-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine --
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
December 16, 2007
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/31/ -------------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
The Inflatable Christmas, by Tom Norvell
One of the holiday decorations that has literally popped up on the
lawns of neighborhoods throughout our community, and I suspect around
the nation, is the inflatable. These inflatables declare with
unmistakable fashion the coming of Christmas.
In close proximity of our home, one can see an inflatable Santa, an
inflated Rudolph, an inflatable Frosty the Snowman that stands fifteen
feet tall and bounces in the breeze, and an inflated Merry Mickey
Christmas. Some of these decorations have lights and some do not. Some
even have fake snow falling and swirling. On one lawn, a passerby can
see Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus and at least one of the Magi safely
enclosed in a colorful plastic bubble that lights up at night.
It's inflatable Christmas. Hmmm. An interesting concept.
The inflatable Christmas is full of air. There is not much to it, at
least not much of substance. It's decorative and is totally dependent
upon air to make it appear as anything more than a piece of trash on
the lawn. Pull the plug, and these inflatables collapse.
The inflatable Christmas is for show. Drive through these neighborhoods
in the daylight hours and these same displays usually lay flat and
lifeless on the ground. Empty. Deflated.
The inflatable Christmas is temporary. Like most Christmas decorations,
the inflatable Christmas is seasonal. Some displays will come down on
Christmas Day. Some will be packed away the day after Christmas. Some
will remain in tact for a week or so through New Year's Day. Most,
however, are completely out of sight by mid-January -- except for those
whose masters choose to leave their lights up all year, but only plug
them in around Christmas, but surely even their inflatables will have
to be put away when the lawn mower comes out.
The inflatable Christmas can be a reminder of a more serious condition:
the inflatable Christian.
The inflatable Christian is full of air. Not much content. Not much on
the inside. Not much real conviction and very little substance. No
depth. On the surface, they look good. Bright. Cheerful. Exciting.
Colorful. However, they are filled by what is light and air.
Let's live the life ... the real life!
The inflatable Christian is only about the show. Just look at and
admire them. Praise them for what appears to be really nice, but don't
look on the inside. Appreciate them from a distance, but don't get too
close or you may be surprised, disappointed, or discouraged.
The inflatable Christian is temporary. They only appear on special
occasions. They are not around during the dark days of winter or the
dry days of summer. During those times, they're busy with what the
surrounding world says are the important things. However, when the
season is right and the message is pleasing, they show up ... dressed
up, smiling, and looking good for the occasion.
The real Christmas and the real follower of Christ are not made of
plastic and can not be deflated by simply pulling a plug. The original
Christmas was real and a genuine follower of Jesus is solid in any
season. The original Christmas has meaning and a real Christian is
consistent in their commitment in public and private.
Jesus may have had inflatable Christmas and inflatable Christians in
mind when He described the religious people of his day -- the inflated
religious folks -- with terms like, "Everything they do is done for
others to see ... hypocrites ... blind guides ... whitewashed tombs" (Matthew
23).
We have a choice of what kind of Christian we will be and what kind of
Christmas we will have. Let's enjoy the season to the fullest. Let's
remember the true meaning. Let's celebrate the story. Let's share the
joy. Even more, let's live the life ... the real life, not the inflated
one.
---------
(c) 2007 Tom Norvell <tomnorvell@mac.com>. Used by permission. A
Norvell Note <http://www.anorvellnote.com> is a weekly email
message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!
RELATED LINKS:
* New Things
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200601/20060107_newthings.html
* The Cost of Our Tickets
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200511/20051113_ticket.html
* Smiles and Laughter
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200212/20021227_smiles.html
* A Norvell Note
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071216_inflatable.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
CAPTIVATING: UNVEILING THE MYSTERY OF A WOMAN'S SOUL, by John & Stasi Eldredge
Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the
pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, passionate
lover, or capable home manager. What Wild at Heart did for men, this
book can do for women.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?251
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/
\/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
