Pink Reindeer ?

You know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen.
Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen.
But have you met,
the most glitzy reindeer yet?

It's Sparkles, the breast cancer awareness reindeer!

Because nothing says Christmas like a pink reindeer.

Except maybe a pink reindeer in a banana costume.

Or Sparkles, decked out in camo?

Oh, so none of that screams Merry Christmas to you, either?

If you know me at all or read my first blog post, you know I'm not a fan of pink. I hate the color and as I've confessed, the constant presence of breast cancer awareness merchandise irritates me. I'm very aware of cancer. I don't need to be made aware when I'm buying groceries. At that moment I would, however, appreciate a reminder to pick up bread and lunch meat. We're already good on the cancer thing, thank you.

Now Christmas decorations? About breast cancer awareness? Aren't we missing the point...about CHRISTmas? Shouldn't we focus our decorating on raising awareness of the birth of Jesus Christ? Maybe I'm bitter because so little is done to find a cure for orphan cancers, or maybe my sister just completely overdid my childhood room with pink, but this reindeer got me worked up. A bit.


I want to be able to look at Christmas lights and focus on the joy of the holidays. Not the challenges that face us every other day of the year. I want to celebrate the Savior that came to give rest to those who are weary and burdened. I don't want to be reminded of sickness and death in pretty pink but of the One who came to conquer death so that we all may live in eternal glory. Sins forgiven. The Son of God who gave sight to the blind, who made the lame walk.



...so I dressed my neighbor's reindeer as a banana.



My bonus daughter asked if I was worried that some might think we're giving the middle finger to breast cancer. Hmm. Shouldn't we all want to give the middle finger to breast cancer? and prostate cancer, lung cancer or sarcomas that attack random connective tissue? Yes! Let's give it all the middle finger. Not commercialize it and wrap it in pretty ribbon.


And then let's move on down the block, sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Joy to the World" to others in the neighborhood, drink hot chocolate and praise God that he sent us the sweet baby Jesus so that we can be forgiven for giving the middle finger. And tormenting a little girl's pink reindeer.