Why Rudolph's World Scares Me

It just isn't the Christmas season in my blog unless I re-share this post from 2006. I need reminding of stuff like this. 

(And I'm not just talking Rudolph's World, either.)


******

Does anyone else see this?


The movie, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer bothers me. My kitchen radio plays this song and I roll my eyes and frown.

I mean, think about it. Here's this adorably-cute reindeer who was born with a bright, red nose. As if he could help it! And suddenly he grows up, goes to reindeer school and gets ridiculed (dare I say bullied?) by his intolerant, bratty little schoolmates just because his bright, cherry-red nose isn't small, dark and boring like everyone else's.

And because of that one (tiny) difference, he's scorned. The majority don't take the time to discover that, really, Rudolph is a darn nice kid, uh, reindeer. He loves his parents, he's sweet and just wants to be accepted like the other deer at reindeer school. 

But no, that's asking too much. Even his teachers laugh at him (shame on them!).

But then, poof! Suddenly, Christmas Eve rolls in all foggy-like and since Santa can't see to drive his sleigh, Christmas is nearly cancelled. But then someone remembers that goofy little kid, Rudolph, the one with the red lantern nose, and Rudolph is whisked to the head of the reindeer pack. Christmas is saved, thanks to that odd reindeer who, just the previous week, was considered a royal loser.

Oh but now--now!--Rudolph is a hero. And then how the reindeer 'loved him' (if that's love, I'll take spaghetti). They even shouted-out with glee, because of course, now, Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer is going down in history.

But only after he proved himself a useful member of society. Only after his 'disability' saved Christmas for all of mankind. Only after Rudolph became a valuable asset, a famous reindeer and a credit to his family and the entire world at large.

Give me a break.

Right there is the kind of stuff which is stressing us out and making us appreciation-hungry nuts. The fact is, Rudolph was valuable before that foggy Christmas Eve. He was a creation of God, a son, a friend, a member of woodland society and just a sweet little deer. And here is the truth:




Today God would have sent Jesus to die for you, even if you were the only person on Earth.

Today God loves you just as you are, famous or unknown. For you are not unknown to Him.

Today, even if you overcame all your weaknesses, God wouldn't love you any better than He does right this minute.

Today, if Jesus dwells in your heart, God is thrilled that you are His child. He'd never trade you for all the perfect, got-it-all together, famous, Christmas-saving people in the whole World.

Really.

And I hope you'll remember that.

*********

"It’s important to know not only who you are, but who you’re not. If you don’t know this, you’ll spend your life trying to be something that you’re not. When you go through life trying to be something you’re not, you’ll be frustrated. There’s no grace; it’s uphill, always a struggle. Don’t compete, don’t compare; be you."   --- Joel Osteen

******

Oh, and after my last post, it was said that sometimes we must push back. And yes! God does ask us to do that sometimes. But He wouldn't have us do it with sarcasm and snarkiness which only makes people mad and dig their heels in tighter. 

At least, that's what I believe.


******