Rescued Misfits and Life After Christmas

The hoopla of Christmas is over.

A celebration’s end often leaves us falling off the edge of a holiday high.

Do you know the feeling? Days spent in hustle and bustle. Gifts chosen and wrapped. Food prepared and devoured. Decorations glittered and dazzled.

Like a cup of tea, family gatherings filled us to the brim with glee.

But the celebrating, the hope-infused wishes, and the giving don’t have to go away. The true meaning of the Christmas story continues on to eternity.

I love stories—heart-felt stories, Christmas stories, both make-believe and real. Storylines stirring our long-awaited dreams.

So I’m a fan of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Because in the core message we find rescued misfits.

The book and movie’s storyline melts the heart of every boy and girl. Still further, adults escape the real world of heartache for moments of happy endings and “hoorays!”

Misfits Wanted, Therefore Chosen

Rudolph’s the poster-child for reindeer misfits.

The other reindeer called him names. Being different seemed alright until words spoken out loud preached “different” is not acceptable.

I understand misfits and their dilemma. Perhaps you relate to a misfit story.

In the same manner as placing Christmas presents on a wish-list, we often hope for heart-wishes to come true. Rudolph wished for acceptance, to be wanted and chosen.

Yet, no longer able to withstand the taunts and rejection, Rudolph runs away. And on his journey he befriends two kindred-spirits also labeled “different.”

The three newfound friends find themselves on the island of misfit toys. How fitting. And only allowed to spend the night if they promised to coax Santa into finding a permanent home for the toys.

But Rudolph’s bright nose caused a bit of a nuisance since the Abominable Snow Monster spotted them. So Rudolph left the island to ensure safety for his friends.

Remember the end of the story? Rudolph made good on his promise. He brings Santa back to pick up the toys on Christmas Eve. And the red-nosed reindeer even guides Santa’s sleigh on the foggy flight.

Misfit toys, wanted and chosen, were given to jubilant boys and girls. Each child excited to receive them.

You know what? It’s the same in God’s Christmas story. The Christ child wants and chooses us. Jesus is jubilant to receive us to himself.

Misfits Loved, Therefore Treasured  

Can you relate to misfit stories? Have you been abandoned? Left on the sidelines? Excluded? Walked out on? Made fun of? Felt unlovable?

At the center of the real Christmas story is love…love for misfits. Jesus Christ came as God Incarnate. But He understood rejection. And Jesus experienced abandonment. People labeled Christ different.

Jesus loves misfits.

Look at John 3:16 in the Amplified Bible.

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

#Jesus loves us. He treasures every spiritual misfit...just as I am and just as you are. #love Share on X

Misfits Rescued, Therefore Kept

Born broken by sin, and tattered by the world’s injustices and heartaches, spiritual misfits need a rescuer.

God’s Son came to rescue every misfit the first Christmas night. #Jesus #Savior Share on X

God made good on His promise from prophecy years before. He came in the flesh to save us, our moments of “hoorays!”

You see, God keeps us forever.

Even when #Christmas is over, #God keeps us. No re-gifting, exchanges, refunds, or collecting dust on God's shelf. Share on X

Christ came to choose, love, and rescue each of us. The birth of God’s Son is only the first chapter of the Christmas story.

The earthly ministry of Jesus coupled with His crucifixion and resurrection tell us the rest of the story. To authentically celebrate God’s Christmas story, we connect it to God’s Easter story. Two heart-felt stories weaved together.

A storyline resonating throughout the world to all misfits. “I, Jesus Christ, died for you because you’re a keeper.”

Jesus arrived in this world to find a permanent home for us in the next world. Yet, don’t miss this. Christ gives us abundant life now and it starts the moment He rescues us.

Every man, woman, and child from all walks of life across the face of the earth:

• Wanted.
• Chosen.
• Loved.
• Treasured.
• Rescued.
• Kept.

Yes, Christmas is over. But we’re still rescued misfits with a story of life and a message of hope.

A story that melts hearts. And it lives on when misfits become the key storytellers.

Images courtesy of Adobe Spark.

Post link-ups:

Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire,

Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday & Crystal Storms/ Heart Encouragement.

© 2017 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved