Deck the Homes with Boughs of Inflatables

Casually sitting with a group at breakfast, one of the guys was bursting with pride to share about his young grandson’s (now, 8) Christmas spirit. When he was just 4-years-old he started asking for blow up Christmas decorations as gifts. Four years later, that’s all he still asks for again. He handles everything about the set-up with the unpacking, arranging, assembling with many extension cords and timers. He doesn’t want help. His grandfather was bursting with pride for his brilliant grandson’s abilities. I was proud with him, but REALLY – I couldn’t help but think “Why inflatables?”

I don’t want to sound like the Grinch but, I’ll admit inflatables sort of bug me — especially when they lie flat on yards in sad holiday litter before becoming erect each night to symbolize Christmas cheer. The inflatables phase has grown in popularity on people’s yards more frequently than ever before. My grandson and I drove around and we saw Frosty in a boat and Santa on an obese T-Rex with a goofy grin, a dragon breathing fire, Snoopy hanging out with M&M’s. And, yes, there was a blow-up Holy Family with baby Jesus engorged with air in his inflated cradle. Lord, have mercy!

Seriously, I get it. Different strokes for different folks and the kids love it and cars do slow down to take a gander at those hot air creatures! If your vibe is inflatables – carry on, good and faithful servants! But I know the idea for this inflatable blog pitch isn’t so much about the ones in our yards, but in our lives. An inflatable Christmas is just temporary for a short season. But what about “inflatable” Christians?

Those would be the ones who talk a great talk. On the surface they look and sound pretty good. Their car has a “I love Jesus” bumper sticker on it and they wear a cross necklace. They may be bright and cheery on the outside, but on the inside, they are empty and easily deflated. The inflatable Christian rarely opens their Bible for building up their faith muscles. And, if we get a little closer to them, we find out their faith is just temporary, like those blow-up inflatables.

I mentioned in a blog a few days ago about those who speak about God feeling so distant from them. I suggested that it wasn’t God who left them; they left Him. He is right where He always was. They haven’t cultivated their faith. Rather than sounding “judgey”, I pray that we become welcoming to the Holy Spirit who nudges us toward a daily walk of faith – not just temporary.

Perhaps it’s time to discern what our commitment of faith really is about today. I am challenged about the importance of Christians talking about their faith this Christmas and not in a preachy or self-righteous way. We need to show that faith in Christ is more than hot air, that it’s not something to be put away when not needed.

I’m also challenged to tell people more about the real Jesus, the Word made flesh Who came to live on earth, to die and rise again to bring us everlasting life. I don’t want my life to be like a “blow-up” inflatable — temporarily letting my light shine and then deflating when adversity, fear and worry come. It’s easy to be on a high with God when we are plugged into His power outlet of grace and mercy. I want to be plugged in 24/7 – living out loud with faith and trust in He Who is our POWER source!

Soon all those inflatables and the light strands on our lawns will be shelved until next year. But not so with keeping Christmas in our hearts every day of the year. Christ has saved us by His birth because he came to die for us. There is so much more to the story than the Nativity and the magic of the manger story. We must fill up ourselves with God’s grace and Word and be blown up as a light for the world to see Jesus in us shining brightly.