Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose and if you ever saw it... you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say: "Rudolph with your nose so bright won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" Then how the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee: "Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer you'll go down in history."

In Rudolph’s story…we see our own. Especially as children and teens, we struggle to find our way. We juggle embracing our individualism and “fitting in” with the crowd. Those who don’t play along, pay the price.

We're a couple of misfits. Why am I such a misfit We're a couple of misfits! Why am I such a misfit? I am not just a nit wit! Seems I don't fit in. We may be different from the rest. Who decides the test of what is really best?

Rudolph, Hermie, and Yukon stumble onto an entire island of “misfit” toys. We're on the Island of Misfit Toys. Here we don't want to stay… If we're on the Island of Unwanted Toys we’ll miss all the fun with the girls and the boys when Christmas Day is here... the most wonderful day of the year.

to go and see this wonder personally. Luke 2: 8-20 Bethlehem area shepherds are told by an angel that the Messiah has been born in their town and are invited to go and see this wonder personally.

Isaiah 56: 3 & 8 (ESV) 3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,     “The Lord will surely separate me from His people.” 8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to Him     besides those already gathered.”

Highlights from Rudolph & Shepherds * Both were outcasts from their communities * Both were called into service by invitation * Were chosen to serve for their uniqueness * Both went down in history ------------------------------------------------------------- * Santa was forced to turn to Rudolph for help. God delights to reach out to the “misfits”.

If you are feeling like a “misfit” in some way, please know that God longs to rescue you from that identity…calling you His beloved child! Christmas is a perfect time to “come home” to God the Father, through His Son… Jesus.