The Walk His Way team thought it would be fun to take a little stroll down memory lane this Christmas season. Please enjoy our newest mini-series, Christmas Revisited, a collection of devotionals from years past that we hope will remind, comfort, and encourage you as you walk through this holiday season.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing…” Philippians 2:14

Bah, Humbug!

 Christmas Revisited

I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a Scrooge during the holiday season (though others might), but I do admit that it’s not my favorite time of the year. The crazy busyness of it all is stressful for me. I’m not near enough to my family to spend Christmas with them, and I confess the frenzied consumerism bothers me in a world where there’s not enough for so many.

One highlight for me is that every year I take part in our church’s Christmas parties at Sugar Pine and Ishi fire camps (which are canceled in 2020 for pandemic-related safety). For so many of these inmates, we are the only way they are going to hear about the love Jesus has for them. You’d be surprised at how many of them have never heard the real story of Jesus’ birth!

One of the things we do is sing Christmas carols with the inmates. Quite a few years ago, it was decided that one of the songs we would do is Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. I confess, I was not at ALL happy to learn we’d be doing it. Not because I’m so spiritual that I think we can’t do fun, silly songs, but because, to my way of thinking, there’s not one good thing about it. It is as annoying as annoying can be! In spite of my loud protests, the song stayed. And much to my chagrin, as it turns out, it’s always one of the more popular songs that we do. During the chorus, the inmates REALLY get into it! One can’t help but smile at their joy.

A few years ago we were at Ishi Camp, doing our thing. Next up was that awful Grandma song. I kept a smile plastered to my face, determined to not show my dislike of it. Wait for it, here’s the chorus—keep smiling! I happened to look up at that point, and my eyes fell upon a young man who was singing with gusto. His face shone with unabashed joy as he swayed along to the music. In that moment, the Lord showed me who he had been as a little boy, and how much He loved him still. I completely choked up! I still wonder if I’m the only person who’s ever gotten so touched in the middle of Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer that they started to cry.

Suffice it to say, the Lord can and does use anything He wants to reach His children, and I have no right to grumble about it. Have I learned to like the song? No, but my days of complaining about having to do it ended that night. In fact, I don’t have to do it; I get to do it.

Father, thank You for the lessons You so lovingly give us. Thank You for using the likes of me to further Your kingdom. May we be open to the things You want to show us, and above everything, help us to reflect You during this holiday season, and beyond. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Randy Brooks, 1978, Epic