Christmas is here!
When I think back to previous Christmas Days, several memories come to mind. Of course I enjoy being with family, opening gifts, and eating delicious family dinners. Those are the “usual” activities that happen each year. No, I think it’s those unexpected unusual experiences that are most memorable.
I recall as a young single youth pastor I was once approached by some pretty college ladies in our church who were putting on a special Christmas event. Well, they already had my attention, so I was already going to say yes to almost anything. Somehow they talked me and two other single guys into dressing up like “Alvin & the Chipmunks” and singing AND DANCING a karaoke version of the “Chipmunk Christmas” song.
You have GOT to be kidding me – I actually agreed to do this!
So anyhoo, we practiced with the girl who was the director of the evening. She went through the choreography and song with us a few nights before. I was so embarrassed! How could we have allowed ourselves to do this?
Well, the night we dreaded finally came – and soon we were next on the docket to do our routine on stage – live!
I will never forget the look on my two buddies faces (I think I played Alvin) – There they were in full chipmunk costume, with their faces painted to look like Simon and Theodore, staring at me with this look as if they were saying, “I cant believe we were stupid enough to agree to this nonense!”
The song began and a ROAR of LAUGHTER came from the audience! They soon figured out it was us dressed as the Chipmunks. I wanted to crawl in a hole and stay their for a few months! But as we continued, the crowd started to sing along and cheer and clap and we were now really rockin’ it!
Well we went through the entire song and got alot of laughs and shouts and screams. It wasn’t so bad after all. We were the hit of the night!
Turns out many people remembered that crazy performance for years after that. I have had more people than I would have imagined stop me and tell me about how that memory has really endured in their minds. I don’t know how it became a fond memory instead of a nightmare, but there you have it. I do know, however, that I will never subject myself to a repeat performance this side of heaven!
But I do think of this memory with fondness in spite of it all because I saw how it bonded many people together.
We know that Christmas is supposed to be about giving rather than receiving. But I will never cease to be amazed how often I receive so much more when I do give to others. Sometimes that gift can even be a karaoke version of “The Chipmunk’s Christmas Song” in full costume, or something like it.
And when we give of ourselves to others, we truly let the reason for the season have the spotlight – we give because God first gave to us.
I pray that this Christmas season will be full of opportunities for you to receive as you give!
Merry Christmas!
Jeff
jeffsaxton 