventures. But Frosty melts when he and the children go to the village to see the shop windows. Golden Books kept Frosty in the mainstream long after the song was hit.

In 1954, a three-minute animated short illustrating “Frosty, the Snowman” was created and broadcast on television for the first time. Then in 1969, Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass took their animated talents and produced a TV special based upon the song. Unlike their previous puppet animation, the pair decided to venture into traditional drawn animation and aimed for the ‘look’ of a Christmas card. To that end, they hired Paul Coker Jr, who at the time was working as a greeting card illustrator. With the voice talents of Jimmy Durante (narrator) and Jackie Vernon (Frosty), the production was not done on the cheap and it showed. The result was a holiday special that placed Frosty in the heart of millions of children over the decades. “Frosty” is still broadcast regularly during the holiday season.

So, what attracts so many to Frosty?

Frosty’s charisma alone solidifies him as an enduring TV character, right up there with all-time greats such as Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Charlie Brown (1965), and The Grinch (1966).

He is magical and does things that no snowman has ever done before.

He also gives children the gift of laughter and play.

But I believe what attracts us is his promise to return at the end of the tale that sparks in us all the anticipation of an annually renewed friendship with the jolly soul.

It is this promise that I want to expand on today.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:30-33 NIV

2000 years ago for the countless Jews in and around Jerusalem life was pretty peaceful. The Romans had brought peace to the region, but the Romans still ruled over them and they longed for the prophecies to come true about the King of Kings that was to come and rule again like David. They too hoped for peace.

Unfortunately for most of them, they missed their hope for peace. They missed the magic in the manger that night in Bethlehem. They missed the One who came to bring peace and life everlasting.

As the infant, Jesus, grew in wisdom and stature many came to follow Him and believe in His teachings. He spoke and taught and did things that no one else had done. He brought hope to those who had lost all hope. He brought second chances to those who had been cast aside. He brought the promise of something greater. He brought the promise of peace.

But at the peak of all this, He was taken away and wrongly convicted. He was put to death on a cross and buried in a borrowed tomb. The good news of Christmas is the same good news of Easter: Christ conquered death and sin for you and me. He returned from the grave and promised the same victory for you and me. After his resurrection, He returned to Heaven.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Acts 1:10-11 NIV

This Christmas season, you will, no doubt, countless times hear the song, Frosty the Snowman. This season as you listen to the song, listen to the promise:

”He waved goodbye saying, Don't you cry, I'll be back again some day.”

In this time of unrest and doubt, in this season of expectation, rest assuredly on the promise that begins with God coming to be with us. Encourage one another and find hope in these words:

This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11 NIV)

In other words, Don’t you cry, for God is with us and Christ will return again some day.

Rediscovering Christmas: Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer

“We’re just a couple of misfits. Trying to fit in”








Like many Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is one of my favorites. I like the part of the story about all of the misfit toys (a toy train with square wheels or a squirt gun with jelly, or an elephant with pink spots, or perhaps even a “Charlie-in-the-box”) and of course the misfits – Rudolph and Hermey the elf who wants to be a dentist. I can relate to the misfits because most of my life I have seemingly been a bit of a misfit.

Now I have a theory about where all the toys on the Island of Misfit Toys come from. I believe these toys aren’t actually from the North Pole, but rather they are the sad victims of countless parents’ poor attempts at assembling toys without instructions on Christmas morning. Perhaps as a result of watching these misfits, or a childhood trauma, or a lesson learned as an adult, I have become an assembly instruction aficionado. I love instructions, or as my son puts it, “Where are the ‘Questions’?” I guess he has witnessed one too many instruction-less assemblies!

I believe many of us struggle with Christmas and all the associated joy. We struggle like a misfit trying to fit in while those around us relish in a season of merriment and joy. I propose to you this day that our problem is not with the product of Christmas, but rather we have failed to properly read and follow the instructions.

So let’s review the instructions given us to assemble a merry Christmas:

Step 1A Find and follow the instructions
This seems obvious, but it needs to be said. Remember the trouble shooting guide for a desk lamp says, “1) Have you checked to be sure the light bulb is good? 2) Is the lamp turned on? 3) Is the lamp plugged in?” All seems obvious, but you know someone didn’t read them. Don’t let that someone be you this year.

Our instructions will be found in the gospel of Luke in the second chapter.

Step 1B Find the important part.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15-16

A Merry Christmas begins with a baby in a manger. This is the most unlikely place to find a Merry Christmas for some, but this is no ordinary baby. Sometimes the most unlikely part is the most important part.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

This baby was born to die so HE could be our Savior. This baby was the anointed one, our Christ. This baby is Lord of all (including us). A more joyous celebration cannot be found. The main focus of Christmas must be sought carefully and diligently or it will be missed.

Sometimes the most important part can be lost because it is so small. Christmas is found at a lowly stable in Bethlehem. You would miss it unless you were following the directions.

Step 2 Find someone else to help you celebrate.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:17

The whole reason for the season is found in the birth of Christ, but part of the joy of the season is sharing the news (not presents or fruitcakes). The shepherds increased their joy by spreading the good news of Jesus' birth. Keeping the story of Christmas to ourselves will rob us of the greatest opportunity we have to discover true joy and to have a Merry Christmas.

Step 3 Think it through

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:18

The true meaning of Christmas gets lost in the hustle and bustle of adding to the season things that distract us. The message was plain to those shepherds that night and it struck wonder in the hearts of those that heard their tale. The message was simple and uncomplicated.

Take time and read the story of the first Christmas and listen to the Word of God. Take the time to sit, relax and meditate on the wonder of the true story of Christmas. If by focusing and listening to the story we can rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, we will indeed have begun to assemble a Merry Christmas.

Step 4 Don't throw anything away!

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

First, understand "kept" to mean that she remembered the events of that night and the things connected to the birth of the Savior. She meditated on those things. Every detail that surrounds Christmas is important and must not be forgotten. If it is lost then our Merry Christmas is just a poor facsimile of the original. Have you ever looked at the finished product and compared it with the picture on the box?

They do look similar but if not constructed carefully there will be tell tale differences that will be evident in the copy. If you try to skip steps, the parts left over testify to a sloppy job or poor assembly, or missed instructions.
Secondly, "kept" can also signify "to observe or to celebrate". As we observe the Christmas season, let us center our traditions and celebrations around the things that remind us of that blessed event or the important part.

Step 5 Don't stop until the job is done.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them Luke 2:20

Many things are left unfinished simply because we did not take the time to finish them. The shepherds returned to their job and their responsibilities with a different attitude. They may have gone back to the same boring job but they were not the same men. The joy of the first Christmas had changed them and they shared the story of what they has seen with all they encountered.

Have you allowed Christmas to make a positive difference in your life? Do you return to work after Christmas, praising God for the gift of his Son and rejoicing in a Merry Christmas?

The steps to assembling a Merry Christmas are clear but they are not always easy. It takes some effort to assemble a Merry Christmas. It certainly took some effort on the part of the shepherds and Mary.

And let’s not forget poor Hermey and Rudolph who felt like misfits while trying to assemble a Merry Christmas.

Perhaps, you are struggling this year to put together a Merry Christmas.

This season try following the instructions to assemble a Merry Christmas.

If assembled correctly, what you build will stay with you the entire year.

So, if you are having trouble assembling a Merry Christmas, why not stop and read the instructions this year?