Reindeer Games

(Recommended reading:  Romans 12)

A few days ago while running errands, listening to Christmas music on my radio, Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer came on.  I’ve heard this song probably thousands of times during my lifetime.  As a whimsical child-pleasing song I normally don’t pay much attention to it.  However, for some reason some of the words grabbed my attention.  To refresh your memory here’s the words to the song:

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen., but do you recall?  The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names; they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll go down in history.

When I thought about the line that talked about Rudolph’s nose – how it was very shiny – so much so it glowed, I thought about how we all often come in contact with people that are different from us.  It may be something physical we can plainly see – like in the case of Rudolph.  But it might be something not so obvious, like personality issues, or differences in moral beliefs or social status, etc.  Sometimes those differences make us uncomfortable and we may find ourselves turning our back on those people so that we don’t have to deal with the issue.  

Adults can be bad enough in those kinds of reactions, but children can be downright cruel – just as the reindeer were in this case – All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names; they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.  Blatant ridicule and rejection!  They thought highly of themselves because they viewed themselves as “normal” while viewing someone that was “different” as less.  We need to remember that we are better together.

“As God’s messenger I give each of you God’s warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.  God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.”  (Romans 12:3-6a TLB)

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on the outside looking in, so to speak when it comes to this kind of situation.  My entire life, I’ve tended to be “chubby” and I can remember as a child being teased at school by other children – taunted with the words “fatty, fatty!”  I can also remember a friend of mine that wore glasses and other kids teasing him calling him “four eyes, four eyes!”  Those words can wound a child’s heart and can linger in the psyche for a very long time.  Rejection is a powerful thing.

Then on a dime, in this story, things change:  Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?  Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll go down in history.  Rudolph’s worth was suddenly expressed by Santa and then utilized for the benefit of all!  Those that had been teasing him and rejecting him changed their tune really fast – their jobs depended on him now.  NOW he had worth to them!  

“Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.”  (Romans 12:9-11 TLB)

No matter how often or how badly you’ve been rejected, if someone – anyone – sees and expresses your worth, it can be life-changing.  It might be a parent, a teacher, a friend or even a stranger that lets you know that you are somebody and that you have value.  Then because one person’s view of you changes, maybe the ones that saw you through different eyes change their opinion of you as well.  But when that happens, does the pain of the unkind treatment and words from the past just fade away because those that taunted you have suddenly changed their view of you?  Not necessarily.  There are several potential reactions to a sudden change of acceptance after being rejected.  

There are those that will have an inflated view of themselves when suddenly thrust into the limelight as a person of worth.  They themselves might adopt the idea of rejecting those that made their life miserable – in other words – payback.  Others may still be so wounded from the past that they take on their new role, but do so in such a meek way that they have difficulty believing this new role is legit and can’t accept the acceptance – they do their job then fade into the background.  Then others will be grateful for the acceptance.  They put the past hurts that have been inflicted behind them, offer forgiveness to all that wounded them and then step into the role that was intended to be theirs from the beginning – they take the high road and fulfill their destiny.

Of course, that third option is one that we should all strive for – it’s not necessarily easy – but it’s the Christian way.  “If someone mistreats you because you are a Christian, don’t curse him; pray that God will bless him.”  “Never pay back evil for evil.”  “Don’t let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good.”  (Romans 12:14 & 17a & 21 TLB)

I pray that during this holiday season, God will open my eyes that from this time forward I will see only the good in people and know that they have worth and are valuable – and that I never again will be judgmental for any reason.  Lofty goals but possible with God’s help.

Written by Karran Martin – December 9, 2023

[All emphasis is mine]