Where is baby Jesus?? It’s like he’s been kidnapped, by Frosty the Snowman. Someone send out an Amber Alert! Child abduction in a one-horse open sleigh!
I think it’s time to even the playing field. So today, we are going to talk about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, in church. (This is what happens when Ed goes on vacation.)
Just to be clear, Rudolph does not appear anywhere in the Bible. The Rudolph song is not inspired by God, not even close. And yet, by the common grace of God given to all mankind, we do see some parallels between the story of Rudolph. . . and Paul’s admonitions to community in Romans 12.
One. Romans 12 says, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Do not be proud, be willing to associate with those of low position, do not be conceited. But what did the “other reindeer” do? They looked down on Rudolph, didn’t let him join their reindeer games. We are called to be different from the “other reindeer.”
Two. Romans 12 says, in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts – one person is a leg, one person is an arm, and one person is a nose. Maybe even a red shiny one! Just like Rudolph used his nose to serve Santa, we are called to use our gifts to serve the church.
Three. Romans 12 says, Bless those who persecute you. Don’t repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge. Once Rudolph became a hero, he could have said, It’s payback time! I’m leaving you losers in the fog! But he didn’t do that, and we shouldn’t do that either.
So the next 57 times you hear Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer this year… Hijack that sleigh for the gospel! Think about Romans 12:
Don’t be proud,
use your gift,
don’t take revenge.
Let’s follow the example of the Lord Jesus, who humbled himself and came as a baby to save us, while we were still sinners and enemies of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment