What I am about to admit to may cost me some street cred and raise a few eyebrows, but I sat on my couch for ninety minutes last night with my dog Cash and watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. There, I admitted it, let the chips fall where they may, I can handle it.

It was the original version, the one with Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman narrating the show while picking on banjo, singing classic Christmas songs while sliding around the North Pole. Silver and Gold is still one of my favorites.

When I was young and believed in Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on television once a year. If you missed it, you had to wait an entire year to see it again. There were no VCR’s, iPhones, Internet, or Blockbusters to go rent it. You got one shot, that was it. My entire holiday season revolved around when Rudolph appeared on television. It was an epic evening and watching was a family event, and a great memory.

It has been since my children were young, decades ago, that I have watched Rudolph, so I was excited to see it again. As I sat there, I was struck by how many relatable storylines there are in it. You all know how the story ends, Rudolph saves Christmas, but leading up to that moment, life happened to a lot of characters.

Rudolph’s dad, Donner, a hugely successful flying reindeer in his own right, was the overbearing Little League parent who was willing to do whatever it took to be certain his son not only made the team but started at shortstop. Even if he had to humiliate himself and his son in the process to ensure he played in the reindeer games.

Rudolph had to be the best, nothing less was acceptable. When he failed, Donner blocked him out. Not knowing that what made Rudolph so different was actually what would make him so special one day.

Rudolph’s coach was no better, kicking Rudolph off the team and not allowing him to play in the reindeer games simply because he was a little unusual. Even though Rudolph could fly better than the others, he got the boot because he did not fit the norm. Being closed-minded is easier than being open-minded because it takes much less effort and thought.

Now let’s not forget about Hermey the Elf. He hated making toys like the other elves and wanted to be a dentist. He received zero support from Boss Elf and was laughed at by his co-workers in Santa’s shop. He ended up slipping out of a window in the middle of the night with his Dental book in tow because he refused to be what others wanted him to be. He didn’t fit in, so instead of conforming, he ventured out on his own to pursue his dream of working on teeth.

Shortly after Rudolph’s secret was made public at the Reindeer Games, he too felt like he no longer belonged. He let his dad down, got kicked off the team, was teased by the other bucks and hacked off Santa.

Hermey the Elf left Christmas Town because he wanted to pursue his dream, Rudolph left Christmas Town because he was made to feel worthless. Both felt like they did not belong, and as fate would have it, the two misfits met on their way out of town. They agreed together that they didn’t need anybody else and would look out for each other. That was enough.

Now maybe I drank too much eggnog while watching Rudolph last night, but the theme of acceptance, resilience and forgiveness was clear. Rudolph was seeking acceptance- cue Island of Misfit Toys – and Hermey was being resilient. Both left town for good reasons, and when they returned home, Santa, Boss Elf, and Donner all asked them for forgiveness.

I understand the true meaning of Christmas; hope was born in a manger all those years ago and He is the reason for the season. But sitting on my couch last night watching that silly show, I was reminded that my Christmas Story never really ends. It works its way into my life 365 days a year. Acceptance, resilience, and forgiveness are all part of my Bethlehem, and it took a reindeer with a light bulb for a nose to remind me of that.

Merry Christmas.

This will be my last column for a while. Taking a break. I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

Thank you –

***

Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to thowey63@gmail.com.