Deflated Santa and Dead Reindeer?

One of the many things I love to do around Christmas time is drive around aimlessly to look at the decorations. It's one of the few times of year that I don't mind wasting gas. I love looking at the lights, some perfectly arranged around their houses, others a complete mess. I love criticizing the types of lights the people use, little bulbs versus big ones...blue icycles versus white...and so on.

Well tonight as I was driving on my way home from work, I noticed a blow-up Santa that was partially deflated and fallen to the ground. And I thought to myself...yeah! That's how it should be, right?! Then, less than 2 minutes away, was a lit up reindeer that had fallen into a bush. And I thought to myself...yeah! That's how it should be, right?!

After watching the Nappanee Christmas Parade on tv the other day, I came to the conclusion that our town isn't as focused on the real meaning of Christmas as everyone thinks we are. For as long as I've been alive, it seems, Nappanee has had this huge reputation of being a very religious town, which in most cases is very true. But looking around, everything is rapidly changing. Our first year parade was not filled with Marys and Josephs and Baby Jesus' or even angels...Santa was taking over the parade. Santa and his Mrs. Clause, and their little elves, and their sleigh, and even a real reindeer! This isn't the real meaning of Christmas. Unfortunately I fear that many of those little children will never even know the true meaning behind this holiday. It's so sad :(

Silence

Does He say 'yes'?

Does He say 'no'?

Does He say 'maybe later'?

Does He say 'I can't'?

--None of the above.



There is silence.


I'm still waiting.