And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
Did you know that reindeer hooves are like the word of the Lord? It’s true! Isn’t that crazy? Let’s look at the three ways they are similar.
1- The four toes of a reindeer are large and can spread out to act like snowshoes, distributing the animal’s weight over a large area so they can walk across snow without sinking in.
The gospel is to be spread out wide to all the nations so they won’t sink in sin but be raised to a relationship with Jesus.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2- Reindeer hooves have sharp edges to break snow and ice as they dig for vegetation, their food source.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and Spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The word of God is the sharpest thing there is, teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, convicting our hearts, and causing changes in our life to align us more and more each day to Christ.
3- The remarkable feet of the reindeer are fantastic paddles allowing them to swim across any barrier to their migration path.
All barriers to our life path following God are destroyed with the gospel, perfectly executed by Jesus when tempted by Satan.
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ [b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ [c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ [d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ [e]”
If you are lucky enough to see Santa’s reindeer this Christmas eve, remember their unique feet and that we have a unique God.
He has given us his word, which is everything we need to know to spread the gospel, grow in sanctification, and demolish barriers the enemy puts in our way!
SURPRISE PRESENT
Let’s have some reindeer fun!
First, we have the secular Christmas classic, “Santa got run over by a reindeer.”
[I want to stress this song is secular, and therefore may have references that are not supportive to your family’s journey, so here are the lyrics for your review, if you are not familiar with the song.]
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
She’d been drinking too much eggnog
And we begged her not to go
But she forgot her medication
And she staggered out the door into the snow
When we found her Christmas morning
At the scene of the attack
She had hoof-prints on her forehead
And incriminating Claus marks on her back
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
He’s been taking this so well
See him in there watching football
Drinking beer and playing cards with cousin Mel
It’s not Christmas without Grandma
All the family’s dressed in black
And we just can’t help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts
Or send them back (send them back)
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
And the pudding made of fig
And the blue and silver candles
That would just have matched the hair on grandma’s wig
I’ve warned all my friends and neighbors
Better watch out for yourselves
They should never give a license
To a man who drives a sleigh
And plays with elves
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Merry Christmas
Next, we have reindeer crafts!
Can you believe there are costume pieces that are hooves on Amazon?! If you need this, I got your back!
You could make a version yourself with brown and black mittens:
1-Cut both sets of mittens in half and sew the black tip on the brown mitten base.
2-For added detail, sew together a small dip in the center to show the separation of the toes.
3- A pair of black shoes covered in a brown sock with the toe cut out would suffice as the back hooves.
Green pom pons can be ordered and placed in mesh bags or snack size zip locs to give to friends as a fun gift or party favor!
I bet you have never received reindeer moss before at Christmas! Me either!