Yes, dead Santas!
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Our neighborhood was brightly lit and beautifully decorated for Christmas. Two weeks later dead Santas were everywhere. The air removed, the inflatables collapsed, some a crumpled heap in the front yard, some a wrinkled mass of nylon across the sidewalk.
I thought about our hopes and dreams for the New Year. I’ve been careful not to “resolve” anything, but a very specific list of to-dos keeps coming to mind: a second children’s book, a speaking engagement in Phoenix, others to follow (?), ten pounds. How could I make sure those hopes and dreams didn’t become a crumpled heap, a wrinkled mass on my walk through 2025?
Turning the corner, two inflatables were still standing in the middle of all those dead Santas: baby Jesus in a manger scene and the Grinch. Hmmm, what a little air will do.
Yes, some of our hopes and dreams may start to crumple and wrinkle this year. But I have no doubt that a little time with God will be the air that keeps us standing tall—whether it’s January, promise and possibility ahead of us or February, winter’s bitter cold surrounding us.
The story of the Grinch ends with his heart changed and a new beginning.
That baby in the manger changed all our hearts and gave us all a new beginning. Every morning.
Oh, Lord, great is your faithfulness. Your steadfast love never ceases. Your mercies never end. They are new every morning. Be with us, we pray, as we embrace the newness of this new year and each day.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Deanna is the author of four books, Fruit of My Spirit, Signs in Life, Bouquet of Wisdom, and a children’s book, “Grandma, You Found Me!”
