Inflatable Faith…

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

–Luke 2:10-11

inflate (synonyms): fill up, billow, expand, amplify, magnify…

May all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; May those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”

–Psalm 70:4

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Today, I’d like to talk about inflatables…you know, those giant inflatable Santas and Grinches and nativity scenes featuring the Simpsons…bobbing and weaving and straining against their tethers in our relentless South Dakota winter wind.

I’ve always been on the fence about them. Are they too tacky? Overly kitschy? Irreverent? Last week I passed several on my way to my “iron sharpens iron” walk with my friend Sheri, and I finally came to a conclusion on that short drive…

I don’t necessarily envision them for MY yard…but…I like them! In fact, I LOVE them! They make me smile! They are so unapologetically FUN!!

Then the next question…how about the people that have, like, a dozen out there? How much is too much? When do you reach overkill?

And I decided…

Dude, if you’re gonna go inflatable, go ALL THE WAY! Don’t hold back, man! More is more (and merrier)! Let it fly…and lean into all kinds of crazy angles!

This made me think (‘cuz my mind works a LITTLE DIFFERENTLY)…every Christmas is different…

We have “lean years” and we have “fat years.” One season, we are apart (or worse, quarantined), and the next, we marvel at everyone being able to meet up. Some years there is crippling loss, an empty chair, tears; in others, newborns, newlyweds, new beginnings. I’ve had all those Christmas’s, and I know you have, too.

This year, frankly, my Christmas is a little of all of the above, but regardless of the “kind of Christmas” I am in, in ANY year, Jesus is ALWAYS there.

So…I am approaching this Christmas with “inflatable faith.”

I’m gonna let my light and color shine! I’m gonna have a faith that’s goofy, full of silly cheer and boundless joy, a faith that is evident and over the top, that tilts precipitously in the stormy gusts of life but keeps bouncing back. A faith like hundreds of inflatables, so bright you can see my front lawn from space! A faith, a Christmas, a life, where He is magnified!

Yeah.

This Christmas I celebrate the gift of Jesus…

His birth…that brought us hope…

His life…that showed us how it’s done…

His sacrifice…that freed us and gave us salvation.

A gift of Good News I will continue to share…

With inflatable faith.