What do Rudolph, Acceptance, and Miracles Do Happen Have in Common?

How about “tolerance and perseverance” overcoming “adversity?”

Photo by Jill Wellington from Freerange Stock

“You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen,
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

…

Then how the reindeer loved him,
As they shouted out with glee,
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’
You’ll go down in history!”

Words and Music by Johnny Marks (1949)

Every time I hear Gene Autry’s rendition of “Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer,” I can’t help but smile.

The Rudolph story is a marvelous story about individuality, acceptance of people for who they are, and the miracles that can occur by being yourself.

I didn’t realize until I was reading Ace Collins’ book, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, that there is a true sad story behind Rudolph. Collins’ book and my curiosity to learn more led to this article.

“Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer” didn’t start out as a song but as a poem to support a Christmas promotional effort to sell…